Director of Land Acquisition

JOB PURPOSE:

This position is responsible for the planning and directing of division land business including acquisitions, planning, design, entitlement and development. Maintaining excellent communications with appropriate public agencies, utilities, internal organization, and staff members is required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Duties and Responsibilities

Land Acquisition

• Identify opportunities for land and lot acquisition
• Negotiate, acquire and entitle the land necessary to meet company goals and projections; prospect for potential land acquisition opportunities
• Establishes broker/seller relationships
• Analyzes land development proformas
• Handles bond submittals and reimbursements
• Drafts and submits LOIs
• Negotiate and finalize contracts for targeted acquisitions while preforming due diligence tasks and presenting to corporate land committee for approval
• Maintain reports, critical target dates, contract summaries and periodic market analysis
• Network with other builders and developers to maintain market awareness, develop contacts and provide information necessary for the division to be a strong competitor
• Coordinate the activity of engineers, land planners, architects and general contractors in the development of acquired properties
• Coordinate with local, county, state and federal governmental agencies to annex, zone and otherwise secure regulatory approval for projects

Land Development

• Oversees the land development function, strategic objectives and designs methodology to achieve Company goals
• Develops the annual Land department budgets and schedules
• Provides leadership, direction and management of department functions, policies and procedures
• Provides skills and expertise to the division by building, developing, and managing a land development team
• Aligns business plans with organizational objectives
• Establish and foster professional relationships with state, county and city inspectors and officials to maximize productivity of development sites
• This position has sole responsibility for preparing land for lot subdividing by consulting with engineers; soliciting, analyzing, and awarding bids, arranging for land grading, installing streets, curbs and gutters, controlling costs and scrutinizing contracts
• Prepare bid packages and negotiate all land development contracts for this region while overseeing this same function for the company
• Inspect development site to ensure site is progressing according to plan and schedule; maintain a job activity log and produce weekly reports
• Manage development costs; ensure costs are within budget constraints
• Assist with application and securing bond and permits; follow up on bond reductions
• Review and comprehend engineering drawings with emphasis on cost reductions
• Coordinate resolution of land development issues affecting house construction (e.g. structural pads, paving, sediment control, lot balance)
• Resolve and follow-up on development issues when community is closed out
• Maintain and monitor proper subdivision appearance

Land Entitlement

• Manage land purchases through entitlement processes; provide information for and participate in the coordination of land acquisition packages
• Assess site viability and provide information where appropriate
• Interface with homeowner’s association, as necessary

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge and Skills

• A demonstrated ability to lead people and get results through others
• An ability to think ahead and plan over a 1-2-year time span as well as a long range 5-year time frame
• The ability to organize and manage multiple priorities
• Problem analysis/resolution skills at the strategic and functional level
• Evaluation of the staff group structure and team plan for continual improvement of efficiency and effectiveness of the group as well as providing individuals with professional and personal growth
• Must have high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations. Position continually requires demonstrated poise, tact and diplomacy
• Must have knowledge of a variety of computer software applications in word processing and spreadsheets (MSWord, Excel)
• Strong land negotiation and contract skills
• Knowledge of market trends, pricing, growth and supply
• Knowledge of local, county, state and federal regulations
• Broad functional experience in areas of blueprints and specifications, general knowledge of homebuilding financials and systems

Education and Work Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field and minimum 7 years experience within the homebuilding industry with concentration in Land & Entitlement OR equivalent combination of education and/or work experience
• Exposure to residential homebuilding or land development environment is required