Job Title: Director of Land Acquisition
Location: Irvine, CA
Department: Land Acquisition
Reports to: VP of Land Acquisition / Division President
Job Summary:
We are seeking a strategic and results-driven Director of Land Acquisition to lead our land acquisition efforts for a production homebuilder based in Irvine, CA. The ideal candidate will be responsible for identifying, analyzing, and securing land for residential development, ensuring alignment with the company’s growth objectives and production targets. This role will involve sourcing new land opportunities, negotiating land deals, and building strong relationships with property owners, brokers, municipalities, and other key stakeholders. The Director of Land Acquisition will be instrumental in shaping the future development pipeline of the company.
Key Responsibilities:
- Land Sourcing & Acquisition:
- Identify potential land opportunities for future residential development through market research, networking, and strategic outreach.
- Evaluate land acquisition opportunities by conducting feasibility studies, due diligence, market analysis, and financial analysis to ensure profitable development projects.
- Negotiation & Contracting:
- Lead negotiations with landowners, brokers, developers, and local municipalities to acquire land at optimal terms.
- Structure purchase agreements, joint ventures, and land contracts that align with the company’s financial and legal requirements.
- Due Diligence:
- Oversee the due diligence process, including environmental assessments, zoning and entitlement reviews, utility availability, and soil testing.
- Work closely with internal teams (engineering, legal, finance) to ensure that all potential risks are mitigated and that land meets development standards.
- Market Research & Strategic Planning:
- Continuously monitor local market trends, competitive activity, and demographic data to assess land values and future growth opportunities.
- Develop and execute a comprehensive land acquisition strategy that aligns with the company’s long-term goals for market expansion and community development.
- Financial Analysis & Budgeting:
- Analyze the financial viability of potential land acquisitions, including detailed proforma modeling and return on investment (ROI) projections.
- Prepare and present land acquisition packages and recommendations to senior leadership, ensuring alignment with budgetary constraints and financial objectives.
- Entitlement & Approvals:
- Collaborate with local government agencies to navigate entitlement processes, zoning changes, and permitting, ensuring that land is appropriately entitled for residential development.
- Build relationships with city planners, council members, and government officials to facilitate approvals and overcome any regulatory hurdles.
- Stakeholder Management:
- Maintain strong relationships with brokers, developers, landowners, and governmental entities to create a robust pipeline of future land deals.
- Communicate effectively with internal teams (construction, land development, marketing, etc.) to ensure seamless transitions from land acquisition to development.
Qualifications:
- Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in real estate, business, finance, urban planning, or a related field. MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
- Experience:
- Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in land acquisition, real estate development, or related field, ideally within residential homebuilding or land development.
- Demonstrated track record of successfully identifying, negotiating, and closing land deals.
- Skills:
- Deep understanding of the SoCal real estate market, including zoning regulations, entitlement processes, and local government policies.
- Strong negotiation skills with the ability to secure favorable land acquisition deals.
- Analytical mindset with the ability to conduct detailed financial analysis and market research.
- Excellent project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple acquisition projects simultaneously.
- Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with external partners, brokers, and government officials.
- Proficiency in real estate acquisition software and financial modeling tools, as well as Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- Competencies:
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop long-term land acquisition strategies that align with the company’s growth objectives.
- Decision-Making: Confident in making data-driven decisions and presenting recommendations to senior leadership.
- Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead a land acquisition team, delegate responsibilities, and foster collaboration.
- Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to influence both internal and external stakeholders.
Work Environment:
- Location: Based in Irvine/Orange County, with frequent local travel to potential land sites and occasional travel within the region for meetings.
- Field & Office: Split between field visits to prospective land acquisitions and office-based work for research, financial analysis, and reporting.
