Land Acquisition Manager

Matchbuilt - Nashville, TN

Full-time - Mid Level

Nashville, TN

About the position

We are seeking an experienced Land Acquisition & Entitlement Manager to join our client's dynamic homebuilding company in the Nashville, TN market. This role is ideal for professionals with a substantial land acquisition and entitlement management background looking to advance their careers in a growth-oriented and collaborative environment. The position focuses on identifying strategic land opportunities, managing the entitlement process, and ensuring the successful approval of new land acquisitions for development. Our client values individuals skilled at navigating municipal processes, negotiating land deals, and conducting thorough due diligence to support the company's expansion in the market. The Land Acquisition & Entitlement Manager will drive the identification and acquisition of new land opportunities, ensuring alignment with market trends and company growth objectives. This role requires managing all aspects of the entitlement process, from site identification through final approvals, to secure land for development. The successful candidate will conduct comprehensive site assessments and feasibility analyses, focusing on regulatory requirements, site constraints, and cost-effective design. Collaborative leadership is essential, as the manager will work closely with regional management, consultants, and municipal partners to facilitate smooth project approvals and development. In this position, the manager will analyze markets and current land positions to identify gaps and opportunities for future land acquisitions. They will maintain up-to-date knowledge of market activities, trends, and competitive landscapes, generating prospective acquisition opportunities through relationships with land brokers, developers, and local contacts. The role also involves reviewing and presenting market data and feasibility analyses for potential land acquisitions, initiating land acquisition projects, and leading the entitlement and annexation process to obtain necessary approvals for new developments.

Responsibilities

• Drive the identification and acquisition of new land opportunities, ensuring alignment with market trends and company growth objectives.
• Manage all aspects of the entitlement process, from site identification through final approvals, to secure land for development.
• Conduct comprehensive site assessments and feasibility analyses, focusing on regulatory requirements, site constraints, and cost-effective design.
• Work closely with regional management, consultants, and municipal partners to facilitate smooth project approvals and development.
• Analyze markets and current land positions to identify gaps and opportunities for future land acquisitions.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of market activities, trends, and competitive landscapes.
• Generate prospective acquisition opportunities through relationships with land brokers, developers, and local contacts.
• Review and present market data and feasibility analyses for potential land acquisitions.
• Initiate land acquisition projects by identifying target parcels, negotiating with sellers, performing due diligence, and preparing letters of intent in collaboration with the Legal Department.
• Lead the entitlement and annexation process to obtain necessary approvals for new developments.
• Present proposals and development plans to municipal bodies, homeowners associations, and landowners.
• Negotiate and prepare contracts, amendments, and easements in coordination with the Legal Department.
• Conduct thorough reviews of proposed sites to assess development feasibility.
• Research and interpret local zoning and subdivision ordinance requirements.
• Collaborate with engineering consultants to develop preliminary sketch plans, considering site constraints and applicable development codes.
• Prepare detailed due diligence reports and site feasibility analyses, factoring in regulatory requirements, entitlements, and cost-effective design strategies.
• Develop approval schedules and preliminary site development budget estimates to guide project planning.
• Work with the regional management team and design consultants to review technical aspects of the project and optimize design elements for cost and market value.
• Facilitate the preparation of final due diligence reports and executive summaries, providing recommendations on land deals based on feasibility outcomes.
• Assist in preparing preliminary and bank land development budgets as needed.
• Lead the approval process for real estate development projects, coordinating all phases from site identification through final permits.
• Coordinate with regional management, adjacent property owners, HOAs, and jurisdictional authorities to garner support for projects.
• Maintain and update approval tracking logs, resolving key issues to keep projects on or ahead of schedule.
• Work with consultants to prepare necessary rezoning exhibits, preliminary plats, and final plats.
• Track project expenses and manage milestone deliveries throughout the entitlement process.
• Oversee the preparation of site design criteria and manage third-party consulting engineers in the creation and approval of site improvement plans.
• Coordinate with the Land Development Director to implement value engineering strategies that reduce development costs while maintaining quality standards.
• Collaborate with construction teams and design consultants to review technical aspects of projects and optimize design elements for cost efficiency.
• Develop and review all contract documents with design professionals and other direct vendors, ensuring comprehensive coverage of work scope.
• Conduct regular meetings with project teams, consultants, and municipal representatives to facilitate smooth project progression through the entitlement process.
• Manage all aspects of rezoning requests, zoning variances, master planning, and other entitlement-related activities to secure necessary approvals.
• Engage proactively with municipalities to advocate for project benefits and navigate ordinance amendments when necessary.

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in land acquisition, entitlement management, and development within the residential construction or homebuilding industry.
• A Bachelor's degree in Business, Real Estate, Urban Planning, or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Proven experience in managing the entitlement process and navigating municipal approvals.
• Strong knowledge of local zoning laws, subdivision regulations, and entitlement procedures.
• Excellent negotiation, presentation, and communication skills, with a proven ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and project management skills, with experience in budgeting and cost management.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal teams, consultants, and municipal partners to achieve project goals.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Prescription drug insurance
• Vision insurance