Land Acquisition Manager

A Brief Overview

The Land Acquisition Manager will identify, negotiate, and facilitate the acquisition of new land and lots that align with market strategy for El Paso, Austin, and surrounding areas, southern New Mexico, and other Hunt Communities regions as needed. This position will maintain and foster relationships with key players in the market while providing and maintaining up-to-date data on current and prospective land deals, related market and sub-market data, proformas, deal status, and maintain the resources necessary to accomplish the responsibilities of the land acquisition function. As a leader in this organization, this position must maintain a mindset of continual improvement and work diligently to foster a culture of continual improvement within the team, the department, and the company. The Land Acquisition Manager will report to the VP of Land Acquisition and Commercial Sales in El Paso, Texas.

What you will do

• Analyzes markets, submarkets, and the division's current land positions to identify gaps and strategic areas for concentrating future land acquisitions.
• Oversees potential new projects for the division, including the identification of parcels, negotiation with sellers, due diligence, and preparation of the corporate approval.
• Performs land acquisition functions, including but not limited to proforma analysis, market research, comparable sales studies, assists in site planning, general due diligence, and underwriting to determine the viability of each deal, and prepares detailed land packages with relevant data for submittal to Hunt Communities leadership for approval of real estate transactions.
• Manages the land pipeline for current and future deals.
• Reviews surveys, title issues, and other reports to determine the liabilities of potential acquisitions.
• Prepares letters of intent and responds to requests for qualifications in a competitive bid situation.
• Prepares the forms necessary to wire funds for said acquisitions. Track critical dates on deals under contract, manage wire requests, and coordinate land closings with legal and title companies. Post contract, maintain date tracking, earnest money, and contract terms.
• Submits monthly/quarterly land reporting to Hunt Communities leadership, including project status, new projects under LOI/contract, etc.
• Negotiates the purchase price and terms of all land contracts.
• Works with legal to address all legal issues that arise during the contract and feasibility process.
• Networks and manages relationships with brokers, developers, engineers, planners, municipalities, and landowners for new acquisition opportunities.
• Utilizes GIS (Geospatial Information Systems) software, FRAME software, Google Earth, and other similar sources to research and identify potential land acquisition opportunities that align with market strategy and business plan goals. Maintains a tracking log and land search map of viable lots/tracts, as well as a log of comparable transactions in surrounding areas.
• Works closely with various consultants including engineering firms, land planners, surveyors, environmental consulting firms, surveyors, and outside lawyers to collect and understand issues involving land feasibility and development.
• Prepares financial analysis of acquisition opportunities, including obtaining phasing plans and probable construction cost estimates from engineers, and prepares a preliminary financial analysis of the opportunity, and works, as necessary, with financial support within Hunt Communities to fine-tune and enhance the initial financial analysis.
• Work closely with various government approval authorities (e.g., MUDs, city and county governments, planning departments, regional transportation organizations, city and county utility providers, etc.) to vet potential acquisition opportunities for initial feasibility and identify obstacles and challenges.
• Participates in training when needed. This includes learning product knowledge, procedural proficiencies, and computer software.
• As needed, coordinates with Hunt Communities team, including VP of Development, VP of Construction, VP of Finance, and VP of Special Projects to acquire specialized specific support, but generally this position will be expected to rely on outside support and individual efforts to secure relevant project information, to analyze opportunities, and to identify risks and unknowns.
• Prepares Investment Committee memo (forms available) with all relevant project information (including risks and opportunities), financial analysis, and market position that is needed for the determination of the purchase decision.
• This position requires driving for the Company using either 1) a Company vehicle, at any frequency from Rarely to Constantly; or, 2) a Personal or Rental vehicle to conduct Company business more than 50% of the time to perform work duties.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in civil engineering, urban planning, real estate development, or construction management. Preferred.
• 5+ years' experience in land acquisition, entitlement, civil engineering, land law, and/or due diligence with a homebuilder or land development company, with or without a degree. Required.
• Able to manipulate and be proficient with PCs, and Windows applications; Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., associated with contemporary computers. Able to create simple, high-level cash flow models.
• DL NUMBER - Driver's License, Valid and in State Required.
• CCIM Designation Preferred.

Compensation

We are committed to offering competitive and equitable compensation. Final salaries will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, licenses, certifications, and/or experience. In addition to these factors - we believe in the importance of pay equity. We consider internal and external factors as a part of every final offer. We also offer a generous total compensation and benefits package.

Benefits
A competitive salary is only one part of your total rewards. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, medical, dental, life and disability insurance, HSA/FSA accounts, retirement, rewards programs, and so much more!

EEO/ADA
The Company and its affiliates provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.