Job brief
We are seeking a results-driven Land Acquisition Manager to join our growing development team and lead our strategy for future project pipelines. In this high-impact role, you will identify key growth corridors, navigate complex regulatory environments, and negotiate acquisitions that align with our long-term investment goals. You will work alongside our planning, engineering, and legal teams to transform underutilized land into thriving residential or commercial communities. If you possess a sharp eye for undervalued real estate and a talent for strategic negotiation, we invite you to help build the future of our firm.
Key highlights
- Identify and evaluate land parcels for acquisition by utilizing GIS platforms, CoStar, and market-specific demographic research to determine feasibility.
- Conduct comprehensive due diligence on potential sites, including reviewing ALTA surveys, phase I environmental reports, and geotechnical assessments.
- Draft and negotiate purchase and sale agreements, letters of intent, and option contracts with landowners, private equity partners, and brokers.
- Present detailed land acquisition business cases to the C-suite, including financial projections, IRR analysis, and site development risk assessments.
What is a Land Acquisition Manager?
A Land Acquisition Manager is a specialized real estate professional who orchestrates the complex lifecycle of identifying and securing viable land parcels for commercial or residential development. By leveraging market intelligence and financial modeling, a Land Acquisition Manager assesses site feasibility against zoning ordinances, environmental constraints, and profitability targets. Their work bridges the gap between raw land potential and tangible real estate assets, serving as the essential catalyst for large-scale development projects.
What does a Land Acquisition Manager do?
A Land Acquisition Manager spends their time analyzing GIS mapping data and market trends to identify high-potential sites while maintaining relationships with landowners, brokers, and municipal planning departments. They perform rigorous due diligence, including verifying land titles, reviewing environmental impact reports, and coordinating with civil engineers to assess site infrastructure requirements. Furthermore, they negotiate purchase and sale agreements (PSAs), present investment packages to executive leadership, and oversee the transition of secured properties to the development and construction teams.
Key responsibilities
- Identify and evaluate land parcels for acquisition by utilizing GIS platforms, CoStar, and market-specific demographic research to determine feasibility.
- Conduct comprehensive due diligence on potential sites, including reviewing ALTA surveys, phase I environmental reports, and geotechnical assessments.
- Draft and negotiate purchase and sale agreements, letters of intent, and option contracts with landowners, private equity partners, and brokers.
- Present detailed land acquisition business cases to the C-suite, including financial projections, IRR analysis, and site development risk assessments.
- Manage relationships with city planners and municipal officials to navigate zoning changes, entitlements, and complex land-use permit applications.
- Collaborate with land planners and civil engineers to create site plans that maximize yield while complying with local building codes.
- Maintain a robust pipeline of off-market and listed properties by networking with land brokerage firms and established property owners.
- Monitor real estate market volatility, interest rate impacts, and supply chain trends to adjust acquisition pricing strategies in real-time.
Requirements and skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Urban Planning, Finance, or Civil Engineering; an MBA or MS in Real Estate Development is highly preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in land acquisition, entitlement, or site development for commercial or large-scale residential projects.
- Expert-level proficiency in financial modeling using Excel and ARGUS to forecast project cash flows and determine land acquisition pricing.
- Deep understanding of municipal zoning codes, subdivision regulations, and the entitlement process across multi-jurisdictional environments.
- Proven track record of successfully negotiating and closing complex real estate transactions exceeding $5M in contract value.
- Advanced technical skills in using GIS mapping software (ArcGIS or QGIS) to analyze site constraints and regional spatial data.
- Certification as a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) or similar professional credentials within the real estate development industry.
- Ability to clearly synthesize complex regulatory and financial data into actionable presentations for high-level executive decision-making.
FAQs
What does a Land Acquisition Manager do on a daily basis?
A Land Acquisition Manager focuses on sourcing, vetting, and securing land for development. Daily tasks include scanning market data via platforms like CoStar, attending site inspections to assess topography and utilities, and drafting purchase agreements. They also spend significant time in negotiations with sellers and collaborating with legal counsel to ensure all land titles and zoning requirements are cleared before closing.
What skills are required for a Land Acquisition Manager?
Key skills include advanced financial modeling to calculate project ROI, proficiency in GIS mapping software, and a deep knowledge of municipal land-use laws. Equally important are soft skills like strategic negotiation, complex problem-solving regarding environmental or zoning barriers, and the ability to build long-term relationships with land sellers, brokers, and local government officials.
Who does a Land Acquisition Manager work with?
They work as a central liaison between various internal and external stakeholders. Externally, they collaborate with private landowners, real estate brokers, legal teams, environmental consultants, and city planning departments. Internally, they work closely with development directors, financial analysts, and civil engineering teams to ensure the viability and profitability of each acquisition.
Why is the role of a Land Acquisition Manager important to a company?
The Land Acquisition Manager is vital because they determine the foundational success of a development project. By identifying undervalued land and accurately assessing development risks, they ensure that the company invests in assets that offer the highest potential for long-term growth. Their ability to secure entitlements and manage complex negotiations directly protects the company’s capital and competitive market position.