Land Development Manager

Land Development Manager

The Land Development Manager is expected to continually monitor, search and identify new land opportunities that will be beneficial to the Company. This role is also responsible for overseeing the acquisition, due diligence, development, and escrows for the properties. The Land Development Manager will also review the entitlement/approval process to ensure the most marketable and best use of land is determined for each property.

Essential Job Functions

• Continuously research land that is desirable, newly listed, in the zoning process or that has been improved, to identify attractive properties for purchase.
• Acquire an understanding of local ordinances, general plans, and urban growth in assigned communities.
• Maintain a detailed knowledge of the competitive marketplace.
• Research and identify ground parcels and/or communities that will meet the land/lot needs for the Company.
• Maintain regular contact and open lines of communication with key land sources (e.g., developers, realtors, land planners, municipalities, title companies, etc.)
• Contact landowners and maintain regular communication with them through mailers, phone calls, emails, or other means.
• Nurture and maintain strong relationships with land sellers to ensure their cooperation if/when issues arise during the zoning approval that require changes to their agreements.
• Present land opportunities to the Vice President or President for approval prior to initiating Purchase and Sale Agreements (PSA).
• Negotiate and execute Letter of Intents (LOI) to acquire properties from sellers.
• Assist the Vice President or President in writing, negotiating, and executing PSAs with sellers along with any amendments as determined by the final review.
• Following execution of a contract by the Vice President or President, ensure all contract terms and conditions are met as scheduled per the established checklist.
• Accurately communicate all earnest money requirements and track payment for each project.
• Assist with conducting due diligence review per the due diligence checklist.
• Assist with conducting final project reviews prior to expiration of the feasibility period, ensuring the due diligence checklist is complete.
• Gather civil engineers' cost estimates and review them for accuracy.
• Gather project estimates, fees, expenses and prepare proforma financial models of potential revenues and costs for review by the Vice President or President.
• Conduct title review and participate in all necessary follow up.
• Gather entitlement (approval) schedules and all information necessary to ensure project successfully meets jurisdiction requirements for project approval, and review with Vice President or President.
• Coordinate Phase 1 Environmental Assessments (i.e. soil screenings) through consultants and oversee any necessary follow-up work.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of the politics of jurisdictions in which the company is planning to develop, proactively identify and manage legal and political entitlement project constraints.
• Meet with agency staff, planning commissioners, and/or council members to win project support, to negotiate the most advantageous plans and conditions for approval.
• Make formal presentations to public decision-making bodies, if necessary.
• Perform community outreach to secure community support for projects, if necessary.
• Review all fee requests from applicable jurisdictions and prepare checks necessary to ensure timely payment.
• Review engineering and survey issues, project plans and designs for accuracy; provide value engineering recommendations where appropriate.
• Assist with obtaining the permits necessary to develop proposed projects in a timely manner.
• Coordinate with environmental engineer to design the community SWPPP.
• Manage and effectively communicate to all development contractors and ensure the efficient scheduling and requirements of their work to facilitate a smooth production process.
• Consistently look for ways to reduce cycle times by implementing more effective construction methods.
• Coordinate and oversee the contractors performing site development (i.e. earthwork, utility installation, roads, sidewalks, retaining walls and common area improvements).
• Monitor the cleanliness and appearance of all job site entryways, streets, and common areas, including debris removal. Ensure compliance with all requirements of the community SWPPP.
• Ensure contractors understand and adhere to established scopes of work, schedules, quality standards and established safety standards. Communicate any concerns.
• Review contractors' requests for payment, code them in a timely manner.
• Address any problems or conflicts that arise during the development process and create feasible alternate solutions to ensure cooperative, mutually supportive relationships with all contractors, city and county officials, engineers, inspectors, etc.
• Obtain all necessary site inspections as required and meet with city or county inspectors to resolve any construction-related issues.
• Assist with the set-up and management of Homeowner's Associations.
• Coordinate and oversee the completion of punch list items necessary for escrow release and obtain all releases.
• Coordinate utility testing and acceptance by the utility companies.
• Manage expenditures and invoicing to stay within established project budgets.
• Prepare budget change orders as needed.
• Participate in the design or redesign of new or existing products to supply market with demanded features.
• Provide guidance and input on special legal matters related to land acquisition.
• Develop and evaluate lot premium pricing with assistance from the Vice President or President.

Subject to changes, modifications, additions and/or deletions.

Essential Environmental Demands

• Generally OUTSIDE environment
• Generally NOT Air-Conditioned/Heated environment
• Subject to weather conditions (rain, heat, snow, etc.)
• Background noise is moderate to heavy at times.
• Hazardous environment
• Environment is not controlled for fumes, dust or odors.

Essential Physical Demands

• Lifting up to 100 pounds
• Sufficient ability to maneuver safely on job site confronting rough terrain, trenches, and uncompleted framing and roof structures. Must be able to climb ladders.
• Constant stooping or bending over
• Overhead as well as horizontal reaching is required
• Cultural/regional speaking accents are acceptable
• Hearing is required
• Visually able to inspect and approve each phase of construction.

This position reports directly to the Vice President or President or another manager as directed. This job description is not limited to the specific duties and responsibilities as outlined. The employee may be required to perform duties of a similar or comparable nature and/or assist with projects or assignments as required.