Director of Land Acquisitions

Job Description Job Description Description: About The Challenger Group The Challenger Group, Inc. (TCG) is a vertically integrated homebuilding organization committed to delivering attainable, high-quality housing across its operating businesses — including for-sale communities, build-to-rent neighborhoods, and multifamily communities. At The Challenger Group, we are energetic and passionate about what we do. We value creative, flexible, thorough, bold, and determined people in our organization with a passion for building beautiful communities. Our Company mission is “Making Life Better” for our customers, trade partners, investors, employees, and our community. Together, we contribute to the success of the organization but also to the success and growth of our community. We understand the impact we have and strive to develop and build in smart, innovative ways that we are proud to call our communities. We seek qualified candidates who share our vision, values, and mission. Position Title: Director of Land Acquisitions Company: Challenger Group Support, LLC Department: Operations/Staff Reports to: TCG CEO Job Type: Regular Full-Time Work Hours: M-TH 8-5, F 8-12 Effective Date: June 2026 Exemption Status: Exempt Salary Range: $140,000 - $190,000 annually + incentive potential Benefits Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Life/Accidental Death Insurance/Short-Term Disability Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays, Volunteer Time Off (VTO) 401(k) Investment with 6% company match Employee Wealth Program (Home purchase and Rental discounts) Role Summary The Director of Land Acquisitions will lead the sourcing, underwriting, negotiation, and execution of land acquisition opportunities across TCG’s operating platforms. This role is responsible for identifying and securing new development opportunities, building and maintaining strategic broker and municipal relationships, coordinating due diligence and entitlement efforts, and partnering with executive leadership to drive long-term growth. The position requires strong financial analysis, market knowledge, transaction experience, and the ability to manage multiple projects and relationships simultaneously. Essential Functions Land Sourcing & Relationship Management • Develop and maintain relationships with brokers, landowners, municipalities, engineers, consultants, and industry contacts. • Source both off-market and marketed land acquisition opportunities aligned with company growth objectives. • Track competitive market activity, pricing trends, zoning changes, utility constraints, and entitlement activity across target markets. • Maintain and regularly update acquisition pipeline tracking and strategic market maps. Underwriting & Financial Analysis • Prepare and review residual land analysis, development feasibility models, and acquisition underwriting. • Evaluate zoning, entitlement risk, utility availability, fee structures, site constraints, development costs, and projected returns. • Coordinate with finance, development, and operations teams to validate assumptions and strategic fit. • Assist with investment committee presentations and executive-level deal recommendations. Negotiation & Transaction Management • Negotiate LOIs, purchase agreements, easements, amendments, and related transaction documents. • Coordinate legal, title, survey, environmental, geotechnical, and engineering diligence. • Track critical contract deadlines, diligence milestones, and closing requirements. • Support seller, broker, consultant, and lender coordination throughout the transaction process. Entitlements & Pre-Development Coordination • Support annexation, rezoning, platting, and entitlement processes in coordination with municipalities and consultants. • Coordinate with civil engineers, utility providers, drainage consultants, and land planners during diligence and pre-development. • Identify and proactively manage development risks, municipal concerns, and infrastructure constraints. Strategy & Reporting • Provide executive leadership with regular acquisition pipeline updates and market intelligence. • Support long-term growth planning, strategic expansion efforts, and new market evaluations. • Develop scalable acquisition procedures, reporting standards, and organizational capabilities. Supervisory Responsibilities This role currently has no direct reports. As the platform grows, the Director may oversee land analysts, coordinators, or acquisition personnel. Minimum Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business, Construction Management, or related field. • 7+ years of experience in land acquisition, homebuilding, development, commercial real estate, or related field. • Strong financial modeling, underwriting, and analytical capabilities. • Demonstrated experience negotiating real estate transactions and coordinating due diligence. • Working knowledge of entitlement, annexation, utility, and municipal approval processes. • Proficiency in AI Tools and Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel. Preferred Qualifications • Broker’s License, MBA, or advanced coursework in real estate, finance, or development. • Experience with large-scale residential development and build-to-rent and multifamily. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. • Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail. • Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. Work Environment • Regular travel to properties, municipalities, and industry meetings required – up to 50% • Standard office environment with extended periods of desk and computer work • Occasional lifting of up to 15 pounds All job functions listed represent essential duties. Peripheral tasks incidentally related to the role may not be included. Equal Opportunity Employer / Smoke-Free Campus Requirements: