Director of Land Acquisition

The Director of Land Acquisitions is responsible for identifying, sourcing, analyzing, negotiating, and acquiring land and lot opportunities that support the division's strategic growth plans.

This is a highly entrepreneurial, field-oriented role. Beyond traditional deal sourcing through brokers and relationships, this leader is expected to actively drive surrounding cities and submarkets to identify already-developed or underutilized properties-such as commercial, industrial, or infill sites-that can be repurposed into residential communities. This role requires a strong eye for opportunity, comfort being in the field, and the ability to envision residential potential where others may not.

The position partners closely with Division Leadership, Land Development, Finance, and Corporate leadership to ensure underwriting assumptions, approvals, and execution are aligned with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Market Execution

• Create and execute a strategic land acquisition vision aligned with division and corporate growth plans.
• Develop and maintain an annual land acquisition strategy defining geographic focus, product types, and pricing targets.
• Analyze markets and sub-markets to identify gaps, emerging opportunities, and optimal land positioning.
• Serve as a senior advisor to Division Leadership on land strategy, feasibility, and risk.

Proactive Land Sourcing & Deal Generation

• Proactively source land opportunities through field-based market exploration , including driving nearby cities and submarkets to identify viable, already-developed properties suitable for residential conversion.
• Identify and evaluate infill, redevelopment, and repurposing opportunities-not raw or undeveloped land.
• Generate off-market and early-stage opportunities through creative sourcing and local intelligence.
• Maintain deep awareness of market trends, zoning dynamics, and redevelopment potential.

Deal Evaluation, Negotiation & Execution

• Lead all phases of land acquisition, including underwriting, due diligence, negotiation, contract execution, and closing.
• Oversee preparation of letters of intent, purchase agreements, land banking documents, and corporate approval packages.
• Review title, survey, environmental, zoning, and entitlement considerations to assess risk and feasibility.
• Partner with Land Development on pro forma creation, including fees, construction costs, absorption, timelines, and land pricing.
• Support presentations to municipal bodies, government agencies, and other stakeholders as needed.

Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with landowners, brokers, developers, title companies, lenders, municipalities, and other builders.
• Act as a visible market presence and trusted partner within the real estate and development community.
• For VP-level scope: represent the organization with senior executives, financial institutions, and public agencies.

Team Leadership & Operational Oversight (Scope Based on Level)

• Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing land acquisition team.
• Oversee departmental operations, budgets, forecasting, and performance metrics.
• Prepare deal summaries, land tracking reports, and portfolio updates for division and corporate leadership.
• Partner with Division President on balance sheet management, asset disposition, and renegotiation strategies.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree required; MBA strongly preferred.
• Degree focus in Business, Finance, Economics, Construction Science, or Real Estate preferred.

Experience

• 5+ years of real estate acquisition and negotiation experience within homebuilding or residential development.
• Proven experience evaluating complex real estate transactions and financial models.
• Demonstrated success managing negotiations, contracts, and closings.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong financial modeling and analytical capabilities.
• Exceptional negotiation skills with the tenacity to close deals.
• Ability to translate market data into compelling residential community concepts.
• Strong judgment, integrity, and ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

#LI-AJ2

Are you looking for an incredible career opportunity? Then Meritage Homes is the place for you! From the homes we build to the careers we offer, we are focused on delivering a Life.Built.Better.. Meritage is committed to building energy-efficient and affordable entry-level and first move-up homes across the US. We are looking for candidates who are excited about furthering their careers, as well as bringing their authentic self every day to be part of an inclusive organization. Meritage was certified a Great Place To Work for a fourth year in a row. Meritage has delivered over 210,000 homes in its 41-year history, and has a reputation for its distinctive style, quality construction, and award-winning customer experience. Meritage is looking for professionals who are self-starters and want to help our organization grow by providing new and innovative ideas.

When joining Meritage Homes, you and your career can benefit in several ways, including:

• A work environment that encourages creativity and innovative ideas from every level
• An organization that lives by its core values everyday
• Team atmosphere where every individual is considered a vital asset
• State of the art technology to provide an optimal working environment
• A competitive pay structure
• Strong benefits
• Flexibility in work-life integration
• Team-oriented environment where all individuals play an integral role in the company
• Opportunity to further your career in a growing national organization
• Maintain a competitive drive to be the best