Land Acquisition Associate (Entitlements)

Land Acquisition Associate

The Land Acquisition Associate supports the Land Acquisition Team in vetting and managing new land opportunities by conducting site evaluations, performing financial analysis, and coordinating due diligence. This role manages entitlements, prepares reports, and tracks progress, requiring strong analytical skills and attention to detail. The Associate will oversee deals from contract to full entitlement, with a key responsibility for mitigating risks associated with the asset.

Key Responsibilities

Pre Contract Support (20%)

• Assist in evaluating site conditions including market conditions, zoning, future land use plans, entitlement status, municipal outreach, moratoriums, utility constraints, impact fees, and development feasibility
• Track competitive activity, rezonings, land pricing trends, and community growth patterns

Financial & Market Analysis (15%)

• Support underwriting and financial modeling for potential acquisitions
• Assist with competitive market analysis for existing and future projects
• Compile data for executive review and land committee
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and land pipeline reporting

Due Diligence and Entitlements (65%)

• Coordinate with outside consultants and run due diligence items including environmental reports, wetlands, endangered species, geotechnical studies, utilities, traffic, site plans, surveys, and title work
• Assist with the entitlement processes, rezoning applications, and municipal coordination
• Coordinate & Attend Meetings (virtual & in-person): neighborhood, planning staff, planning board, town council, and ongoing engineering and consultant meetings
• Maintain due diligence schedules and critical milestone tracking

Ongoing Responsibilities and Deliverables:

• Prepare and Maintain a Weekly Deal Tracker:
• Schedule/Timeline/Milestones
• Results and Progress
• Budget vs. Actual
• Key risks (delays, political resistance, cost, site constraints, issues/constraints with property, easements, title, or other factors impacting the project)
• Maintain a Consultant Matrix
• Prepare presentation materials and summaries for leadership meetings

Communication Responsibilities:

• Present weekly deal updates
• Prepare internal updates for Management
• Prepare and Present to Municipalities/ Engineers/ Consultants

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Urban Planning, or related real estate field
• 13 years of experience in project management, land acquisition, due diligence & entitlements, real estate, development, or a related role (homebuilding experience preferred).

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical skills
• Proficiency in Excel; experience with real estate financial models a plus
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work well on a team
• Professional judgment and discretion with confidential information
• Must exercise initiative and achieve objectives with minimal supervision

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with residential land development or homebuilding
• Familiarity with zoning, entitlements, and municipal approval processes
• Experience working with brokers, landowners, engineers, and municipalities

Work Environment & Requirements

• Primarily office-based with periodic travel to project sites and municipal meetings
• Ability to walk undeveloped land and construction sites as needed
• Valid driver's license
• Shea Homes Carolina is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, or Vietnam era, or other eligible veteran status, or any other protected factor. EOE/M/F/D/V