The Director of Land Development will lead the strategic planning, execution, and oversight of all land development activities within the Division. This role is responsible for managing the end-to-end development process, ensuring that all projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with organizational goals. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, political acumen, technical expertise, and a proven track record in managing large-scale residential land development projects.
Responsibilities
- Provide executive leadership and direction for all land development operations, including acquisition support, planning, budgeting, permitting, construction coordination, and turnover to homebuilding operations.
- Identify and evaluate potential land acquisition opportunities in collaboration with the acquisitions team; support due diligence, feasibility studies, and risk assessments.
- Maintain and expand a strong network of political, municipal, and industry contacts to anticipate regulatory changes and secure timely approvals.
- Develop comprehensive proformas, cost estimates, and cash flow projections that support Division business plans and strategic goals.
- Direct negotiations related to land acquisition, development agreements, entitlements, and construction contracts.
- Oversee project schedules and budgets, ensuring timely completion of development milestones and effective use of resources.
- Ensure compliance with all zoning requirements, environmental regulations, CLOS requirements, and other jurisdictional standards.
- Drive timely acquisition of all necessary permits and approvals to prevent construction delays.
- Lead the coordination and communication between internal teams and external consultants including civil engineers, planners, utility companies, and government agencies.
- Oversee selection and management of third-party contractors for civil work, landscaping, irrigation, hardscaping, and amenities; ensure competitive bidding and quality performance.
- Proactively identify and mitigate site development risks such as poor soil conditions, wetlands, and utility conflicts.
- Provide clear direction and leadership to land development team members; mentor and grow team capabilities in alignment with company goals.
- Ensure site and product designs align with company objectives for aesthetics, function, and cost efficiency.
- Collaborate with internal design, construction, and sales teams to ensure cohesive community and product delivery.
- Maintain quality control on all site planning documentation, engineering plans, and construction-related materials.
- Regularly report to the Division President on project status, budget performance, and strategic development objectives.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Construction Management, Real Estate Development, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in land development, with at least 3 years in a leadership or director-level role overseeing multiple projects.
- Deep understanding of land entitlement, zoning, permitting, and horizontal development processes.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex development projects from inception through completion.
- Strong financial acumen and experience managing large-scale development budgets and proformas.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, project management software, and relevant technical tools.