Land Acquisition Manager - Ashton Woods

Company Overview:

Ashton Woods is more than just a home builder. From the sale of our first home in 1989 to recently being named Builder of the Year by Builder Magazine, our focus has always been on blazing new trails and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in homebuilding. Ashton Woods, the #1 private home builder in the United States, markets its homes through its two award-winning brands, Ashton Woods and Starlight Homes. The Ashton Woods brand is known for designing thoughtfully curated, inspired homes for people who love design. The Starlight Homes brand builds homes specifically for the first-time homebuyer, offering affordable homes with well-executed designs and quality finishes for buyers looking to make the dream of home ownership a reality. The company’s commitment to innovation and continually evolving to meet the needs of the market is a key reason we are one of the most celebrated homebuilders in the nation, winning hundreds of national and local industry awards in product and community design, architecture, merchandising, sales, marketing, and customer service. We believe that what we accomplish together is greater than what we deliver individually. Our team members have inspired the shared values we embrace in all decisions and actions: Unwavering Integrity, Trail Blazing, Bold Action, Collective Compassion, and Unconditional Respect.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Ashton Woods sells new homes in Atlanta, Austin, Charleston, Dallas, Houston, Myrtle Beach, Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix, Raleigh, San Antonio, and Tampa.

Position Overview:

Assist the Division Leadership in the facilitation and completion of land deals:

• Critical member of division leadership team responsible for providing the division with undeveloped land and finished lots enabling it to accomplish its sales, settlements, profitability, and growth targets as established in the division strategic plan. Work with the management team to ensure our sales, marketing and construction requirements are met on each deal.
• The Acquisition Manager must be able to identify land that comports with the strategic plan and be able to coordinate the acquisition, zoning, and development processes.
• Manager must be able to negotiate price and terms of property acquisitions to ensure the division has a competitive edge in our respective target submarkets. Land needs to be acquired on terms that meet or exceed our financial requirements.

Major Functional Responsibilities:

• Pursue new land opportunities through direct contact with land owners, brokers, and developers
• Lead process of due diligence
• Assist in performing sophisticated land use and financial analyses
• Preparation, maintenance, and organization of Land Acquisition documents
• Monitoring of budgets and schedules
• Represent the Division with a high level of integrity, honesty, and competence

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Organize, prepare and maintain land contracts, ensuring critical due dates are met
• Lead process of due diligence, including concept land planning, environmental, utility system, and title analysis
• Monitor and maintain deposit payments and close of escrow schedule
• Monitor due diligence budgets and approve invoice payments
• Retain soil/environmental engineers on a project basis
• Maintain and organize market research files and reports
• Coordinate with escrow and title companies through new acquisitions·
• File and maintain escrow and title documents
• Assist with financial and economic feasibility analysis
• Facilitate community meetings with local homeowner’s association
• Coordinate the preparation and execution of close out documents
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned
• Assist with assembling and completing market feasibility studies

Qualifications:

• BA/BS in Business, Finance, Real Estate, Construction or Engineering
• Previous relevant real estate experience

Skills and Knowledge:

• Highly developed analytical skills
• High drive individual with demonstrable track record of independent judgment and discretion
• Knowledge of business English and ability to communicate patiently and professionally with both internal and external customers both orally and in writing
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines in high paced work environment

Typical Physical and Mental Demands:

• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluently in English
• Employees in the position are required to be able to hear and have vision sufficient to utilize all office equipment
• Use of hands and fingers is required to utilize standard office equipment
• Requires occasional lifting up to 20 pounds

These physical requirements are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions if requested.

Working Conditions: Work is generally performed in a typical office environment using standard office equipment. Work is typically sedentary in nature, but some walking and standing may be required. Fast paced environment subject to numerous schedule and priority change and short notice activity.