Director of Land Acquisition Manager

About the role

M/I Homes has been building new homes of outstanding quality and superior design for 50 years. Founded in 1976 by Irving and Melvin Schottenstein and guided by Irving’s drive to always “treat the customer right,” we have fulfilled the dreams of over 170,000 homeowners and grown to become one of the nation’s leading homebuilders.

M/I Homes started as a family business and grew into a national leader in a single generation with divisions in 17 markets, including Austin, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Nashville, Orlando, Raleigh, San Antonio, Sarasota, and Tampa.

Job Summary

In conjunction with related corporate staff, negotiates and coordinates the acquisition and disposition of land for the development of residential home subdivisions. Responsible for executing the divisions long term land strategy and ensures the organization has the right land, in key markets, at the right time and with the right financial objectives to ensure success. Monitors and supports the acquisition process through final contract, due diligence, and closing phases.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and develop land acquisition managers and drive the land acquisition process for the development of subdivisions to meet the strategic plan guidelines for both finished lot deals and raw ground purchases. Locates and acquires land for the development of subdivisions in a given market and geographical areas.
• Assist land acquisition managers in the negotiations with sellers, brokers, developers, and other stakeholders as needed.
• Structure purchase agreements, options, takedowns, phased acquisitions, joint ventures, seller participation and other creative transaction structures as appropriate.
• Partner closely with Land Development, Finance, Sales, Construction, Operations, Marketing, Legal, and Executive Leadership.
• Analyzes given markets for possible acquisitions within targeted profitability ranges and feasibility criteria established by corporate management. Actively participates in divisional strategic planning process for future growth.
• Work with VP of land and VP of finance to prepare and finalize underwriting files for LAF submission and Executive Leadership approvals.
• Develops and maintains property contact listings alongside land acquisition managers; establishes and maintains builder and developer contacts for lots available within the applicable market. Has knowledge/contacts for all developed lot neighborhoods in market.
• Assists in the due diligence of land under consideration for acquisition; and recommends acquisition, disposition, and other actions consistent with established Company guidelines and requirements.
• Negotiates price and contracts with sellers; provides information for preparation of contracts and closing documents as well as land investment committee approvals.
• Assess entitlement requirements and municipal approvals necessary to support the proposed development. Assist in the entitlement process as needed.
• Identify potential deal risks early and develop mitigation strategies.
• Monitors inventory of available excess lots for sale to other builders and developers.
• Manages the land closing process with the assistance of outside legal counsel and title representatives.
• Assists with special projects as requested and performs additional duties as required.

Minimum Education Experience

Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) of equivalent in specialized training from a four-year college or technical school combined with five to ten years related experience; thorough knowledge of home building industry relative to land acquisition and development.

Skills and Abilities

• Persuasive attitude with outstanding negotiation and organizational skills; detail-oriented aptitude.
• Ability to research, interpret, analyze, and evaluate given information relative to the acquisition and disposition of appropriate land sites.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interaction with a variety of people inside and outside of organization.

Strong marketing skills with ability to identify available products; capable of handling responsibility for large land purchase budget; required inventories and purchase of such. Decisiveness and good judgment, problem-solving and analytical skills to act with authority and take approved risks in an environment with little direction from others. Working knowledge of given market and geographical locations.

Work Conditions and Physical Requirements

Travel demands which require possession of a valid driver’s license and good driving record to comply with Company-issued vehicle policies.

Benefits & Perks

• M/I Homes offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off and paid holidays, paid parental leave, traditional and Roth 401(k) options, profit sharing plan, employee home purchase plan and more.
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