Director Acquisitions

Focus Development • Chicago, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director Acquisitions plays a central role in shaping Focus’ pipeline of development opportunities. The Director leads site sourcing for ground-up real estate development and helps craft the business development strategy guiding Focus’ geographic expansion. The role identifies, qualifies, and secures on-market and off-market development sites in Chicago, its suburbs, and nationally, with an emphasis on the Southeastern U.S. Success depends on strong relationships with brokers, landowners, development and investment partners, and third-party clients, as well as a current understanding of market conditions to inform site selection and underwriting.

As Focus evaluates new markets, the Director leads due diligence to understand each market and establish a presence there. The Director partners with executive leadership on business development strategy, translating market insight into target markets, product types, and deal priorities. In collaboration with the Development Team and the Capital Markets & Investments Team, the Director prepares for and supports zoning entitlements, including neighborhood, aldermanic, and community meetings.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in Business or Real Estate.
• At least 5 years of experience in Real Estate Acquisitions.
• Demonstrated success sourcing and securing ground-up development sites, including off-market opportunities.
• Robust real estate industry network, including established brokerage relationships.
• Strong command of market research and analysis, including the ability to assess market conditions and evaluate new markets.
• Experience contributing to business development or growth strategy at the leadership level.
• Proven ability to identify and execute on a vision within real estate development.
• Experience in multifamily underwriting.
• Ability to obtain buy-in for contentious and/or complex transactions.
• Tenacity.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, verbal communication, and presentation skills.
• Exceptional leadership skills.
• Knowledge of MS Office, including PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel to sites and to the Southeastern U.S., greater Midwest region, and new and emerging markets as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing of ground-up multifamily and mixed-use development sites and maintain a pipeline of on-market and off-market opportunities.
• Build and maintain brokerage relationships, positioning Focus as a preferred buyer and partner and generating early access to off-market deals.
• Research, evaluate, and recommend new markets; lead market entry efforts and establish local broker, landowner, and partner networks.
• Monitor and interpret market conditions, including supply and demand, rent and sale comparables, land pricing, construction costs, and competitor activity, and provide actionable insights to leadership.
• Partner with executive leadership to shape business development strategy, including target markets, product types, deal criteria, and pipeline goals.
• Evaluate opportunities through due diligence and zoning and entitlement feasibility reviews, and assist with initial financial modeling and underwriting in partnership with the Senior Analyst.
• Collaborate with the Development Team and the Capital Markets & Investments Team to prepare for and support zoning entitlements, including neighborhood, aldermanic, and community meetings.
• Network within the real estate industry to attract new business, promote Focus projects, and connect executive leadership with key industry events.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director