Land Acquisition Manager

Redwood Living Inc•Oswego, IL

10h•Hybrid

About The Position

At Redwood Living, Inc. ("Redwood"), we believe our success is driven by the people who power us. We are proud to be a multi-state employer with a growing team of over 650 employees committed to building neighborhoods and careers that thrive. Our employees are passionate, talented, and empowered to make decisions that positively impact the lives of our residents. From on-site teams to corporate leadership, every Redwood team member plays a vital role in delivering exceptional experiences. We foster a culture rooted in integrity, open communication, and a commitment to exceeding expectations. As we continue to expand our footprint and grow our team, we seek individuals who share our values and are excited to contribute to a dynamic, forward-thinking organization. At Redwood, you’ll find more than a job - you’ll find a place to grow, lead, and make a difference. Under the general direction of the Vice President of Acquisitions, the Land Acquisition Manager supports and partners with the Vice President of Acquisitions in overseeing the full land entitlement process—from site identification through approvals and preparation for construction—and throughout the project lifecycle. This includes negotiating and acquiring land, partnering with legal on letters of intent and purchase agreements, and managing all aspects of due diligence. The Land Acquisition Manager will support the Vice President of Acquisition, and eventually lead, site design, entitlement and permitting efforts, engineering coordination, easement acquisition, and project budgeting. As such, you will be expected to act as a Redwood-brand ambassador, promote our brand, practice Redwood’s core values, and provide the best resident experience possible. All Redwood employees are expected to conduct all organizational business and practices in accordance to Redwood company policies.

Requirements

Integrity (respectfulness, trustworthiness), empathy, and leadership
Resilience under pressure
Exceptional time management and organizational skills
Strong communication and business acumen
Ability to collaborate across all organizational levels
Proven success managing multiple projects simultaneously
Deadline-driven execution
Strategic thinking aligned with desired outcomes
General computer proficiency with ability to work with multiple programs
College Degree
Experience Managing the full land entitlement process for residential or multi-family developments, from initial planning to preparing the project for construction
2+ years of land acquisition, land development or real estate industry experience.
Ability to travel as needed

Responsibilities

Through mapping and additional efforts, identify target areas in specific markets that align with demographic and neighborhood criteria
Draft, and eventually negotiate Letters of Intent (LOIs) and Purchase Agreements (PAs) with brokers and property sellers
Maintain and update land contract records in the internal D365 Acquisitions Hub database
Request proposals for engineering services, landscaping, environmental studies (e.g., tree surveys, bat studies), and project renderings
Manage deals through a comprehensive Site Review process, including Stage 1 (SR1) and Stage 2 (SR2), to secure necessary approvals and conduct budget planning for acquisition opportunities
Review costs and maintain budget requirements using Business Intelligence (BI) tools to support data-driven financial planning
Evaluate rezoning and site plan requirements of municipalities
Prepare rezoning applications and submit documentation to municipalities as needed
Design site plans and determine product mix in collaboration with Operations
Review due diligence materials and identify potential risks or red flags with Development
Develop and manage entitlement and approval schedules
Prepare and submit site plan approval packages to municipalities
Host neighborhood meetings before public hearings to inform and gather community feedback
Identify required easements, performance guarantees, and impact fees; implement as needed
Research tap fees for water and sanitary
Investigate property tax obligations for potential sites
Oversee engineering process while collaborating with Development, obtain necessary permits, and attend pre-construction meetings
Ensure compliance with City, County, and Township development and maintenance agreements
Attend all municipal meetings as required throughout the approval process
Submit acquisition-related financial documentation to the Finance team
Collaborate with architects on building elevations and municipal design requirements
Review and approve project-related invoices
Participate in internal meetings and cross-functional coordination
Perform special projects related to post-closing concerns
All other related duties, as assigned.