Manager of Land Acquisition and Development

Ashton Woods•Myrtle Beach, SC

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Ashton Woods is a leading home builder focused on innovation and design. The Manager of Land Acquisition and Development is responsible for sourcing, contracting, entitling, and developing land to ensure the division consistently meets its sales, profitability, and growth targets. This role owns the Myrtle Beach land pipeline from initial deal through finished lot delivery. The position works closely with the VP of Land, Division President, and functional leaders to ensure communities are identified, approved, developed, and delivered on time and on budget.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, real estate, construction management, finance, or related field required.
At least 3 years of experience in land acquisition or land development within homebuilding or related industry.
Experience managing land development projects and contractors.
Experience with entitlement and municipal approval processes.
Strong understanding of land acquisition, development, and homebuilding operations.
Ability to structure and negotiate complex land transactions.
Financial acumen including underwriting, proformas, and deal evaluation.
Knowledge of zoning, permitting, and local regulatory requirements.
Ability to read and interpret site plans, engineering drawings, and development budgets.
Strong market awareness including pricing, demand trends, and product positioning.
Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Strong communication and leadership skills
Ability to work on active residential construction sites, including walking on uneven surfaces and navigating typical job site conditions.
Ability to frequently walk and stand for extended periods and move throughout multi-level structures, including ascending and descending stairs and ladders as required.
Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing 20 pounds or more, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle, maintain a valid and active driver’s license, and travel between job sites, offices, and assigned communities as required.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.
Real estate license preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead Myrtle Beach area land acquisition and land development efforts for the division and ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
Maintain a consistent pipeline of new deals to support long-term lot supply and growth targets.
Identify and source new land opportunities including direct to owner, brokered deals and assemblages.
Negotiate contracts and business terms that meet or exceed division financial requirements.
Manage the full contract process including deal structuring, risk identification, and coordination with legal and consultants.
Oversee entitlement, zoning, and permitting efforts to maximize density and value while managing risk.
Partners with engineers, planners, attorneys, and municipalities to drive approvals and resolve issues.
Lead underwriting and market analysis including pricing, absorption, product positioning, and competitive analysis.
Present investment opportunities to division leadership with clear recommendations and risk assessment.
Manage land development from project start through lot delivery.
Ensure projects are completed on schedule and within approved budgets.
Coordinate with contractors, engineers, and inspectors to execute development plans.
Oversee infrastructure, amenities, and overall community design execution.
Manage vendor setup and payments, bond release, warranty periods, and community closeout.
Provide regular updates to VP of Land and Division President on pipeline, project status, and risks.
Build and maintain strong relationships with brokers, developers, landowners, and local officials.
Continuously improve market intelligence including land pricing, lot supply, and competitive dynamics.