Position Summary

The Land Acquisition Manager drives our land strategy from both ends-sourcing and closing lots that can support near-term construction while developing a long-range pipeline that keeps our housing production schedule moving for years to come.

You will lead market research, site evaluation, financial analysis, due diligence, and transaction coordination. More importantly, you will bring sound judgment to the table about which opportunities are worth pursuing and which are not.

This is a hands-on position. You will spend time walking sites, meeting with brokers, landowners, municipal representatives, and community partners-not just reviewing spreadsheets. You must be comfortable and effective in both environments.

Key Responsibilities

Land Sourcing-Immediate and Long-Term

• Actively source buildable lots for near-term construction, including opportunities available through the City of Dallas Urban Land Bank, Land Transfer Program, municipalities, brokers, landowners, and community partners.
• Build and manage a long-range pipeline of land opportunities aligned with Dallas Area Habitat's multi-year housing goals.
• Track market conditions, land availability, pricing, and neighborhood trends to identify opportunities early.
• Recommend and prioritize target neighborhoods and geographic areas that align with the organization's construction and community development strategies.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with brokers, landowners, municipalities, and other potential land sources.

Site Evaluation and Due Diligence

• Independently evaluate site feasibility, including zoning, utilities, access, floodplain status, environmental conditions, title concerns, easements, infrastructure, and other potential development constraints.
• Visit and walk prospective sites to evaluate access, topography, surrounding uses, neighborhood conditions, and infrastructure.
• Partner with construction and development teams to assess site readiness, constructability, cost implications, and potential development timelines.
• Coordinate and monitor due diligence activities, including surveys, title review, environmental studies, zoning research, utility verification, and related assessments.
• Translate findings into clear, decision-ready recommendations for organizational leadership.

Financial and Transaction Analysis

• Lead financial analysis and preliminary underwriting for potential land acquisitions.
• Evaluate acquisition costs, development considerations, risks, timelines, and overall feasibility.
• Prepare acquisition recommendations and supporting materials for leadership and board consideration.
• Draft, review, and negotiate Letters of Intent and purchase agreements in coordination with leadership and legal counsel.
• Support transactions from initial identification through due diligence, approval, closing, and handoff.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with construction, development, finance, legal, and executive leadership.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with the City of Dallas, surrounding municipalities, public agencies, neighborhood organizations, and community partners.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for brokers, landowners, and other parties involved in potential acquisitions.
• Keep internal stakeholders informed of deal status, risks, decisions, and upcoming deadlines.

Project Tracking and Reporting

• Manage multiple active acquisition opportunities and due diligence processes simultaneously.
• Maintain accurate pipeline reports, transaction files, supporting documentation, and critical deadlines.
• Ensure complete and organized documentation for handoff to construction and other internal teams.
• Prepare land pipeline updates, reports, and presentations for leadership and the board.
• Identify potential delays or barriers early and recommend practical solutions.

What You Bring

• At least three years of directly related, hands-on experience in land acquisition, real estate development, site selection, entitlement, or a closely related area. This is not an entry-level position.
• Demonstrated experience sourcing, evaluating, and advancing land acquisition opportunities.
• Working knowledge of land development, zoning, entitlement, utilities, title matters, environmental considerations, and site feasibility.
• Experience conducting financial analysis or underwriting for real estate or land transactions.
• Ability to read and interpret surveys, site plans, maps, zoning information, financial models, and related documents.
• Strong analytical judgment and the ability to distinguish viable opportunities from sites that present unacceptable costs or risks.
• Excellent organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage a full pipeline without losing track of details or deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with internal teams and external partners, including brokers, landowners, attorneys, consultants, municipal representatives, and community organizations.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of results, and move projects forward with limited day-to-day direction.
• A genuine interest in affordable housing and Dallas Area Habitat's mission. You should care about the "why," not just the deal.

Education and Experience

A bachelor's degree in real estate, finance, urban planning, construction management, economics, business, or a related field is preferred.

An equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and directly related professional experience may be considered.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel locally and regionally approximately 10%-20% of the time.
• Valid driver's license and ability to meet the organization's requirements for driving on company business.
• Ability to work in both office and field environments.
• Ability to walk undeveloped or uneven sites and navigate outdoor conditions while performing site evaluations.
• Occasional evening attendance may be required for municipal, neighborhood, board, or community meetings.
• Successful completion of job-related pre-employment screening, conducted in accordance with applicable law.

Why This Role Matters

Every lot you secure can become a home, an opportunity for a family, and part of a stronger Dallas neighborhood. You are not simply filling a pipeline-you are building the foundation on which everything else we do depends.