Associate - Entitlement

Keller Augusta; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading real estate development firm in Dallas is seeking an Associate - Entitlement to support land acquisition and entitlement processes for residential projects. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of experience in real estate development or entitlements. Responsibilities include evaluating land opportunities, conducting due diligence, and coordinating with city agencies to ensure compliance with local regulations. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in land acquisition, real estate development, or entitlements.
• Basic understanding of zoning, permitting, and land development processes.

Responsibilities

• Assist in sourcing and evaluating potential land opportunities.
• Support financial analysis including land valuation and feasibility studies.
• Conduct market research and demographic analysis.

Skills

Analytical skills

Financial modeling

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Business, or related field

Job description

Our client is a Dubai-based, well-capitalized, vertically integrated real estate development and construction platform establishing and scaling its U.S. residential business, with Dallas serving as its U.S. headquarters. The firm is backed by a global organization of ~55,000 employees, with 50+ million square feet under development internationally, and decades of experience delivering large-scale residential and mixed-use projects.

The U.S. platform has an active pipeline of ~1,000 homes, with homes already under construction, and a clear mandate to scale from ~500 homes annually toward several thousand units per year over time. The business operates with a conservative, equity-funded capital structure and a fully integrated execution model spanning development, construction, and offsite manufacturing, supporting the build-out of an institutional, multi-market U.S. residential platform.

Position Overview

The Associate - Entitlement supports the identification, evaluation, acquisition, and entitlement of land for residential development projects. This role works closely with internal teams, consultants, and government agencies to help move projects from initial site selection through approvals.

Key Responsibilities

Land Acquisition Support

• Assist in sourcing and evaluating potential land opportunities
• Conduct preliminary due diligence (zoning, utilities, access, environmental constraints)
• Support financial analysis including land valuation and feasibility studies
• Coordinate with brokers, landowners, and developers during negotiations
• Maintain land pipeline tracking and reporting systems
• Assist in managing the entitlement process, including zoning, rezoning, and permitting
• Coordinate with city/county planning departments and regulatory agencies
• Track approval timelines and ensure compliance with local regulations
• Help prepare and submit entitlement applications and supporting documents
• Work with consultants (civil engineers, planners, environmental specialists)

Project Coordination

• Support cross-functional coordination with legal, finance, engineering, and construction teams
• Monitor project milestones and flag risks or delays
• Maintain organized documentation for all land and entitlement activities

Research & Analysis

• Conduct market research and demographic analysis
• Analyze local land use policies and development trends
• Prepare reports, presentations, and internal recommendations

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Business, or related field
• 3-5 years of experience in land acquisition, real estate development, or entitlements
• Basic understanding of zoning, permitting, and land development processes
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Knowledge of real estate contracts and due diligence processes