Land Acquisition Manager

Redwood Living; Crystal Lake (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Redwood Living, based in Crystal Lake, IL, seeks a Land Acquisition Manager to support land entitlement processes from site identification to project approval. The ideal candidate has a college degree, 2+ years of experience in land acquisition, and strong skills in negotiation and strategic thinking. The role involves significant responsibilities including securing land, managing budgets, and collaborating with various teams to ensure project success. This position requires travel and exceptional time management. Join a company that values integrity and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience managing the full land entitlement process for residential or multi-family developments.
• 2+ years of land acquisition or real estate industry experience.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Identify target areas aligning with demographic criteria.
• Negotiate Letters of Intent and Purchase Agreements.
• Manage deals through the Site Review process.
• Prepare rezoning applications and conduct budget planning.
• Collaborate with Development on due diligence.

Skills

Integrity

Time management

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Leadership

Resilience under pressure

Strategic thinking

Collaboration skills

Education

College degree

Tools

D365 Acquisitions Hub

Job description

At Redwood Living, Inc. (“Redwood”), we believe our success is driven by the people who power us. We are 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.

Position Overview

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, the Land Acquisition Manager will act as a Redwood‑brand ambassador, promote our brand, practice Redwood’s core values, and provide the best resident experience possible.

Core Values

• Do One Thing Really Well
• Be Entrepreneurial
• Serve Those You Lead
• Deliver More Than Expected
• Communicate Openly and Honestly
• Instill Family and Team Spirit
• Demonstrate Integrity and Authenticity
• Be Nice and Have Fun

Duties & Responsibilities

• Identify target areas in specific markets that align with demographic and neighborhood criteria through mapping and additional analysis.
• 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 processes 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.

Required Skills

• 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.

Required Qualifications

• 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.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to use standard office equipment such as computers, desk phones, cell phones, photocopiers, etc.
• Must be able to navigate stairs occasionally, particularly in the event of elevator outages or during emergency situations.
• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time, stand, bend, and walk with the ability to lift 30 pounds occasionally.

Attendance and Scheduling

• Punctuality and consistent attendance are essential for success in this role, and employees must adhere to set start times and assigned schedules.
• This position requires at least 30% travel with consistent visits to the home office.

Work Environment

• Job is performed in a professional office environment.
• Exposure to varying indoor temperatures depending on location in the building and season.
• Combination of natural daylight and standard office lighting throughout the workspace.
• Movement across multiple flooring types, including tile, carpet, and other transitions.
• An open workspace layout, defined by a shared space without traditional enclosed offices or high‑walled cubicles, may introduce distractions or reduce privacy.
• Possibility of shared desk spaces.

Redwood Living, Inc. is an equal‑opportunity employer. Redwood strictly prohibits and does not tolerate illegal discrimination, and Redwood provides equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.