Director of Acquisitions

Our client, a leading affordable housing developer, is hiring for a Director of Acquisitions. This role oversees land acquisition across the state of CA, sourcing sites, running deals from first look through close, and bringing opportunities to a small investment committee. Additionally, you will work directly with the SoCal development lead on RFP responses and oversee an acquisitions associate. The position is based in San Diego on a hybrid schedule.

Why Consider This Job:

• This isn't a support seat under a bigger acquisitions team – you drive the ship.
• The investment committee is small and nimble, meaning there are not multiple layers or weeks of delays for a decision.
• Most of the pipeline comes from land the team sources, not RFPs, so there's real room to shape what gets built.

Responsibilities:

• Source and originate land acquisition opportunities across California, primarily through direct outreach and off market pursuits
• Respond to public agency RFPs alongside the Southern CA development lead
• Move deals from identification through purchase agreement and close, including extended escrow periods on larger sites
• Target sites with by right approvals to shorten the path to construction
• Coordinate due diligence, including environmental, governmental, and contracting reports
• Support or lead deal underwriting
• Negotiate purchase terms alongside managing seller and broker relationships
• Present pursuits to the investment committee and secure internal approval to proceed
• Partner with finance on securing project financing for pursuits
• Manage and mentor an acquisitions associate

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• 8 years in land acquisition or real estate development
• Entitlement and land use experience
• Working knowledge of California land markets and approval processes

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to fully underwrite a deal independently
• Background in affordable housing, market rate multifamily, or brokerage
• Familiarity with affordable housing financing structures
• Acquisition rehab experience in addition to ground up land work
• Experience acquiring land from public agencies or other public land holding entities
• Active real estate broker or salesperson license

Compensation:

*The below represents the lowest to highest expected salary range for this job opening upon hire. Our client ultimately may pay more or less than the posted salary range, and the salary range may be modified in the future. Our client will consider job-related factors including, but not limited to, education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and business or organizational needs when determining pay.