Land Acquisition Manager at Redwood Living Inc – Oswego, Illinois

About Redwood

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

As we continue to expand our footprint and grow our team, we seek individuals who share our values and are excited to contribute to a dynamic, forward-thinking organization. At Redwood, you’ll find more than a job - you’ll find a place to grow, lead, and make a difference.

We live by eight core values that guide everything we do:
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, you will be expected to act as a Redwood-brand ambassador, promote our brand, practice Redwood’s core values, and provide the best resident experience possible.

All Redwood employees are expected to conduct all organizational business and practices in accordance to Redwood company policies.

Duties & Responsibilities

Through mapping and additional efforts, identify target areas in specific markets that align with demographic and neighborhood criteriaDraft, and eventually negotiate Letters of Intent (LOIs) and Purchase Agreements (PAs) with brokers and property sellersMaintain and update land contract records in the internal D365 Acquisitions Hub databaseRequest proposals for engineering services, landscaping, environmental studies (e.g., tree surveys, bat studies), and project renderingsManage 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 opportunitiesReview costs and maintain budget requirements using Business Intelligence (BI) tools to support data-driven financial planningEvaluate rezoning and site plan requirements of municipalitiesPrepare rezoning applications and submit documentation to municipalities as neededDesign site plans and determine product mix in collaboration with OperationsReview due diligence materials and identify potential risks or red flags with DevelopmentDevelop and manage entitlement and approval schedulesPrepare and submit site plan approval packages to municipalitiesHost neighborhood meetings before public hearings to inform and gather community feedbackIdentify required easements, performance guarantees, and impact fees; implement as neededResearch tap fees for water and sanitary Investigate property tax obligations for potential sitesOversee engineering process while collaborating with Development, obtain necessary permits, and attend pre-construction meetingsEnsure compliance with City, County, and Township development and maintenance agreementsAttend all municipal meetings as required throughout the approval process Submit acquisition-related financial documentation to the Finance teamCollaborate with architects on building elevations and municipal design requirementsReview and approve project-related invoicesParticipate in internal meetings and cross-functional coordinationPerform special projects related to post-closing concernsAll other related duties, as assigned. Required Skills:

Integrity (respectfulness, trustworthiness), empathy, and leadershipResilience under pressureExceptional time management and organizational skillsStrong communication and business acumenAbility to collaborate across all organizational levelsProven success managing multiple projects simultaneouslyDeadline-driven executionStrategic thinking aligned with desired outcomesRequired 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 construction2+ 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.

Discover the amazing benefits and perks that Redwood Apartment Neighborhoods offers! Visit our website today to learn more and see why Redwood is a great place to work: Redwood Apartment Neighborhoods | Employee Benefits & Perks

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