Land Entitlement Manager (Construction)

Mission-Driven Career Opportunity
One of the leading affordable housing nonprofits in the area, Habitat Charlotte Region partners with hundreds of families each year through affordable homeownership, home preservation, and financial literacy training. As a Land Entitlement Manager, you'll play an integral role in our vision of a world where everyone has a safe and affordable place to live.

Title: Land Entitlement Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employment Status: Full-Time
Reports to: Director of Land Acquisition and Development
Department: Land Acquisition and Development / Construction Operations

Position Purpose

The Land Entitlement Manager leads due diligence, entitlement, zoning, and permitting processes to support the creation of affordable homeownership units. This role ensures timely approvals and seamless transitions post-acquisition through active land development, with a focus on optimizing lot yield, construction document quality, minimizing costs, and maintaining production schedules. The Land Entitlement Manager will collaborate across the project lifecycle to optimize delivery and reduce delays.

Essential Functions

• Monitor and manage third-party consultants (e.g., civil engineers, land planners, architects) to ensure deliverables meet quality and schedule expectations.
• Review engineering construction documents for completeness and quality; identify discrepancies and value-engineering opportunities.
• Partner with the Director of Land Acquisition and Development to set priorities, monitor, and report entitlement milestones aligned with affiliate production goals.
• Support the Land Acquisition Project Manager with due diligence, feasibility evaluation, and land/lot cost optimization for new opportunities.
• Coordinate with the Land Development Project Manager on grading, stormwater, and utility plans; translate entitlement conditions for field implementation.
• Support rezoning, annexation, and land use change applications in alignment with strategic growth plans.
• Manage the creation of initial land development cost estimates through permitting.
• Lead subdivision and municipal bonding processes.
• Assist with municipal zoning reviews for scattered lots, easements, and right-of-way acquisitions, as needed.
• Maintain project tracking systems and provide regular updates to leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Stay current on land use trends and municipal/state land use policy updates.
• Perform other departmental projects as aligned with the position purpose.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, planning, or related field; or equivalent relevant experience.
• 2–3 years of experience in residential land entitlement, preferably in homebuilding or a related industry.
• Familiarity with the homebuilding lifecycle from land acquisition through vertical construction.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects across municipalities and counties.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to communicate obstacles, recommendations, costs, and benefits clearly.
• Proficiency in reading/interpreting surveys, plats, construction documents, UDOs, and land use plans.
• Strong understanding of zoning, permitting, and regulatory rules.
• Skilled in relationship-building and collaboration with consultants, municipal staff, and internal/external partners.
• Proficiency with MS Office (especially Excel); ability to learn SmartSheet and other internal platforms.
• Experience with CAD, ESRI products, Siteworks, or other technical land-use/engineering software is a plus.

Work Environment

• Primarily office-based with occasional site visits to potential or owned land within the affiliate's portfolio.

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit at a desk and use a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to conduct occasional land site visits.
• Valid driver's license and reliable personal vehicle required.
• Ability to read and analyze documents and correspondence.

Note: The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. All employees may be assigned other duties as needed.