VP of Entitlements and Land Development

The Vice President of Entitlements, Forward Planning and Development is a senior leadership role within Meritage responsible for overseeing and managing the entitlement and land development process for multiple residential projects. This position plays a crucial role in securing zoning approvals, construction plans, permits, and managing the entire land development lifecycle from initial planning through construction. The VP of Forward Planning and Development will ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in land development, entitlement processes, contractor management, and leadership in the homebuilding industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Entitlement & Zoning Approvals
  • Oversee the entitlement process for multiple projects, ensuring zoning approvals, construction plats, plans, and permits are obtained in a timely and efficient manner.
  • Resolve entitlement issues proactively before and during the development phase to ensure project timelines are met.
  • Collaborate with Land Acquisition team to analyze and evaluate potential acquisitions from an entitlement standpoint. Requires the ability to comprehensively assess land deals, develop plans, timelines and budgets for submission to leadership and, ultimately, be responsible for execution.
  • Work with legal, municipal, and governmental authorities to secure necessary approvals and permits.

• Land Development Operations
  • Manage and oversee land development activities for multiple projects, including overseeing contractors, project schedules, budgets, and progress.
  • Lead the bidding process for land development contracts, ensuring competitive pricing, quality of work, and alignment with project objectives.
  • Negotiate contracts and manage relationships with contractors, consultants, and vendors throughout the development process.
  • Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including environmental standards.

• Budget and Schedule Adherence
  • Ensure projects are executed within the approved budgets and timelines, proactively identifying and resolving issues that could cause delays or budget overruns.
  • Monitor and report on the status of each development project, ensuring that all teams are aligned with established goals and deadlines.

• Team Leadership & Development
  • Recruit, hire, and develop a high-performing team of Land Development Managers, Coordinators, Forward Planning and Entitlements Managers.
  • Provide mentorship, coaching, and ongoing professional development to ensure team members are engaged, effective, and empowered.
  • Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture, ensuring that all team members are aligned with company goals and committed to the development process.
• Risk Management
  • Identify and mitigate risks related to land development activities, including environmental challenges, permitting delays, and contractor performance issues.
  • Develop contingency plans to address unforeseen challenges in the entitlement and development phases.
• Collaboration with Internal Stakeholders
  • Work closely with other departments, including acquisitions, design, construction, and sales, to ensure smooth transitions between phases and alignment with overall company goals.
  • Provide strategic guidance to senior leadership and other stakeholders on development timelines, costs, and potential issues.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required; major in Civil Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field strongly preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of related experience in managing the entitlements, forward planning and development of new residential communities.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in the homebuilding industry, with a strong understanding of land processes.
• Minimum of 15 years of leadership experience in Entitlements, ideally with 10+ years of experience in Land Development, with at least 7 years in a management or supervisory capacity.
• Proven experience in entitlement processes, contract negotiations, budget management, schedule adherence and contractor oversight.

Skills & Competencies:

• Exceptional leadership and team management skills, with a proven track record of building and managing high-performing teams.
• Strong understanding of land development processes, entitlement laws, and local zoning requirements.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to effectively interact with municipal authorities, contractors, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining high standards of quality.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing project budgets and schedules.
• Advanced problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to resolving issues before they impact development timelines or costs.

Are you looking for an incredible career opportunity? Then Meritage Homes is the place for you! From the homes we build to the careers we offer, we believe in quality. Meritage Homes is the ENERGY STAR Partner of The Year in Sustained Excellence for being a leader in protecting the environment and advancing energy efficiency in homebuilding. We are looking for candidates who are excited about furthering their careers, as well as being a part of an organization that helps people live happier, healthier lives. With over 100,000 homes built, Meritage Homes is looking for professionals who are self-starters and want to help our organization grow by providing new and innovative ideas.

When joining Meritage Homes, you and your career can benefit in several ways, including:

• A work environment that encourages creativity and innovative ideas from every level
• An organization that lives by its core values everyday
• Team atmosphere where every individual is considered a vital asset
• State of the art technology to provide an optimal working environment
• A competitive pay structure
• Strong benefits
• Flexibility in work-life integration
• Team-oriented environment where all individuals play an integral role in the company
• Opportunity to further your career in a growing national organization
• Maintain a competitive drive to be the best

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