Land Analyst

Job Title: Land Analyst

Division: Ashton Woods Raleigh

Direct Reports: None

FLSA Status: Salary, non-exempt

Company Overview:

Ashton Woods is more than just a home builder. From the sale of our first home in 1989 to recently being named Builder of the Year by Builder Magazine, our focus has always been on blazing new trails and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in homebuilding. Ashton Woods, the #1 private home builder in the United States, markets its homes through its two award-winning brands, Ashton Woods and Starlight Homes. The Ashton Woods brand is known for designing thoughtfully curated, inspired homes for people who love design. The Starlight Homes brand builds homes specifically for the first-time homebuyer, offering affordable homes with well-executed designs and quality finishes for buyers looking to make the dream of home ownership a reality. The company’s commitment to innovation and continually evolving to meet the needs of the market is a key reason we are one of the most celebrated homebuilders in the nation, winning hundreds of national and local industry awards in product and community design, architecture, merchandising, sales, marketing, and customer service.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Ashton Woods sells new homes in Atlanta, Austin, Charleston, Dallas, Houston, Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix, Raleigh, San Antonio, and Tampa.

Position Overview:

This position is responsible for supporting the Land and Operations team in making decisions based on market data regarding the financial feasibility of prospective land acquisitions in both the Triangle and Triad markets. Important functions include financial analysis, deal summary preparation and presentation, contract review, and coordination of due diligence between the land and entitlement teams in the Raleigh Division.

Duties and Responsibilities: (Including but not limited to)

• Preparation of financial models to analyze financial feasibility of prospective land positions by researching and compiling supporting data pertaining to competitors’ sales and product, demographics, and current market trends.
• Maintain financial models during the due diligence process that accurately reflect current market conditions as each prospective deal proceeds from contract execution to expiration of feasibility.
• Preparation of deal summary packages for presentation to prospective Division President and Leadership team for each prospective deal that will be presented to the Corporate Land Committee for approval.
• Coordination with the entitlement team to ensure proper timing and management of the due diligence process.
• Regular communication within the Division to review deal pipeline and closing dates.
• CMA analysis of potential LOI’s and Land Packages.
• Monthly CMA updates on all active selling communities and land deals under contract.
• Maintain the sales absorptions of competitors to ensure accurate sales rate data in the markets in which the Division operates.
• Other duties as may be required, including but not limited to researching ownership and contact information of off-market properties.

Qualifications:

Minimum: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required with a preferred background in business, finance, real estate, land acquisition, economics, or construction management.

• Preferred: Two years of experience in business, finance, homebuilding, real estate, land acquisition, or construction management.
• A valid driver’s license and insurance is required should an automobile be utilized for travel as required by this position.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Proven organizational skills in a high-paced work environment.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word and able to learn new software as the position may require.
• Self-motivated and capable of communicating ideas and solutions to leadership within the Division.
• Ability to multi-task/prioritize several tasks without compromising quality of work or deadlines.
• Ability to review, analyze and interpret information as well as trouble-shoot to solve problems.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Basic financial modeling experience a plus.
• Knowledge of business English and ability to communicate patiently and professionally with both internal and external customers both orally and in writing.
• Ability to adapt to new conditions in a changing workplace.
• High proficiency with Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and ability to learn new programs as needed.

Experience:

• Home building or real estate experience preferred.
• Financial background with strong analytical skills preferred.
• Land acquisition experience a plus.

Typical Physical and Mental Demands:

• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluently in English.
• Must be able to perform calculations.
• Employees in the position are required to be able to hear and have vision sufficient to utilize all office equipment.
• Use of hands and fingers is required to utilize standard office equipment.
• Requires occasional lifting up to 20 pounds.

These physical requirements are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions if requested.

Working Conditions:

Work is in a typical office environment using standard office equipment. Occasional fieldwork involving visiting field locations and acquisition sites will be required. Fieldwork may present hazards typical when driving an automobile and will also require standing, walking, and navigating stairs or uneven surfaces. Office work is typically sedentary in nature.

Fast paced environment subject to numerous schedule and priority changes potentially with short notice.

Approximately 10% of the job will require out of market travel, by automobile or commercial airlines.