Land Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Employment Status:
Full Time
Pay Range:
Dept.:
Community Development
Southern California Division
Land Development Purchasing Manager
Job Description
Reporting Relationship: Vice President of Community Development
Department: Community Development
Location: Irvine, CA
Approval Date: June 2026
FLSA Status: Exempt
Salary Range: $115K - $125K
Summary
The Land Development Purchasing Manager is responsible for supporting land acquisition efforts and the purchasing and contracting of all scopes of work related to land development.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Specific responsibilities will vary and may include, but are not limited to:
Due Diligence:
1. Provide support for land acquisition due diligence investigation including identification of offsite construction issues. Perform site visits and feasibility analysis as it relates to land development.
2. Prepare site development budget. Coordinate with CD Manager for non-finished lot costs.
3. Work with Land Development Manager to create and establish land development schedules to be used in the Proforma.
Offsite Purchasing:
1. Primary responsibility includes purchasing for offsite and in tract land development, including mass and rough grading, retaining walls, wet and dry utilities, street improvements, traffic signals, channel improvements and mitigation sites.
2. Create the bid documents, obtain qualified bids, perform bid analysis and award the contract. This could include public bid documents.
3. Communicate with land development team on a regular basis and attend field meetings when requested. Review and approve all change orders.
4. Proactively communicate field changes/change orders to CD Managers. Work with CD Managers to update offsite budgets and cash flows.
5. Review and maintain current offsite construction specifications and scopes of work. Establish, monitor and maintain consistent processes and checklists.
Engineering Plan Review:
1. Work alongside the CD Manager and Land Development Manager to review engineering plans and provide feedback on constructability, design standards and Shea requirements.
2. Coordinate with civil and soils engineers as needed.
Other:
1. Establish and develop a partnership relationship with offsite trades. Recruit new trades as needed. Report on trade performance as necessary.
2. Work closely with Community Development to ensure consistent communication between the Community Development Managers and the Land Development Team.
3. Familiarity with resource agency permit requirements.
4. Other duties/projects as assigned.
Performance Standards
1. Conduct field visits to each active land development project throughout the division. It is anticipated this job will include 75% of time spent in the office and 25% in the field.
2. Monitor and verify Land Development Team and offsite trades adherence to Shea standards.
3. Attend value engineering/constructability meetings.
Knowledge/Experience
1. 5 years minimum field experience in land development.
2. 2 years minimum offsite purchasing experience.
3. Extensive knowledge of civil and soils engineering principles.
4. Extensive knowledge and experience with all offsite construction tasks.
5. Experience in land acquisition due diligence.
6. College degree preferred.
Skills/Abilities
1. Ability to work, think, and make independent decisions.
2. Ability to interface with a variety of personalities, this includes working direct with sellers.
3. Excellent communication skills.
4. Excellent negotiation skills - a win-win mindset.
5. Ability to read, interpret, and troubleshoot plans.
6. Administration, scheduling, time management, priority settings, and follow up a must.
7. Ability to work well under pressure and to juggle multiple projects and priorities.
8. Computer skills include Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, Project, Co-Pilot
Professional Performance Standards
Responsible and accountable for executing the specific responsibilities listed above in complete conformance with goals, expectations and schedule commitments of the Division.
Physical Demand and Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to talk and hear. The associate frequently is required to walk, and sit, and occasionally is required to stand. The associate must occasionally lift and/or move up to approximately 25 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.