Director, Acquisitions

Responsibilities

We’re looking for a strategic Director of Acquisitions to lead site sourcing for ground-up multifamily and mixed-use development in Chicago, its suburbs, and nationally, with an emphasis on the Southeastern U.S. In this role, you’ll shape our pipeline of opportunities and help guide the company’s geographic growth. You’ll report to the Executive Vice President, Development and work closely with executive leadership, internal teams, brokers, landowners, and partners. Your aim will be to bring forward the right sites in the right markets.

Site Sourcing

• Identify, qualify, and secure on-market and off-market development sites.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of ground-up multifamily and mixed-use opportunities.
• Apply a sharp read on land pricing and competitive activity to guide site selection.'

Broker & Partner Relationships

• Become the go-to contact for brokers who want their best opportunities seen first.
• Position Focus as a preferred buyer and partner, generating consistent early access to off-market deals.
• Build strong ties with landowners, development and investment partners, and third-party clients.

Market Insight & New Markets

• Track supply and demand, rent and sale comps, land pricing, construction costs, and competitor activity.
• Turn market findings into actionable insight for leadership and underwriting.
• Research and recommend new markets, then lead entry by building local broker, landowner, and partner networks.

Business Development Strategy

• Partner with executive leadership to shape Focus’s overall business development strategy.
• Define target markets, product types, deal criteria, and pipeline goals.
• Translate market insight into clear deal priorities.

Deal Evaluation & Entitlements

• Evaluate opportunities through due diligence and zoning and entitlement feasibility.
• Support initial financial modeling and underwriting with the Senior Analyst.
• Work with the Development and Capital Markets & Investments teams to prepare for neighborhood, aldermanic, and community meetings.

Industry Presence

• Network across the real estate industry to attract new business.
• Promote Focus’s past, current, and future projects.
• Connect executive leadership to key industry events.

Skills

• 5+ years of experience in real estate acquisitions.
• Demonstrated success sourcing and securing ground-up development sites, including off-market opportunities.
• A robust industry network with established relationships in the brokerage community.
• Strong market research and analysis skills, plus experience in multifamily underwriting.
• Experience contributing to business development or growth strategy at the leadership level.
• Proven ability to set and carry out a vision, and to gain buy-in on complex or contentious transactions.
• Tenacity, exceptional leadership, and excellent interpersonal, written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel to sites and to the Southeastern U.S., the Midwest, and emerging markets as needed.

Education

• Undergraduate degree in Business or Real Estate.

Application

Review the full job description and apply for this position here.