President, Land (Canada)

President, Land (Canada)

Company Overview

Empire Communities (“Empire”) is one of the largest family-owned and operated North American new home and condominium builders. Empire engages in all elements of the business from land acquisition, through planning and entitlement, design, construction, marketing, and sales. Empire also has an emerging division that develops rental properties and assumes management of them. Over the past 30 years, Empire has built over 32,000 homes in over 90 communities. Empire’s team is made up of over 700 employees spanning across Ontario; Texas; Georgia; Tennessee and North Carolina and South Carolina, and Colorado. Empire’s goal is to continue to fuel growth in people and places.

As Empire continues to expand its footprint in the land market, we are looking for a President, Land to lead the way in Canada. This is an opportunity to shape the future of Canadian communities by bringing the best land acquisition and development practices into play. Your leadership will directly influence the communities we build and the lives we impact.

Role Overview

The President, Land leads the Canadian Land division with oversight of land acquisition, land development, and long-term strategic planning. Reporting to the COO, this executive possesses  deep knowledge of the real estate market, and will oversee key business areas with a focus on maximizing returns on land assets, achieving strategic goals, and driving operational growth. This role will play a critical part in formulating long-range goals, developing acquisition plans, and implementing operational strategies.

As a key leader, the President will champion the execution of Empire’s mission, lead a high performing team, and ensure that the division achieves its financial and operational goals and maintains a focus on customer’s product and services needs in building exceptional homes and communities of enduring value.

Role Breakdown

Planning:

• Implement the vision set by the Chief Operating Officer, ensuring the achievement of strategic priorities and goals of the business plan, with the aim of maximizing return and minimizing risk for the company.
• Direct the development and maintenance of long-range strategies and plans regarding volume, market share, financial requirements, human resource needs, and organizational plans.
• Drive a collaborative acquisitions process, including working with the Corporate Investment Group and the Chief Operating Officer, Canada, to reach sound conclusions on the pricing/viability of all land acquisitions.
• Plan and direct research to recommend improvement or profitable expansion of operations.

Leading:

• Champion the execution of the Divisions’ long- and short-range plans.
• Vision, drive, and encourage the development of new market opportunities and products.
• Inspire the Senior Management team in the Canadian Land Division to establish and maintain exemplary customer, employee, and public relations.

Managing:

• Report regularly to the Chief Operating Officer, Land regarding progress with respect to long-range and annual strategies for marketing, sales, and profits.
• Establish, communicate, monitor, and control Divisional Standard Operating Procedures.
• Establish goals and performance criteria for departments and the Division as a whole; measure performance against established criteria regularly.
• Oversee and direct tactical activities of the business unit, including land development, financial, and operational aspects with the goal of maximizing growth and profitability.
• Ensure effective divisional systems, procedures, and financial controls are established and maintained.

Key Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Real Estate, Finance,  or a related field required.
• MBA or master’s level degree an asset.
• 15+ years of operations, finance, development, or project management background, with demonstrated successes in homebuilding and/or land development.
• Senior leadership experience within a multi-divisional matrix organization in a public or private homebuilder required.
• Experience leading and developing a team of Real Estate and Construction professionals with a collaborative, entrepreneurial approach.
• Strong understanding of provincial submarkets required, including solid industry relationships with various constituencies and respect among peers.
• Advanced proficiency with MS Office Excel, reading, and interpreting financial documents and reports.

Culture

At Empire, our purpose is “Fueling Growth in People and Places.” This philosophy embodies and complements our company brand, as we accelerate growth in our people, customers, and our communities. We believe in igniting a feeling within our employees that they can design their own journey. We are a value driven organization with a strong desire to elevate, strategize and help people move forward.