Vice President, Acquisitions & Portfolio Strategy
Job Description
Posted Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) is the world’s largest network of privately owned campgrounds and the leader in outdoor hospitality. KOA has 500+ locations across the United States and Canada including a mix of franchised and company-owned parks (OAK). Founded in 1962, the mission of KOA is “connecting people to the outdoors and each other,” and those who represent the brand share the values of being family-oriented, passionate, entrepreneurial, customer-focused, and innovative.
At KOA, we believe the outdoors is fun and for everyone. We are committed to having an environment where all are treated with dignity and respect. We strive to:
- intentionally create a sense of community and belonging for our guests, employees and franchise partners
- continually educate ourselves and expand our knowledge to foster an inclusive and supportive environment
- sustain a culture that promotes diversity of thought and experiences
- ensure everyone has the ability to experience the outdoors and that our facilities are accessible to all
- drive change in our company and industry through action and implementation
Summary:
The Vice President, Acquisitions & Portfolio Strategy is an executive position responsible for leading KOA’s enterprise-wide growth strategy and portfolio optimization through campground and RV park acquisitions, property dispositions, strategic partnerships, and development opportunities. This role blends deep real estate investment expertise with KOA’s brand promise of delivering exceptional outdoor stays and experiences.
The VP, Acquisitions & Portfolio Strategy will identify, evaluate structure, and execute acquisitions, dispositions, and development opportunities to expand or optimize KOA’s owned-and-operated portfolio while enhancing the franchise system’s value. This role partners closely with Finance, Legal, Campground Operations, HR, Development, and Franchise Services to ensure acquisitions are financially sound, operationally scalable, culturally aligned, and accretive to KOA’s long-term growth and EBITDA goals. This position reports directly to the COO.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute KOA’s long-term portfolio optimization plan and real estate growth strategy aligned with corporate objectives and board-approved investment criteria.
- Identify target markets, asset types (campgrounds, RV resorts, glamping properties, mixed-use outdoor hospitality assets), and geographic expansion opportunities.
- Build a robust acquisition pipeline through broker relationships, off-market sourcing, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships.
- Lead feasibility studies, site selection analysis, and market demand modeling for new property opportunities.
- Work closely with the Campground Operations team to identify underperforming properties for disposition.
- Oversee underwriting, valuation modeling, and property due diligence for all potential acquisitions and development projects.
- Evaluate purchase price, capitalization rates, IRR, NOI growth, development costs, and long-term yield performance.
- Partner with the CFO and Finance team on capital allocation, debt and equity structuring, and investment committee materials.
- Assess zoning, land use entitlements, environmental risks, infrastructure needs, and permitting requirements.
- Develop and maintain acquisition financial models, dashboards, and post-close performance tracking metrics.
- Monitor competitive activity, pricing benchmarks, and emerging markets.
- Lead end-to-end transaction processes, including LOIs, purchase agreements, due diligence coordination, and closing execution with the acquisition team and KOA's real estate attorney.
- Negotiate deal terms, pricing, contingencies, and development agreements with sellers, buyers, brokers, and joint-venture partners.
- Manage external advisors, including real estate brokers, attorneys, appraisers, engineers, and environmental consultants.
- Ensure compliance with KOA’s governance standards, investment policies, and risk management frameworks.
Integration & Operational Readiness
- Partner with Campground Operations, HR, IT, Marketing, and Franchise Services for post-acquisition integration plans.
- Oversee the seamless onboarding of acquired properties into KOA’s systems, standards, culture, and brand experience.
- Monitor post-acquisition performance against underwriting assumptions and drive continuous improvement.
Management
- Oversee a small team, including a Senior Financial Analyst and the Director of Due Diligence.
Governance, Reporting & Board Engagement
- Prepare board-level investment memos, growth strategy updates, and acquisition performance reports.
- Present recommendations to executive leadership and the Board of Directors.
- Ensure acquisition decisions align with KOA’s risk tolerance, brand standards, ESG considerations, and long-term strategic plan.
This job description is not intended to cover every possible duty. Other duties may be assigned as needed.
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field or equivalent experience.
- 7+ years of progressive experience in real estate acquisitions, dispositions, development, private equity, or hospitality investment.
- Proven track record leading multi-site or portfolio-level property acquisitions.
- Deep knowledge of real estate underwriting, valuation methodologies, and financial modeling.
- Experience negotiating purchase agreements, development contracts, and joint-venture structures.
- Strong understanding of land use planning, zoning, entitlements, environmental assessments, and infrastructure requirements.
- Executive-level leadership experience with cross-functional teams.
- Exceptional analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
- Ability to travel as needed to evaluate sites and manage transactions (approximately 25%).
Preferred Education and Experience:
- Experience in outdoor hospitality, RV parks, resorts, hotels, or experiential real estate.
- Familiarity with franchise business models and brand-driven property standards.
- Experience working with institutional investors or private equity partners.
- Professional certifications such as CCIM, CFA, or CPM.
- Experience leading development or repositioning projects (ground-up or adaptive reuse).
Physical Demands and Working Conditions:
- Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboard, including lifting and carrying a laptop and other small items up to 20 pounds.
- Prolonged exposure to computer screens and artificial lighting.
- Use of repetitive motion, standing, bending, sitting, lifting, and walking short distances.
- May be expected to drive a vehicle to KOA locations, other locations as directed, and conferences which requires close and distance vision, sitting, seeing and reading signs, traffic signals, other vehicles, etc. Travel occurs in all weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.
- Frequent in person interaction with KOA employees in various settings, where noise level is typically low to moderate, including office spaces.
- Will experience occasional interruptions and shifting priorities.
KOA does not sponsor Visas
KOA currently does NOT hire in the following states:
Alabama
Idaho
Mississippi
Pennsylvania
Missouri
Rhode Island
Arkansas
South Carolina
Delaware
Kansas
New Hampshire
South Dakota
District of Columbia
Louisiana
North Dakota
Vermont
Hawaii
Maryland
Wisconsin
Benefits Offered:
- Medical/Vision Insurance
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Account
- Dependent Care Account
- Paid Life & AD&D Insurance
- Paid Short Term and Long Term Disability
- Voluntary Life & AD&D Insurance
- Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance
- Voluntary Accident Insurance
- Voluntary Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Employee Assistance Program
- 401K Retirement Plan
- 401K Company Contributions
Kampgrounds Of America, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strives to provide an environment where all employees and applicants are treated with respect. The company is committed to fair treatment of all people. This value ensures employees and candidates are treated equally and are protected from discrimination or harassment of any kind. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors, or any other protected status.
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