Right of Way Agent

Grid United•Tucson, AZ

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Grid United is a mission-driven company focused on developing new long-haul electric transmission lines in the United States to create a more reliable, resilient, and affordable grid. Established in 2021, Grid United is developing utility-scale electric multi-state transmission projects that will offer long-term economic benefits, improve grid resiliency, and provide cost savings to consumers. The company is in a fast-growth stage, seeking motivated and entrepreneurial talent, with a strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement and community involvement. This role supports right-of-way (ROW) acquisition for utility-scale transmission projects in the Southwestern United States, primarily Arizona and New Mexico. The Right of Way Agent will negotiate with landowners, conduct title research, manage acquisition contractors, participate in public meetings, and collaborate with various internal teams and external partners. The position reports to the VP, Land or Senior Land Manager and requires travel, with a preferred base in Tucson, AZ.

Requirements

5-10+ years of ROW/land acquisition experience for linear infrastructure (transmission, pipeline, rail, or public works), including complex negotiations and title curative.
Prior ROW acquisition experience on projects with and without eminent domain authority; proven success closing multi-tract programs across private, state, and federal lands.
Strong background in title, including mineral estates and title curative; ability to interpret title and appraisal reports, easement instruments, legal descriptions, land surveys, and metes-and-bounds descriptions.
Expert communicator and negotiator with high integrity and steady judgment in sensitive stakeholder settings.
Knowledge of general real estate law.
Valid driver’s license required and ability to travel to project sites as needed.
Exceptional organizational skills, including the ability to multi-task efficiently with constant regard for accuracy and quality.
Effective communication skills with the ability to lead public presentations.
Strong writing skills, including both technical and persuasive writing.
Ability to read and digest large amounts of information rapidly.
Deep curiosity for all functional areas of development including commercialization, engineering, land acquisition, public outreach, and US state and federal regulations.
Adaptability and flexibility to manage deadline pressure, ambiguity and uncertainty, and project changes.
Strong computer and data management skills, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
Ability to work collaboratively in a small, nonhierarchical organization.
Familiarity and basic proficiency with professional GIS systems and maps.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, real estate, communications, or related field preferred; commensurate experience may be substituted for the degree requirement.
IRWA membership, coursework, or designation preferred; Arizona and/or New Mexico real estate license a plus; notary credential preferred, must obtain.

Responsibilities

Negotiate options, easements, temporary access, and related land rights directly with landowners supporting Grid United’s projects in the Southwestern United States, primarily Arizona and New Mexico.
Understand and perform title research; identify and resolve title defects, encumbrances, and curative requirements to deliver insurable, marketable real property rights. Work with external parties, when needed, to review and inspect title commitments and policy endorsements.
Apply GU ROW Policy Manual, document control, and execution workflow (signature routing, recordation, file return).
Align with Development/Engineering on construction and pre-construction activities including workspace and access road development and acquisition, and Plan of Development inputs; synchronize with GIS on tract status and PMA (Project Mapping Application) governance; and support environmental and non-environmental permitting submittals.
Support non-environmental permit processes, third party consents, and foreign line crossing agreements.
Provide day-to-day direction and quality review of land acquisition subcontractors and third-party land service providers (agents, title, abstractors); enforce reporting cadence and quality per GU standards.
Demonstrate the Landowner-First principles in every interaction; support meetings/open houses and manage sensitive negotiations as needed.
Maintain tract diaries, database records, status dashboards, and document links consistent with PMA/GIS data capture policy; coordinate team communications, meetings, and reports.
Travel to project sites, landowner meetings, and public involvement meetings as needed; perform all other duties as assigned.
Support and supervise external contract or vendor staff and direct activities as necessary. QA/QC external contract or vendor deliverables and assess performance.