Senior Manager - Land & ROW

Tallgrass•Houston, TX

About The Position

Description Primary purpose: Lead and oversee all aspects of land acquisition, easement and permit management, landowner and agency relations, damage negotiations, litigation support, and regulatory compliance. Provide strategic direction and operational leadership to ensure successful execution of land-related activities supporting Commercial, Business Development, and Engineering & Construction teams. Responsibilities Essential duties and responsibilities: Provide senior leadership, mentorship, and direct supervision to Real Estate and Right-of-Way staff, fostering professional growth and high performance. Serve as the primary company representative in complex negotiations and interactions with landowners, tenants, governmental agencies, land and mineral developers, and utility companies. Develop and implement strategies for acquisition of real estate interests, easement rights amendments, releases, zoning issues, damage evaluations, and settlements. Lead the preparation, review, and management of land-related contracts and documentation, ensuring alignment with company policies and regulatory requirements. Collaborate closely with Legal, Regulatory, and Project Management teams to support litigation, condemnation, quiet title actions, and compliance initiatives. Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the land management function to enhance efficiency, compliance, and stakeholder satisfaction. Champion a culture of safety, integrity, and regulatory compliance across all land operations. Manage project budgets, resource allocation, and timelines to meet or exceed business objectives. Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, demonstrating professionalism, tact, and transparency. Lead special projects and initiatives assigned by senior leadership. Qualifications Minimum requirements : Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a related field such as land management, energy management, geography, business, public administration, engineering, law, etc. is preferred or 10 years of equivalent experience. Experience/Specific Knowledge: A minimum of ten (10) years of experience with right-of-way and land acquisition within the energy sector. A minimum of ten (10) years of demonstrated leadership and people management experience. In-depth knowledge of real property law, business law, title examination, pipeline construction, and land use practices. Knowledge of engineering terminology, drawings, and maps. Strong understanding of federal, state, and local regulations governing land acquisition and management. Proven success managing complex project budgets and multi-disciplinary teams. Proven ability to drive positive changes with continuous improvement. Proficiency with land-related software and MS Office suite (Excel, Word, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Outlook). Certifications, Licenses & Registrations: Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers (for travel). Competencies, Skills & Abilities: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Advanced interpersonal skills to lead, influence, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including contractors and regulatory bodies. Ability to manage multiple high-priority tasks under tight deadlines. Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities. Proven ability to lead integrated project teams and manage property-related issues to minimize impacts on budget, schedule, and asset operability. Commitment to uphold the highest standards of safety, ethics, and regulatory compliance. Physical Demands: All of the physical requirements listed below are those that may be necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Sitting; standing; walking or moving throughout facility; driving; talking; seeing (specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus); hearing; feeling; bending or stooping; squatting or crouching; reaching; kneeling; pushing; pulling; lifting up to 25 lbs. Minimal safety hazards; general office working conditions. Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time. The employee is regularly required to use hands to type, touch, handle, or feel. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk and climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Working Conditions: Will work non-traditional hours as needed. Travel is required. Required to carry a cell phone and be available to respond during working and non-working hours. Candidates will be required to clear up a drug screen and complete a background check, including a credit report for certain positions after an offer has been extended and prior to being employed. Supervisory Responsibility: Yes PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, & ABILITIES: Above the minimum requirements, not required but advantageous in this position: Advanced degree from an accredited institution in Business, Engineering, or a related discipline.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a related field such as land management, energy management, geography, business, public administration, engineering, law, etc. is preferred or 10 years of equivalent experience.
A minimum of ten (10) years of experience with right-of-way and land acquisition within the energy sector.
A minimum of ten (10) years of demonstrated leadership and people management experience.
In-depth knowledge of real property law, business law, title examination, pipeline construction, and land use practices.
Knowledge of engineering terminology, drawings, and maps.
Strong understanding of federal, state, and local regulations governing land acquisition and management.
Proven success managing complex project budgets and multi-disciplinary teams.
Proven ability to drive positive changes with continuous improvement.
Proficiency with land-related software and MS Office suite (Excel, Word, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Outlook).
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers (for travel).
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Advanced interpersonal skills to lead, influence, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including contractors and regulatory bodies.
Ability to manage multiple high-priority tasks under tight deadlines.
Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
Proven ability to lead integrated project teams and manage property-related issues to minimize impacts on budget, schedule, and asset operability.
Commitment to uphold the highest standards of safety, ethics, and regulatory compliance.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree from an accredited institution in Business, Engineering, or a related discipline.

Responsibilities

Provide senior leadership, mentorship, and direct supervision to Real Estate and Right-of-Way staff, fostering professional growth and high performance.
Serve as the primary company representative in complex negotiations and interactions with landowners, tenants, governmental agencies, land and mineral developers, and utility companies.
Develop and implement strategies for acquisition of real estate interests, easement rights amendments, releases, zoning issues, damage evaluations, and settlements.
Lead the preparation, review, and management of land-related contracts and documentation, ensuring alignment with company policies and regulatory requirements.
Collaborate closely with Legal, Regulatory, and Project Management teams to support litigation, condemnation, quiet title actions, and compliance initiatives.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the land management function to enhance efficiency, compliance, and stakeholder satisfaction.
Champion a culture of safety, integrity, and regulatory compliance across all land operations.
Manage project budgets, resource allocation, and timelines to meet or exceed business objectives.
Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, demonstrating professionalism, tact, and transparency.
Lead special projects and initiatives assigned by senior leadership.