Land Acquisition Manager

Company Description Apex Clean Energy was founded with a singular focus: to accelerate the shift to clean energy. Through origination, construction, and operation of utility-scale wind, solar, and storage facilities, distributed energy resources, and green fuel technologies, Apex is expanding the renewable frontier across North America. Our mission-driven team of more than 400 professionals uses a data-focused approach and an unrivaled portfolio of projects to create solutions for the world’s most innovative and forward-thinking customers. For more information about how Apex is building the energy company of the future, visit apexcleanenergy.com.

Apex strives to excel in every phase of project realization, from origination and financing to construction and asset management. Our mission-driven team seeks determined, resolute individuals who strive to innovate and go above the call of duty, and who will relentlessly do their part to help accelerate the shift to America’s clean energy future.

Job Description

Apex Clean Energy is seeking a Land Acquisition Manager who will be responsible for researching, acquiring, and negotiating all necessary documents and agreements for site acquisition for Apex’s renewable energy projects; including land acquisition, agreement negotiation and management, land divestment, permitting and zoning, and others. Reporting to the Director of Project Development, this role will work closely with fellow Project Developers and Public Engagement Managers and will be responsible for continuously delivering project information to both internal and external stakeholders throughout the land acquisition process.

Our ideal candidate will have directly related professional experience, advanced customer service skills, will have a strong proactive approach and utmost degree of independence, professionalism and dependability. In addition, advanced leadership, negotiating, communication, organizational and attention to detail skills are critical to success as is a comprehensive understanding of land, legal and energy industry principles, processes and procedures.

Primary Responsibilities

• Analyze public records then negotiate, request, and consummate all necessary agreements with third party participants to ensure Apex Clean Energy has rights for development of wind, solar, storage or other renewable energy.
• Site due diligence and factual research into land attributes and project constraints (such as real estate title, physical, political, local, cultural and project development issues); Gather recorded deeds and determine availability for leasing and applicable regulatory guidelines, acquire interests in prospective lands by leasing directly from landowners or via negotiating agreements with industry competitors.
• Accurately update all systems as determined by the department’s needs.
• Assist Land Management department in title curative corrections with landowners.
• Advise management and other departments of pertinent matters related to ownership of leases.
• Be proactive in determining effective negotiating tactics and strategies, finding and developing prospective opportunities for our participation and improving operating efficiencies and productivity.
• Serve as initial point of contact for Apex’s Project Development team, perform office support duties, and facilitate office productivity.
• Assist in coordination of public open houses, landowner meetings, or other events related to projects development and community outreach.
• Effectively communicate with management using an easily understood format as well as attend, prepare for and schedule meetings as necessary.
• Interview, onboard or offboard any land agents.
• Keep in touch with developer or regional team lead needs for projects.
• Help train developers and land agents in Apex land acquisition methods, processes and software utilized.
• Populate and maintain region specific smart sheet spreadsheets.
• Work with regional team leads and developers to find office spaces and kick off projects.
• Monitor agent workload, performance and billing. Work with developers to rectify any issues.
• Maintain relations with local attorneys or local officials for projects if Developers direct to.
• Act as go between with internal teams for land agents such as Project Management, Technology, Legal, IT, Environmental and Accounting. Land agents may have direct contact with PE, leasing and property analysts.
• Assist PE/Dev with local official meetings, fundraising opportunities or events and marketing opportunities.
• Assist with software, process or flow improvements relating to land agent or manager tasks and responsibilities.
• Run project calls for land acquisitions as requested by Developers.
• Request GIS exhibits, Rider requests or assist agents with Redline understanding where Developers approve.
• Request purchase orders through Land Acquisition Admin Coordinator.

Qualifications

To succeed as a Land Acquisition Manager at Apex Clean Energy, you’ll need to excel within the following criteria:

• Undergraduate degree, significant work experience accepted in lieu of degree ideally in land acquisition and/or real estate
• 5+ years professional experience in renewable energy development, land leasing, overhead transmission line leasing, or as an in-house Landman
• Professional experience working on renewable energy projects preferred
• Prior experience working with landowners, project stakeholders, and local government agencies
• Familiarity with the life cycle of utility-scale energy development projects
• Proven experience with complicated title and contract negotiations
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Proven ability to foresee issues, act proactively, and create solutions and recommendations for problems
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work independently with a high level of motivation
• Strong reporting and project management skills
• Excellent communication, writing, and organizational skills
• Problem solving skills and attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Smartsheet (preferred)
• Project management knowledge preferred.
• Ability to work in the local project office
• Extensive travel (50%) is required to various project sites

Additional Information

Work Environment:

Works primarily from home with up to 50% travel in the Midwest Region.

How You’ll Grow

At Apex Clean Energy, our professional development plans focus on helping people at every level of their career to identify and use their strengths to do their best work every day. From entry-level employees to senior leaders, we believe there’s always room to learn. We offer opportunities to help sharpen skills in addition to hands-on experience in the dynamic, fast-paced renewable energy industry. From on-the-job learning experiences to a robust multi-week onboarding experience to formal development programs, our professionals have a variety of opportunities to continue to grow throughout their career.

What Apex Can Offer You

At Apex Clean Energy, we know that great people make a great company. We value our people and offer employees a broad, best-in-class range of benefits.

• A mission-driven, energetic environment that supports and encourages our people to do their best work every day.
• A respect for and celebration of individuality, differences, and uniqueness
• Collaborative and driven professional workforce committed to supporting your ideas and feedback and accelerating your potential
• Ongoing support and guidance such as on-the-job learning, hands-on experience, and mentorship
• Training, strategies, and tools to support your personal and professional growth
• Team atmosphere of diverse professionals committed to making an impact as an organization
• Opportunities to volunteer and give back to our local communities

At this time, Apex will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.

Apex Clean Energy, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.