Director, Land & Title

Responsibilities

Responsible for leading, guiding and managing the land acquisition team and land title team efforts across all project sites. This role involves the leadership of all aspects of real estate associated with current and future business, including direction, supervision, planning, and training of internal and contracted staff while engaged in real estate related activities. Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

Lead the Land and Title Department

Supervise team of managers.

• Identify and manage land acquisition teams across various markets.
• Supervise land and title staff, internal and contracted, in a way to most efficiently and timely effect the requirements of various projects as needed.
• Manage the department budget
• Establish and maintain KPIs for land team
• Maintain land asset management software
• Track and communicate marketplace dynamics

Implement Land Acquisition Strategies for Utility Scale Wind

• Develop Strategies for community engagement campaigns.
• Develop and execute on acquisition plans for new project sites
• Plan for and secure site control, including but not limited to meeting with property owners and their representatives and acquire all real estate rights needed in support of project development, including fee simple land, leases, easements, and rights-of-way.
• Negotiate any required land purchases for development projects and provide support for any required local, county, state and federal permit applications. Produce and maintain accurate landowner contacts and records consistent with the company real estate inventory database.
• Coordinate communications with landowners as necessary during development and preconstruction.
• Manage relationships with customers, landowners, state and local officials and other stakeholders to maintain a positive reputation, which may include regular scheduled phone contact, newsletters, meetings, etc.

This description is not intended to cover all tasks required to complete the work, and we expect the employee to take initiative in all areas required to accomplish the ultimate goals. For example, some routine administrative and documentation tasks are not covered here.

Qualifications:

Experience

• BA/BS Degree in Business, Real Estate, or Finance; Paralegal Degree is a plus
• 8+ years of experience in land acquisition and development for utility-scale renewable energy projects
• Proven experience managing internal/external land agents and legal teams
• Experience reviewing, interpreting and resolving title and vesting issues

Skills

• Strong understanding of wind energy and wind farm development.
• Understanding and familiarity with title matters, land use, land (ALTA) surveys, GIS, and other real estate-related activities.
• Understanding and familiarity with the full life cycle development of utility-scale wind.
• Working knowledge of chain of title, surface lease agreements, and title curative documents
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Comfortable being “hands-on” and “boots on the ground.”
• High degree of emotional intelligence, working virtually in complex teams/environments.
• Proven success working with all levels of management.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

Travel

• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time.
• Preference for location in Minneapolis area or able to attend in-person company meetings in Minneapolis as required if remotely located.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced business environment.
• Strong problem-solving and strategic thinking skills; ability to add value through creative input and forward-thinking.
• Driven, resourceful, and comfortable working in an entrepreneurial environment.