Right of Way Project Manager - TX, OK, or South Carolina

About the role

You will be assigned to one or more projects to acquire land rights necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance of electric transmission and/or distribution facilities. The role requires excellent communication between field personnel and management, strong leadership, and vital business skills, including management, budgeting, and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Handle complicated negotiations with landowners (or their designees) for the acquisition of land rights related to the construction, reconstruction, or maintenance of electric transmission and/or distribution facilities.
• Settle damage claims with property owners (or their designees) for property damage caused by the client or its contractors during construction, reconstruction, maintenance, or removal of facilities.
• Search courthouse and other records to determine present property ownership and the extent of interests.
• Coordinate with the supervisor to develop project scope, budget, deliverables, and milestones to meet the client’s needs.
• Review and interpret legal documents, property surveys, legal descriptions, surveying drawings, appraisals, and reports.
• Prepare approved legal documents for the acquisition of land rights.
• Serve as the company’s onsite representative for internal functions and attend client meetings.
• Assist in scheduling and completing onsite audits.
• Ensure accuracy of client reports and GIS reporting tools.
• Attend initial project kick-off meetings and subsequent project conference calls.
• Communicate potential cost overruns and scope changes with the client in a timely manner.
• Coordinate with accounting to verify client invoices and follow up with clients.
• Approve project-related expenses.
• Manage direct reports and field personnel, including handling office-related issues.
• Hold regular management meetings for improved communication and training.
• Communicate client scope changes with direct reports.
• Provide alignment between delivery and services with shared services.
• Generate and submit change order documentation to support scope changes when necessary.
• Monitor and coordinate staffing levels with the client.
• Provide project reporting to the client in accordance with the client’s schedule or as directed by the supervisor.
• Assist the supervisor by providing guidance on staffing.
• Monitor the closeout process, establish lessons learned on right-of-way projects, and recommend process improvements.
• Approve vouchers for payments incurred in the acquisition of land rights.
• Work closely with the project team(s)/supervisor to develop processes and procedures.
• Identify and communicate with the project team about access roads and routing options.
• Provide coaching and training to assist direct reports in improving their performance.
• Assist the supervisor with developing plans and ideas for employee engagement.
• Conduct performance reviews of direct reports and communicate with the supervisor.
• Train direct reports and other key field personnel on new company processes.
• Complete a skillset matrix for direct reports and communicate with the supervisor.
• Communicate potential leads with the supervisor.
• Coordinate with the supervisor in identifying potential events and organizations for support.
• Assist in asset inventory.
• Participate in AAPL or IRWA where applicable; local association involvement at a leadership level is recommended.
• Attend industry-related seminars or events deemed necessary by the supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Effective communication skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software and email.
• Four to six years of supervisory experience.
• At least eight years of relevant experience in the industry.
• Good understanding of the legal aspects of documents required to complete the project, as well as area property values, general environmental issues, and permitting requirements of jurisdictional agencies in the project area.
• Ability to work autonomously and collaborate fully as a team player.
• Strong attention to detail, planning, organization, and time management skills.
• Ability to work in a team environment and willingness to assume additional or new responsibilities.
• Ability to maintain regular attendance as per the agreed work schedule (may require an adjusted work schedule based on project assignments and overtime if warranted).
• Ability to comply with applicable laws and regulations and company policies and procedures.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Spends up to 50% of time in the project area.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.