Land Acquisition Manager, East Region
RWE - Chicago, IL
posted 5 months ago
About the position
The Land Acquisition Manager in the renewables industry is a pivotal regional leadership role at RWE Clean Energy, LLC, responsible for the acquisition, management, and optimization of land assets for renewable energy projects, including wind, solar, storage, and hydrogen facilities. This position requires a strategic approach to planning, negotiation, and coordination to effectively secure and manage land resources that are critical to the success of renewable energy initiatives. In this role, the Land Acquisition Manager will execute a comprehensive land acquisition strategy that aligns with the organization's renewable energy project goals. This involves assisting development teams in identifying suitable land parcels for renewable energy development through thorough market analysis and site assessments. The manager will be responsible for contacting and negotiating land acquisitions through leasing or purchase agreements and easements, ensuring that the terms and conditions are favorable for the organization. Collaboration with legal teams is essential to structure land agreements that comply with legal and regulatory requirements. The manager will conduct thorough due diligence on potential land acquisitions, which includes title searches, environmental assessments, and understanding permitting requirements. Evaluating landowners' willingness to participate in renewable energy projects is also a key responsibility, as is building and maintaining positive relationships with landowners, local communities, government authorities, and other stakeholders. Furthermore, the Land Acquisition Manager must possess a deep understanding of relevant aspects of storage and renewable energy, enabling them to effectively educate landowners about the projects and address any concerns they may have. This role is crucial in ensuring that RWE can expand its renewable energy footprint and contribute to a sustainable energy future.
Responsibilities
- Execute a comprehensive land acquisition strategy aligned with the organization's renewable energy project goals
- Assist development to identify suitable land parcels for renewable energy development through market analysis and site assessments
- Contact and negotiate land acquisitions through leasing/purchase agreements and easements, ensuring favorable terms and conditions
- Collaborate with legal teams to structure land agreements that meet legal and regulatory requirements
- Conduct thorough due diligence on potential land acquisitions, including title searches, environmental assessments, and permitting requirements
- Evaluate landowner's willingness to participate in renewable energy projects
- Build and maintain positive relationships with landowners, local communities, government authorities, and other stakeholders
- Understand relevant aspects of storage and renewable energy and successfully educate landowners in detail
- Address concerns and provide information about project plans and benefits to landowners
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in business, real estate, environmental science or a related field (Master's Degree preferred)
- Minimum of 8 years of experience, 3 or more in land acquisition, real estate, land management, or a combination thereof, with a strong background in renewables (solar, wind and battery storage) preferred
- Knowledge of land-use regulations, permitting processes and real estate law
- Exceptional negotiation and contract management skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for stakeholder engagement
- Working knowledge of geographic information systems (GIS) and related land management software
- Efficiency in ALTAMPS and SAP programs preferred
Nice-to-haves
- Master's Degree in a relevant field
- Experience in negotiating complex land agreements
- Familiarity with renewable energy technologies and market trends
Benefits
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- 401(k) match
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- EAP
- Education Assistance
- Parental Leave
- Paid time off
- Holidays
