Dir Land & Permitting

Williams; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive program

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Employee stock purchase plan

HSA and FSA options

Company-paid life insurance

Job summary

Williams is seeking a Director, Land & Permitting to provide strategic leadership for land, rights-of-way, permitting, environmental, and cultural resources across operations and projects. This role establishes enterprise standards and governance to enable land acquisition, regulatory approvals, and compliant, efficient delivery.

The position leads multiple functions through managers, partnering with Engineering, Legal, Regulatory, Government Affairs, and landowners to drive risk mitigation and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 10 years of oil and gas, energy, utility, or related industry experience and 5 years of leadership.
• Preferred: Master’s degree with 15+ years of industry experience and 7+ years of leadership.
• Knowledge of land acquisition, rights-of-way, permitting, environmental compliance, and regulatory processes.
• Strong negotiation, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage governance and enterprise standards.

Responsibilities

• Establishes enterprise strategies for land, right-of-way, permitting, environmental, and cultural resources.
• Leads land acquisition, land administration, property management, permitting and compliance.
• Directs regulatory engagement to secure federal, state, local approvals and post-construction commitments.
• Establishes governance and data management practices to strengthen risk management.
• Partners with Engineering, Operations, Legal, Regulatory, Government Affairs, regulators and landowners.
• Develops workforce planning, coaching, and leadership to foster safety and environmental stewardship.

Skills

Land rights knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Environmental Science, Engineering, Finance, Land Management, Natural Resources, or a related field

Master’s degree in Business, Environmental Science, Engineering, Land Management, Public Administration, or a related field

Job description

At Williams, we’re powering a cleaner, more connected future, and that starts with you. Here, your work fuels communities, drives innovation, and helps deliver reliable energy the world depends on. Join a Fortune 500 team that invests in your growth, values your contributions, and challenges you to make a lasting impact every day.

The Director, Land & Permitting provides strategic leadership for land, right-of-way, permitting, environmental, and cultural resource functions supporting operations and project execution. This role establishes enterprise standards, governance, processes, and workforce strategies that enable the acquisition and management of land rights, regulatory approvals, and compliance obligations while supporting safe, efficient, and responsible project delivery. The Director leads multiple functions through managers and cross-functional partnerships to drive operational excellence, risk mitigation, and environmental stewardship.

Responsibilities & Expectations

• Establishes and executes enterprise strategies for land, right-of-way, permitting, environmental, and cultural resource activities that support operational objectives, project execution, regulatory compliance, and long-term business growth
• Leads and integrates land acquisition, land administration, property management, permitting, and compliance functions to ensure consistent, efficient, and effective delivery across the organization
• Directs regulatory engagement and permitting efforts to secure, maintain, and fulfill federal, state, local, and other required approvals, including applicable post-construction commitments
• Establishes governance frameworks, performance standards, data management practices, and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen operational effectiveness, accountability, and risk management
• Partners with Engineering, Operations, Project Management, Legal, Regulatory, Government Affairs, landowners, regulators, and other stakeholders to support project execution, resolve complex issues, and mitigate business risks
• Builds organizational capability through workforce planning, talent development, succession planning, coaching, and leadership development while fostering a culture of safety, environmental stewardship, collaboration, and operational excellence

Education / Years of Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Environmental Science, Engineering, Finance, Land Management, Natural Resources, or a related field and ten (10) years of experience in oil and gas, energy, utility, infrastructure, or a related industry and five (5) years of leadership experience with responsibility for leading teams, programs, or organizational functions
• Preferred: Master’s degree in Business, Environmental Science, Engineering, Land Management, Public Administration, or a related field and fifteen (15) or more years of industry experience and seven (7) or more years of leadership experience

Other Requirements

• Demonstrates knowledge of land acquisition, rights-of-way, property management, permitting, environmental compliance, and regulatory processes
• Experience developing business strategies, influencing stakeholders, and making decisions with broad operational and business impact
• Strong negotiation, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to establish effective working relationships across departments, disciplines, regulators, landowners, and external stakeholders
• Preferred: Experience supporting large-scale pipeline, energy, utility, or industrial infrastructure projects
• Preferred: Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulatory requirements impacting pipeline and facilities development and operations
• Preferred: Environmental due diligence, operational compliance, or environmental permitting experience
• Preferred: Professional certification related to land, right-of-way, environmental, project management, or regulatory disciplines

Why Houston?

Big career opportunities in one of the world’s energy capitals, endless food spots and a diverse vibe—all without paying NYC or LA prices. Work hard, live better. Check out Houston.org to learn more.

Here’s a look at what that means:

• Strong pay plus an annual incentive program
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage with options that fit your life, not the other way around
• 401(k) with company match and an annual company contribution
• Paid time off, including company and floating holidays
• Paid parental leave (up to six weeks per parent), plus fertility and adoption support
• Advanced AI tools and resources to help level up and work smarter
• Clear paths to grow your career, with a strong culture of promoting from within
• Tuition reimbursement and support for continuing education
• HSA and FSA options
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Domestic partner benefits
• Employee resource groups, wellness support, paid volunteer time, and company matching for causes you care about

Eligibility and benefits are governed by the terms of the applicable plan or program document which can be amended or terminated at any time. For more information, please visit Total Rewards | Williams Companies.

Williams is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected under applicable discrimination law.

Why Williams?

Looking to apply your passion and skills to the innovative and vital work that helps fuel the clean energy economy? As the world demands reliable, low-cost, low‑carbon energy, Williams will be there. We currently handle one third of the natural gas in the United States that is used every day to heat homes, cook food and generate electricity. We don’t offer jobs; we offer career opportunities that include:

• Competitive compensation and inclusive benefits
• Growth and development opportunities
• An inclusive culture where you can be yourself
• Opportunities to get involved in the community where you work and live

We’re proud of our innovative people who want to make the world a better place and invite you to explore how you can help us make clean energy happen.