Land Manager

Walker Elliott; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Walker Elliott is seeking a hands-on Land Manager in Houston to oversee all land-related activities across legacy producing assets and ongoing exploration and drilling programs.

This role requires managing lease administration, title work, and regulatory compliance across Oklahoma, Texas, and beyond with autonomy and direct access to leadership.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive land experience in upstream oil and gas.
• Direct OCC permitting experience is required.
• Experience across multiple states, including Oklahoma and Texas, is preferred.
• Strong background in title research, title curative work, ownership calculations, lease administration, and oil and gas agreements.
• Ability to independently manage the full spectrum of land functions in a lean operating environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead all land functions: lease acquisition/maintenance, title research, contract negotiation, ownership analysis, and land administration.
• Negotiate, draft, and close purchase/sale agreements, JOAs, term assignments, and oil and gas leases.
• Research title records, review title opinions, establish complete title chains, and resolve title deficiencies.
• Manage OCC permitting and RRC requirements.
• Calculate and maintain ownership interests (WIs and NRIs) to support revenue analytics.
• Maintain knowledge of project ownership, lease status, pooling restrictions, and site availability for drilling.
• Coordinate land activities with operations, geology, exploration, drilling, and leadership.
• Direct field land brokers and subcontractors for acquisitions, leasing, title work, and drilling programs.
• Support development of legacy assets and new exploration across Permian Basin and Midcontinent.
• Maintain accurate land records and track contractual obligations to support schedules.

Skills

Land management

Title research

Contract negotiation

Ownership analysis

Regulatory compliance

Education

CPL designation (preferred)

Job description

Walker Elliott is working with established, privately owned oil and gas company in Houston, and they are seeking a hands-on Land Manager to oversee all land-related activities across its legacy producing assets and ongoing exploration and drilling programs. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced land professional who enjoys working independently, taking ownership, and serving as the primary land resource for a lean, entrepreneurial organization. Rather than overseeing a large department, the Land Manager will be the go-to land resource, responsible for ensuring the company's land position, agreements, title, and permitting are managed effectively across its operating areas.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this individual will manage the full spectrum of land responsibilities across Oklahoma and Texas, with historical operations extending into Kansas. The role offers significant autonomy, direct access to leadership, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the company's land position and operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all land functions, including lease acquisition and maintenance, title research, contract negotiation, ownership analysis, and ongoing land administration.
• Negotiate, draft, and close purchase and sale agreements, participation agreements, joint operating agreements (JOAs), term assignments, oil and gas leases, deeds, assignments, easements, surface damage agreements, and rights-of-way.
• Research courthouse and in-house title records, review title opinions and runsheets, establish complete chains of title, and resolve title deficiencies through appropriate curative instruments.
• Manage Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) permitting and regulatory filings, along with applicable Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) requirements.
• Calculate and maintain ownership interests, including working interests and net revenue interests (NRI), to support revenue analysis, operations, and business decisions.
• Maintain detailed knowledge of project ownership, stratigraphic severances, lease status, pooling restrictions, and site availability for drilling and field operations.
• Coordinate land activities with operations, geology, exploration, drilling, legal counsel, and executive leadership.
• Direct and coordinate field land brokers and subcontractors supporting acquisitions, leasing, title work, and drilling programs.
• Support ongoing development of legacy conventional assets and new exploration opportunities across the Permian Basin and Midcontinent.
• Maintain accurate land records, track contractual obligations, and ensure land matters are addressed in support of operational schedules and business objectives.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive land experience in upstream oil and gas.
• Direct Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) permitting experience is required.
• Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) permitting and regulatory experience is highly desirable.
• Experience managing land responsibilities across multiple states, ideally including Oklahoma and Texas.
• Strong background in title research, title curative work, ownership calculations, lease administration, and oil and gas agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage the full range of land functions in a small or lean operating environment.
• Experience coordinating field land brokers and outside contractors.
• Strong understanding of conventional oil and gas operations, legacy assets, vertical drilling, pooling requirements, and applicable state regulations.
• Certified Professional Landman (CPL) designation is preferred but not required.
• Excellent negotiation, organizational, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to work directly with senior leadership.

Do not apply unless you are authorized to work in the United States for any employer as client company cannot sponsor or transfer visas at this time.

Walker Elliott is an Equal Opportunity Employer.