Manager Land & Right of Way

Tallgrass; Lakewood (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

Tallgrass in Colorado seeks a senior leader to manage land acquisition, easement, and regulatory compliance, guiding Civil, Business Development, and Engineering teams. You will direct negotiations with landowners, agencies, and developers while ensuring adherence to legal and environmental requirements.

The role emphasizes strategic direction, project budgeting, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver timely land-related outcomes and maintain safety standards across operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in land management, energy management, geography, business, public administration, engineering or law.
• 10+ years of experience in land acquisition / right-of-way within energy sector including supervision.
• Strong knowledge of real property law, title examination, and regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and supervision to Real Estate and Right-of-Way staff.
• Lead negotiations with landowners, agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Develop strategies for acquisition, easement rights, releases, zoning, and settlements.
• Oversee land-related contracts and documentation for policy alignment.
• Collaborate with Legal, Regulatory, and Project Management teams on litigation support and compliance initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement in land management, safety, and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Manage project budgets, resources, and timelines to meet objectives.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders; lead special projects.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

MS Office

SharePoint

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Lead and oversee all aspects of land acquisition, easement and permit management, landowner and agency relations, damage negotiations, litigation support, and regulatory compliance. Provide strategic direction and operational leadership to ensure successful execution of land-related activities supporting Commercial, Business Development, and Engineering & Construction teams.

Position Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Lead and oversee all aspects of land acquisition, easement and permit management, landowner and agency relations, damage negotiations, litigation support, and regulatory compliance. Provide strategic direction and operational leadership to ensure successful execution of land-related activities supporting Commercial, Business Development, and Engineering & Construction teams.

Responsibilities

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and direct supervision to Real Estate and Right-of-Way staff, fostering professional growth and high performance.
• Serve as the primary company representative in complex negotiations and interactions with landowners, tenants, governmental agencies, land and mineral developers, and utility companies.
• Develop and implement strategies for acquisition of real estate interests, easement rights amendments, releases, zoning issues, damage evaluations, and settlements.
• Lead the preparation, review, and management of land-related contracts and documentation, ensuring alignment with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate closely with Legal, Regulatory, and Project Management teams to support litigation, condemnation, quiet title actions, and compliance initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the land management function to enhance efficiency, compliance, and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Champion a culture of safety, integrity, and regulatory compliance across all land operations.
• Manage project budgets, resource allocation, and timelines to meet or exceed business objectives.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, demonstrating professionalism, tact, and transparency.
• Lead special projects and initiatives assigned by senior leadership.

Qualifications

Minimum requirements:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a related field such as land management, energy management, geography, business, public administration, engineering, law, etc. is preferred or 7 years of equivalent experience.

Experience/Specific Knowledge

• A minimum of ten (7) years of experience with right-of-way and land acquisition within the energy sector.
• A minimum of ten (7) years of demonstrated leadership and people management experience.
• In-depth knowledge of real property law, business law, title examination, pipeline construction, and land use practices.
• Knowledge of engineering terminology, drawings, and maps.
• Strong understanding of federal, state, and local regulations governing land acquisition and management.
• Proven success managing complex project budgets and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to drive positive changes with continuous improvement.
• Proficiency with land-related software and MS Office suite (Excel, Word, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers (for travel).

Competencies, Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced interpersonal skills to lead, influence, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including contractors and regulatory bodies.
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority tasks under tight deadlines.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proven ability to lead integrated project teams and manage property-related issues to minimize impacts on budget, schedule, and asset operability.
• Commitment to uphold the highest standards of safety, ethics, and regulatory

About Us

Tallgrass was named one of the Top Workplaces USA and highlighted in Colorado's Top Workplaces for the past seven consecutive years. Tallgrass is a leading energy infrastructure company focused on safely, reliably, and sustainably delivering the energy and services that power our nation and enable our quality of life.

At Tallgrass, we value our teams and strive to create an environment where employees feel respected, and their contributions are valued. We aim to support employees' physical, mental, and financial well-being through a comprehensive Total Rewards Program.

• Industry competitive pay
• Health insurance package options that include Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts
• Infertility Coverage
• Parental Leave
• 401(k) with up to a 6% match that vests immediately plus an employer discretionary contribution of up to 4%
• Wellness Programs and Mental Health Resources
• Employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage
• Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
• Vacation, sick days, paid caregiver leave, volunteer and bereavement paid time off
• Identity theft protection
• Annual discretionary bonus
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Company-paid holidays and floating holidays
• Company vehicle (if applicable)
• Employee discounts; vehicles, tires, cellular plans, and more
• Networking and employee engagement events
• Personal development to grow your career with us based on your strengths and interests

Application Deadline:

Recruiting timelines vary by position; however, all Tallgrass positions accept applications for at least five business days from the posting date. This position is open and still accepting applications.

Compensation

Compensation ranges are provided in good faith based on what we anticipate when researching wages for this position at the state and national levels. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.

Notice to External Search Firms

Tallgrass does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Unsolicited referrals and resumes are considered Tallgrass property; therefore, Tallgrass will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited referral. Approved vendors may be invited to refer talent for specific positions at Tallgrass's request only. A fully executed agreement with Tallgrass must be in place and current in these cases.

EEO Statement:

Tallgrass complies with all Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) affirmative action laws and regulations. Tallgrass does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender Identity and expression, disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, or other status protected by law.