Right-of-Way Program Manager

WSP in the U.S.; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP USA is seeking a seasoned Right-of-Way Program Manager/Project Manager to lead ROW project execution, staffing, budgeting, client communication, and regulatory coordination for electric transmission projects.

Based in any approved office with Arkansas as a preferred location, you will oversee land acquisition, real estate rights, and compliance while supervising field staff and delivering projects on time and within budget. ERCOT/SPP/SWEPCO experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of right-of-way, project management or related field.
• Knowledge of IRWA practices, real estate law, and regulatory permitting processes.
• Additional education, licenses, or certifications (e.g., IRWA training) may be considered in meeting experience requirements.
• ERCOT, SPP, SWEPCO, varying voltages of electric transmission, and LARGE-SCALE experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Office and staff oversight and management of field operations.
• Select and manage field office operations as required.
• Supervise all project staff, supervisors, and subcontractors; hire/release field team members.
• Assign and schedule project-related tasks to ensure timely completion.
• Ensure adherence to company policies and project procedures by staff and subcontractors.
• Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, forecasts, and performance metrics.
• Monitor progress and prepare status reports including dashboards and risk assessments.
• Ensure data quality from field personnel; support public outreach and regulatory approvals.
• Act as primary client contact; communicate project status, risks, and updates.
• Oversee land rights acquisition including rights-of-way, easements, licenses, leases and permits.

Skills

Right-of-Way

Project management

IRWA practices

Real estate law

Regulatory permitting processes

ERCOT experience

SPP experience

SWEPCO experience

LARGE-SCALE experience

Education

IRWA training

Job description

Job Description

This Opportunity

The Right-of-Way (ROW) Program Manager/Project Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing all aspects of ROW project execution and field operations, including project planning, staffing, budgeting, client communication, regulatory coordination, and land acquisition. This role ensures that all activities are executed in compliance with established procedures, legal standards, and client expectations.

Candidates can sit in any of our offices. Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana are considered prime locations.

This opportunity has multiple openings - apply if you have strong experience in ERCOT, SPP, SWEPCO, varying voltage and LARGE-SCALE.

Your Impact

Key Responsibilities

• Office and Staff Oversight
• Select and manage field office operations, if required.
• Supervise all project staff, supervisors, and subcontractors; responsible for hiring and releasing field team members.
• Assign and schedule all project-related tasks to ensure timely and successful completion.
• Ensure adherence to company policies and project procedures by staff and subcontractors.

Project Management

• Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, forecasts, and performance metrics.
• Monitor project progress and prepare regular status reports, including dashboards, risk assessments, and earned value analysis.
• Ensure the quality and accuracy of data and information received from field personnel.
• Assist with public outreach efforts and coordination with regulatory agencies for approvals.

Client Relations

• Act as the primary point of contact for clients; ensure project objectives and client expectations are met.
• Communicate project status, risks, and updates effectively and consistently.

Land Acquisition & Real Estate

• Oversee the acquisition of land, rights-of-way, easements, licenses, leases, and permits necessary for the construction and operation of electric transmission/distribution facilities.
• Provide guidance on real estate values and accepted appraisal practices to establish fair market value ranges.
• Ensure accuracy in the preparation and execution of all land rights documents, including damage claims and rights of entry.

Legal & Regulatory Complianc e

• Maintain a strong understanding of legal documents, property values, environmental issues, and jurisdictional permitting requirements.
• Ensure compliance with Limited Title Certificate and Ownership Title Certificate guidelines during title research and acquisition activities.
• Oversee the settlement of complex damage claims resulting from construction or maintenance activities.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in right-of-way, project management, or related field.
• Knowledge of IRWA practices, real estate law, and regulatory permitting processes.
• Additional education, licenses, or certifications (e.g., IRWA training) may be considered in meeting experience requirements
• ERCOT, SPP, SWEPCO, varying voltages of electric transmission, and LARGE-SCALE experience as a plus for consideration

About WSP

ABOUT US

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

www.wsp.com

• medical
• dental
• vision
• disability
• life
• retirement savings

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs.

Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

Notice To Third Party Agencies

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.