Vice President of Land

Connect Search, LLC; Midland (TX); On-site; USD 220,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Connect Search, LLC is seeking a Vice President of Land for a growth-oriented energy company in the Permian Basin. The role leads the land organization, shapes the long-term land and development strategy, and partners with executive leadership to execute negotiations, acquisitions, and title management.

The ideal candidate will have 12+ years in oil & gas land, extensive Permian Basin exposure, and a proven track record of leading high-value land transactions.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive oil & gas land experience with leadership responsibility.
• Significant Permian Basin experience; Delaware/ Midland Basin experience valued.
• Proven experience leading a land team or land organization.
• Strong knowledge of lease negotiations, title examination, curative, division orders, land administration, and land management systems.
• Experience supporting or leading A&D transactions, PSAs, joint ventures, acreage acquisitions/divestitures, or similar strategic transactions.
• Ability to travel to field locations, courthouses, and partner meetings as needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company's overall land strategy in alignment with growth and commercial objectives.
• Lead, develop, and strengthen the Land and Land Administration organization with clear accountability and controls.
• Lead complex negotiations involving leases, surface use agreements, rights-of-way, acreage positions, and other oil & gas agreements.
• Build and maintain relationships with mineral and surface owners, operators, and industry partners.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and strategic opportunities.
• Oversee title examination, curative efforts, and maintenance of defensible land positions.
• Provide leadership across land administration, division orders, title, and land management systems.
• Evaluate land opportunities and risks within asset economics and company strategy.
• Manage outside land professionals, title companies, outside counsel, vendors, budgets, and metrics.
• Collaborate with Legal, Engineering, Operations, and Business Development to support development and commercial initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Executive presence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Land Management, Land Management, Business, or related field

Job description

A privately held, growth-oriented energy company in the Permian Basin is seeking an experienced Vice President of Land to lead its land organization and help shape the company's long-term land and development strategy.

This is a highly visible leadership position for an accomplished land professional who can operate beyond the traditional land function. The VP of Land will work closely with executive leadership and partner across Business Development, Legal, Engineering, and Operations to execute land strategy, support growth initiatives, evaluate opportunities, and lead complex negotiations.

The ideal candidate brings deep Permian Basin experience, strong industry relationships, proven leadership, and a track record of successfully managing significant land and commercial transactions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company's overall land strategy in alignment with growth, development, and commercial objectives.
• Lead, develop, and strengthen the Land and Land Administration organization, establishing accountability, processes, systems, and controls.
• Lead complex negotiations involving leases, surface use agreements, rights-of-way, acreage positions, and other oil & gas agreements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with mineral owners, surface owners, operators, and industry partners.
• Partner with executive leadership and Business Development on acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, acreage transactions, and strategic development opportunities.
• Oversee title examination and curative efforts to protect and maintain accurate, defensible land positions.
• Provide leadership and oversight across land administration, division orders, title, and land management systems.
• Evaluate land opportunities and risks within the context of broader asset economics and company strategy.
• Manage outside land professionals, title companies, outside counsel, vendors, departmental budgets, and performance metrics.
• Work cross-functionally with Legal, Engineering, Operations, and Business Development to support development and commercial initiatives.
• Provide executive leadership with clear insight into land position, negotiations, risks, opportunities, and strategic priorities.
• Represent the organization in complex, high-value negotiations that can materially impact the company's long-term position.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive oil & gas land experience, including meaningful leadership responsibility.
• Significant experience within the Permian Basin, with Delaware Basin and/or Midland Basin experience highly valued.
• Proven experience leading and developing a land team or land organization.
• Strong knowledge of lease negotiations, title examination, curative, division orders, land administration, and land management systems.
• Demonstrated understanding of mineral ownership, surface rights, title issues, and complex oil & gas agreements.
• Experience supporting or leading A&D transactions, PSAs, joint ventures, acreage acquisitions/divestitures, or similar strategic transactions.
• Demonstrated ability to personally lead complex negotiations and manage significant land matters.
• Strong industry relationships and the ability to represent the organization effectively with external partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to operate strategically while remaining close enough to the business to drive execution and resolve issues.
• Strong leadership, communication, business judgment, and executive presence.
• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Land Management, Land Management, Business, or a related field preferred.
• CPL or RPL designation is a plus.
• Ability to travel to field locations, courthouses, and partner meetings as needed.