The Position
Grid United has numerous large scale transmissions projects underway and is currently identifying and studying additional prospective projects across North America. With patient capital backing led by experienced energy veterans, Grid United is in a fast-growth stage, boasting a purpose-built team of motivated and entrepreneurial talent. We are particularly focused on effective stakeholder engagement and positive involvement with the communities in the areas where we are working.
This growing team is seeking to add a Right of Way Agent to support right-of-way (ROW) acquisition for utility-scale transmission projects in the Southwestern United States, primarily Arizona and New Mexico. The Right of Way Agent will negotiate options, easements, and access rights directly with landowners, perform title research and curative work, coordinate land acquisition contractors, participate in public involvement meetings, and interface across development, engineering, environmental, legal, GIS, and external partners. This role will report to the VP, Land or Senior Land Manager. The ideal candidate will be based in Tucson, AZ with required travel.
Key Responsibilities & Outcomes
Responsibilities
• Negotiate options, easements, temporary access, and related land rights directly with landowners supporting Grid United's projects in the Southwestern United States, primarily Arizona and New Mexico.
• Understand and perform title research; identify and resolve title defects, encumbrances, and curative requirements to deliver insurable, marketable real property rights. Work with external parties, when needed, to review and inspect title commitments and policy endorsements.
• Apply GU ROW Policy Manual, document control, and execution workflow (signature routing, recordation, file return).
• Align with Development/Engineering on construction and pre-construction activities including workspace and access road development and acquisition, and Plan of Development inputs; synchronize with GIS on tract status and PMA (Project Mapping Application) governance; and support environmental and non-environmental permitting submittals.
• Support non-environmental permit processes, third party consents, and foreign line crossing agreements.
• Provide day-to-day direction and quality review of land acquisition subcontractors and third-party land service providers (agents, title, abstractors); enforce reporting cadence and quality per GU standards.
• Demonstrate the Landowner-First principles in every interaction; support meetings/open houses and manage sensitive negotiations as needed.
• Maintain tract diaries, database records, status dashboards, and document links consistent with PMA/GIS data capture policy; coordinate team communications, meetings, and reports.
• Travel to project sites, landowner meetings, and public involvement meetings as needed; perform all other duties as assigned.
• Support and supervise external contract or vendor staff and direct activities as necessary. QA/QC external contract or vendor deliverables and assess performance.
Outcomes
• Successful acquisition of ROW for critical transmission corridors.
• Resolve title defects ensuring project readiness.
• Consistent compliance with GU standards, processes, and procedures.
• Accurate, auditable database records and reporting maintained for all assigned tracts.
• Develop and maintain positive landowner relationships and community trust.
Behaviors - which are essential to success in this role
• Exemplify Grid United values of humility, tenacity, ingenuity and grace
• Build, maintain and value broad and deep stakeholder relationships and have a personal commitment to making a difference in the community
• Proactively work with stakeholders to solve problems, maintaining ethical industry standards.
• Proactive and open to embracing new challenges.
• Positive, professional, and energetic team-oriented attitude.
Desired Experience and Skills
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, real estate, communications, or related field preferred; commensurate experience may be substituted for the degree requirement.
• 5-10+ years of ROW/land acquisition experience for linear infrastructure (transmission, pipeline, rail, or public works), including complex negotiations and title curative.
• Prior ROW acquisition experience on projects with and without eminent domain authority; proven success closing multi-tract programs across private, state, and federal lands.
• Strong background in title, including mineral estates and title curative; ability to interpret title and appraisal reports, easement instruments, legal descriptions, land surveys, and metes-and-bounds descriptions.
• Expert communicator and negotiator with high integrity and steady judgment in sensitive stakeholder settings.
• IRWA membership, coursework, or designation preferred; Arizona and/or New Mexico real estate license a plus; notary credential preferred, must obtain.
• Knowledge of general real estate law.
• Valid driver's license required and ability to travel to project sites as needed.
• Exceptional organizational skills, including the ability to multi-task efficiently with constant regard for accuracy and quality.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to lead public presentations.
• Strong writing skills, including both technical and persuasive writing.
• Ability to read and digest large amounts of information rapidly.
• Deep curiosity for all functional areas of development including commercialization, engineering, land acquisition, public outreach, and US state and federal regulations.
• Adaptability and flexibility to manage deadline pressure, ambiguity and uncertainty, and project changes.
• Strong computer and data management skills, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a small, nonhierarchical organization.
• Familiarity and basic proficiency with professional GIS systems and maps.
What the Right Candidate Will Love about this Opportunity
• An organization dedicated to solving the ever-changing Rubik's cube of high voltage transmission development in a fast paced, dynamic and innovative culture
• Working with a core group of dedicated and thoughtful colleagues.
• Working on a day-to-day basis with highly experienced and proven industry leaders
• Being empowered to play a leading role in delivering a large-scale project that will materially change the energy future of America
• Working in an organization committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and having a positive social impact
• Excellent financial backing from leading energy investor with long term commitment, passion for energy, and an understanding and appetite to tackle the challenges of transmission development
Grid United offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a competitive base salary and bonus incentive plan, long term incentive plan, health benefits, 401(k), and more.
