Location: Midland, Texas
Direct Report: Director, Land Operations and Development
Travel Required: Less than 50%
PurposeThe Senior Landman is responsible for managing land and surface rights activities that support XRI Water's produced water gathering, transportation, recycling, disposal, water supply, and related infrastructure projects. This position leads negotiations, secures and administers property rights, manages landowner and stakeholder relationships, supports title and due diligence activities, and ensures contractual and payment obligations are accurately tracked and fulfilled. The Senior Landman works closely with Legal, Operations, Engineering, Construction, Business Development, Accounting, Regulatory, and other teams to move projects from development through construction and ongoing operations in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
Role / Responsibilities- Lead and coordinate land activities for greenfield and brownfield water infrastructure projects, including project planning, acquisition strategy, schedules, budgets, and risk identification.
- Negotiate, draft, review, revise, acquire, administer, and track surface use agreements, deeds, rights-of-way, easements, leases, temporary workspace agreements, road and access agreements, crossing agreements, water supply and purchase agreements, produced water disposal agreements, permits, licenses, and related instruments, including key terms, payments, renewals, expirations, termination rights, and other obligations.
- Prepare and manage right-of-way and surface applications involving private, state, federal, University Lands, Bureau of Land Management, and New Mexico State Land Office properties.
- Review and interpret land agreements, deeds, leases, easements, legal descriptions, surveys, plats, permits, and other title or property-related documents.
- Conduct or coordinate title research, surface ownership verification, courthouse research, ownership reporting, and curative activities; identify and resolve title defects, ownership conflicts, liens, probate matters, and other land risks.
- Support pipeline, facility, disposal well, recycling, and water sourcing projects by evaluating proposed routes and sites for ownership, access, constructability, schedule, cost, and stakeholder concerns, and by coordinating land acquisition activities with Engineering, Survey, Construction, Operations, Environmental, Regulatory, Commercial, and Legal teams.
- Build and maintain productive relationships with landowners, operators, tenants, attorneys, brokers, governmental entities, contractors, and other stakeholders; address and resolve landowner concerns, access issues, construction damages, restoration obligations, encroachments, operational complaints, and property loss claims.
- Maintain the Land Master Line List and applicable land management systems, ensuring timely and accurate entry of agreement terms, project status, ownership information, payments, expirations, and obligations.
- Coordinate with Accounting to establish job codes, purchase orders, check requests, accruals, and landowner payments; verify that obligations are paid accurately and on time.
- Prepare and communicate weekly and monthly land reports, project updates, risk summaries, schedules, and budget information to maintain alignment among internal stakeholders.
- Ensure executed documents and supporting records are properly organized, recorded with the appropriate county or agency, retained, and accessible in accordance with company standards.
- Support regulatory permitting and compliance activities, including well, road, boring, crossing, and related permits, as assigned.
- Prepare and file applicable Railroad Commission of Texas reports, including monthly P-18 filings, when required.
- Respond to and clear Texas and New Mexico 811 One-Call tickets in accordance with company procedures and regulatory requirements.
- Manage outside land brokers, abstractors, title agents, surveyors, and other consultants, including scope, budget, schedule, quality, and deliverables.
- Support acquisitions, divestitures, mergers, joint ventures, commercial diligence, contract management, corporate governance, risk mitigation, and other special projects for the Land and Legal Department.
- Comply with all regulatory, environmental, health, safety, and company requirements and perform other related duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Energy Management, Petroleum Land Management, Business, Finance, Legal Studies, or a related discipline; directly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Seven or more years of progressive land experience, including right-of-way acquisition, title diligence, surface negotiations, and contract administration.
- Demonstrated experience supporting pipeline, midstream, water infrastructure, utility, or oil and gas development projects.
- Working knowledge of Texas land practices, title research, property ownership, deeds, easements, leases, surveys, legal descriptions, permitting, and county recording requirements.
- Experience independently negotiating complex land agreements and resolving landowner, title, access, and contractual issues.
- Strong contract interpretation, drafting, negotiation, analytical, organizational, and written communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities with a high level of accuracy, urgency, discretion, and accountability.
- Ability to work collaboratively across Legal, Operations, Engineering, Construction, Accounting, Business Development, and Regulatory functions.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams, and experience with land management, document management, or GIS systems.
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout West Texas and southeastern New Mexico.
Preferred Qualifications- Ten or more years of land experience with established Permian Basin relationships and knowledge.
- Experience with produced water gathering, recycling, disposal, transfer, or water supply infrastructure.
- Experience with both Texas and New Mexico surface and right-of-way matters, including University Lands, BLM, and New Mexico State Land Office processes.
- Certified Professional Landman (CPL), Registered Professional Landman (RPL), or active membership in the American Association of Professional Landmen.
- Experience supporting acquisitions, divestitures, infrastructure development, or other transactions in a private-equity-backed or high-growth organization.
- Familiarity with GIS mapping, ESRI products, SharePoint, Quorum, Peloton, or comparable land and document management systems.
Physical Requirements- Able to sit for long periods of time; push, pull, lift, carry maximum weight 50 lbs; repetitive wrist and hand movements.
