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The AES Clean Energy land team is seeking a Land Acquisition Manager with at least 5 years’ experience in land and/or right of way acquisition in the energy industry.  The Land Acquisition Manager will be responsible for managing land campaigns and landowner negotiations primarily in New York and the Northeastern United States but may be asked to assist on projects elsewhere in the country.  This position will play a key role in the Company’s rapidly expanding solar and storage generation portfolio. The successful candidate will have a keen understanding of all aspects of a successful land acquisition campaign including but not limited to real property conveyances, title, title curative, and encumbrances.  Sound judgment, ingenuity, excellent problem solving, communication skills, and a proactive attitude will position the successful candidate to earn a rewarding opportunity with this fast-growing company.

Core Competencies:

Candidates need excellent problem solving, communication and interpersonal skills, along with patience, a positive attitude and the ability to work in a demanding team environment. They should also possess the following competencies:

• Thorough understanding of the process for obtaining land and easements necessary for energy development.

• Ability to work within strict deadlines.

• Understanding of basic real estate legal principles, title, and contract terms is required.

• Competence with basic mapping software (Google Earth).  Arcview skill helpful but not required.

• Exceptional analytical and time management skills.

• Excellent communication skills including negotiation skills and conflict resolution.

• Understanding of land use constraints with respect to zoning, environmental and geotechnical issues.

• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to understand issues at a global level.

• Independent thinker able to thrive in a fast paced and dynamic environment.

• Proven ability to produce error-free work under deadlines.

• Team player with strong initiative, able to work autonomously to complete tasks.

• Confidence public speaking, cold-calling, and negotiating with landowners and community representatives.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

The Land Acquisition Manager duties will include the following (other duties may be assigned):

• Manage the relationships with and budgets of external land agents to ensure agreements required for site control are in place to meet project deadlines.

• Work with the development team and land agents to ensure all parcels are leased or acquired for successful buildout including solar field sites, substations and other project improvements needed.

• Acquisition of easements for transmission/distribution/generation ties.

• Communicate frequently with all project team members to ensure layouts are understood and site control is proceeding as needed to meet project deadlines.

• Ensure land contracts support the economics and schedule of the projects.

• Landowner communication needed to support permit development.

• Provide accurate and up-to-date land acquisition status to internal and external stakeholders on a regular basis.

• Prepare and manage land acquisition budgets.

• Review the land status on project acquisitions to determine the degree of completeness and level of work needed to complete land acquisition. 

Desired Skills and Expertise:

• 5+ years’ experience acquiring real property or land leases in the energy industry—including the acquisition of rights of way

• Experience with Google Earth and other GIS software tools

• Ability to work effectively with accounting systems

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent analytical, planning, and organizational skills

• Applicants with active AAPL or IRWA memberships preferred

Education:

• Bachelor’s in Business, Engineering, GIS or related field.

Safety comes first at AES. To protect the health and safety of our people, customers, communities and partners, and to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, AES requires all newly-hired people or current AES people applying for U.S.-based role(s), to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or be willing to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by their date of hire. Except where prohibited by law or not specifically covered in a collective bargaining agreement, new hires and transfers will be required to provide proof of vaccination during onboarding and periodically thereafter. This policy will comply with all applicable laws and is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities, as applicable.