Head of Land and Title - Renewable Energy

Climate17 is helping a growing renewable energy team find a Head of Land and Title. This role will be part of the senior leadership, reporting into the company President.

The ideal candidate will have held previous roles leading land acquisition for renewable energy companies, bringing a successful track-record in utility-scale solar, storage and/or wind.

The business is on an exciting trajectory, implementing a 6-year growth plan. Experience across multiple ISO/RTOs would be beneficial as well as people management. This position will be the first hire in the land team and the incumbent will be hands-on, growing a team out beneath them as the project pipeline increases.

The Role

• Land identification and acquisition: Identifying potential project sites, evaluating land suitability for renewable energy development, and negotiating land lease agreements with landowners.
• Title research and due diligence: Conducting thorough title searches to verify land ownership, identify any encumbrances or legal issues, and mitigate potential risks associated with land acquisition.
• Permits and approvals: Working with legal and regulatory teams to navigate local, state, and federal permitting processes related to land use for renewable energy projects.
• Community engagement: Engaging with local communities and stakeholders to address concerns regarding land use and project development.
• Environmental assessments: Coordinating environmental studies and surveys on potential project sites to comply with regulations and mitigate environmental impacts.
• Contract management: Overseeing the legal aspects of land contracts, including lease agreements, option contracts, and easements.
• Team leadership: Developing a team of land acquisition specialists, legal professionals, and land use planners.

• Bachelor's degree in real estate, law, environmental science, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in land acquisition and title management, ideally within the renewable energy sector - Solar, Battery Energy Storage, and/or onshore wind.
• Strong understanding of real estate legal principles, including contract law, property rights, and easements.
• Proficiency in title research and analysis, including interpreting title commitments and curative actions.
• Excellent negotiation and interpersonal skills to build relationships with landowners and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with GIS mapping tools and land data analysis.
• Ability to manage complex projects with multiple deadlines and stakeholders.