Manager - Land

Manager - Land

Position Summary

The Manager - Land is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Land Department and ensuring that all land and mineral management activities are executed in support of company objectives. This role serves as the operational leader of the team, bridging strategic direction set by the Vice President of Land Management with the technical and administrative work of engineers and clerks. The Manager provides leadership in negotiating and administering leases, managing landowner relationships, maintaining compliance with property obligations, and coordinating closely with operations, engineering, permitting, and legal departments.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Department Operations & Leadership
• Work closely with Land Clerks and Land Engineers to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant work.
• Manage daily operations of the Land Department, including document control, data integrity, and payment processing.
• Provide direction and oversight to ensure lease, royalty, and surface agreements are properly managed.
• Report regularly to the Vice President of Land Management on department performance, risks, and needs.
• Land & Mineral Management
• Administer leases, deeds, easements, rights-of-way, and agreements to ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
• Track and manage critical deadlines such as lease expirations, renewals, and royalty obligations.
• Coordinate with the Land Engineer to validate property boundaries, mapping, and survey data.
• Support acquisition and divestiture efforts by compiling records, verifying ownership, and conducting due diligence.
• Stakeholder & Landowner Relations
• Serve as primary point of contact for landowners regarding lease payments, renewals, and general inquiries.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with surface owners, lessors, and local community representatives.
• Address landowner concerns professionally and escalate issues requiring senior negotiation to the Vice President of Land Management.
• Compliance & Risk Management
• Ensure all land records and transactions comply with state, federal, and local property regulations.
• Support audits, regulatory filings, and permitting activities with accurate and timely land data.
• Coordinate with Accounting and Legal to resolve discrepancies in payments, ownership, or contracts.
• Cross-Functional Coordination
• Work with Operations and Engineering to provide accurate property data for mine planning and permitting.
• Collaborate with Environmental and Legal departments to ensure land-related obligations are met.
• Provide management-level support for reporting to senior leadership, lenders, and regulators.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Land Management, Business, Legal Studies, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 5-10 years of land management experience in coal mining, oil & gas, or natural resources, including supervisory responsibility.
• Strong understanding of mineral rights, surface rights, and property law relevant to mining operations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage multiple priorities, and resolve complex issues.
• Skilled in negotiation, conflict resolution, and stakeholder management.
• Proficiency with land management software, GIS/AutoCAD (preferred), and Microsoft Office Suite.