Manager Real Estate (Right of Way) Project Management

This position is a leadership position which must demonstrate initiative, influence and decisiveness. With minimal supervision, this position is responsible for directly supervising, delegating and providing direction to a team of Real Estate Project Management and Real Estate Analyst positions to ensure right of way projects are completed timely, correctly and professionally.

This position is responsible for managing right of way projects and contractors acquiring rights for projects. Responsibilities include interpreting, organizing, executing and coordinating all right of way activities for major transmission projects involving substantial monetary amounts and distribution projects.

Leader will apply specialized knowledge and expertise.

Major responsibilities include, but are not limited to :

• Performs and manages work associated with capital projects, operations, distribution, transmission, substation, maintenance, and facility projects.
• Explores subject matter, defines scope, creates project cost, time and manpower estimates, develops strategies for easement and fee acquisitions, analyzes valuations, approves payments, solves problem.
• Position negotiates and acquires right of way for highly complex & politically sensitive acquisitions, provides notifications and access negotiations for transmission and distribution projects, settles right of way damages, reviews appraisals, acquires and releases Company property, completes, manages and coordinates ownership research and document preparation.
• Through contract resources, responsible for acquiring rights to complete all aspects of major projects including title research, including existing easement rights, right of way descriptions, appraisals, negotiations, acquisitions, relocations, condemnation, construction liaison, damage settlements.

Responsible for contractor billing verification / approval and contract compliance.

Ensure projects are completed within budgetary estimates, project schedules and in compliance with Evergy policies and procedures.

Generates periodic progress reports outlining costs, timing and overall project status related to the scope of the project.

Participates in multi-discipline team meetings, including scheduling and cost outlook. Drives continuous process review and improvement.

• Plan, prioritize and coordinate multiple activities with competing priorities while working in conjunction with the transmission and substation engineering staff, T&S construction project managers, transmission construction, vegetation management, and maintenance groups.
• Collaborate with the Legal Department regarding easement language, negotiations, eminent domain and settlement agreements.
• Manage communications with all concerning agencies, parties and entities, including landowners, clients, government agencies, contractors and other external contacts.
• Represent the Company at public meetings, regulatory hearings, presentations and condemnation hearings.

Education and Experience Requirements :

The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree in real estate, Law, Energy Land Management, or related degree. Course work in real estate, law, appraisal, negotiation, communications, or related topics is highly preferred.

IRWA, Landman or other relevant professional designations also considered. Requires 8 years of right of way related experience and at least 5 years of demonstrated leadership experience.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities Required :

• Specialized depth of experience of real property law, real property appraisal processes, real property records.
• Must be able to interpret easement documents, engineering drawings, property plats and property descriptions.
• Exceptional communication skills.
• Able to establish rapport as a Company liaison and be a company representative, thereby displaying an advanced level of professionalism and integrity.
• Advanced ability to manage contract work force.
• Advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced analytical skills and strategic planning skills.
• Employ effective negotiating strategies. One must have the ability to endure mentally challenging and emotionally charged communications with outside parties, including counsel and landowners.
• Strong initiative to drive areas of improvement and learn systems, processes and procedures.
• Strong computer skills are essential for this role. The preferred candidate will be knowledgeable in Microsoft software applications.
• Specific knowledge about the various survey systems used to write land legal descriptions, land title research, the legal documents required to complete a right of way project.
• Advanced training and education in law, real estate, setting right of way values, ethics, project management.
• Requires the ability to execute the plan and supervise multiple projects to completion, within quality, time and budgetary requirements.

Licenses, Certifications, Bonding and / or Testing Required :

Must have a valid driver’s license.

Working Conditions :

The primary working condition is an office environment. Travel within the service territory may be required several times per month with some overnight travel.

Travel may include inspection of project corridors, meeting with landowners and other stakeholders in the field and in third-party offices.

Evergy has a clear mission To empower a better future. Evergy chooses to live this mission by valuing People First. We know that to lead the responsible energy transition and provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable service to our customers and communities, we need a team with a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills.

So, our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. We are committed to celebrating diversity and building a team where everyone regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status has a voice and can bring their best every day.

We know that the more diverse and inclusive we are, the better we will be. Evergy is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.

Disclaimer : The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.

It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.