Lead Right of Way Agent

Lead Right of Way Agent

Location: Saint Charles, IL

Description

Looking for a Lead Right of Way Agent near or in the surrounding area of Saint Charles, IL for several phases of acquisition.

The Lead Right of Way Agent, under the direction of the ROW Supervisor or Project Manager, possesses expert-level working knowledge of all right of way disciplines: title, permitting, acquisition, and documentation. Highly knowledgeable about property valuation, survey drawings, and alignment sheets. The Lead Agent serves as the primary point of coordination among field agents, ensuring consistency in negotiations, documentation standards, and client compliance across the project.

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

• Provide daily direction, mentorship, and task delegation to Sr. Agents and field staff, ensuring project milestones and client expectations are met.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between field agents and the ROW Supervisor or Project Manager, communicating project status, escalated issues, and resource needs.
• Review and approve agent work products including landowner agreements, damage settlements, permit packages, and daily activity reports for accuracy and completeness prior to client submission.
• Responsible for researching, negotiating, and executing purchase, short- and long-term lease, and Right of Way agreements for construction that meet the organization's goals.
• Search for and determine various land ownership interests, including but not limited to surface ownership of land and the locations of such owners.
• Identify and provide details of all required construction permits and permit requirements; acquire permits as directed and coordinate permit tracking across the project team.
• Oversee all land-related legal issues, including transfers of titles and deeds, construction, mortgage concerns, and zoning.
• Responsible for resolutions and other legal forms related to land acquisitions.
• Manage complex or escalated negotiations for easements, damage settlements, and/or permit acquisition, and prepare comprehensive reports on outcomes and recommended courses of action.
• Conduct quality control reviews of 3rd party development plans and relevant Right of Way records (i.e., easements, permits, etc.) to determine any conflicts and direct remedial action.
• Perform internal and external due diligence to ensure accuracy and completeness of land rights or to identify and bring forward deficiencies requiring remedial action.
• Serve as primary liaison with landowners/tenants on ownership, easement rights, damage claims, and access issues, particularly for high-profile or contentious parcels.
• Ensure the team's effective use of established company and client policies, procedures, and processes.
• Maintain up-to-date project status reporting with the ROW Supervisor or Project Manager to ensure assignments are completed following the client's procedures and timelines.
• Assist in onboarding and training of new agents on project-specific protocols, client requirements, and company standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Must have a minimum of eight years of experience in the Right of Way industry, with at least three years in a senior or supervisory capacity overseeing other agents.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and coordinate a team of ROW agents in a field environment.
• Expert working knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, right of way policies, procedures, terminology, and right of way/real property acquisition policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of settlement instruments and contract terms.
• Highly knowledgeable about property valuation, survey drawings, and alignment sheets.
• Comprehensive understanding of various land-related contracts and agreements for construction, operation, and maintenance of existing and new facilities, including but not limited to fee simple, rights-of-way, leases, temporary workspace agreements, licenses, permits, ordinances, and franchise agreements, with the ability to complete and oversee right of way transactions independently.
• Experience with acquisition and relocation documents, notices, processes, and procedures.
• Ability to plan and organize workload for self and team, adjust to changing priorities, and work well under pressure with minimal supervision.
• Ability to interpret alignment sheets and plats.
• Must be able to perform land title research.
• Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to present project updates and negotiate at all levels, from landowners to client leadership.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills to build relationships with landowners, team members, and client representatives.
• Exercises sound judgment and has experience handling confidential information.
• Ability to work autonomously while fostering a collaborative, accountable team environment.
• Strong attention to detail with excellent planning, organization, and time management skills.
• Willingness to assume additional or new responsibilities readily.
• Ability to maintain regular attendance as per work schedule agreed with the manager (may require working an adjusted work schedule based on project assigned and overtime if warranted).
• Ability to comply with applicable laws and regulations and Company policies and procedures.
• SR/WA or similar professional designation preferred.