ABOUT AVANTUS

Avantus (formerly 8minute) is shaping the future by making reliable, accessible clean energy a global reality. Our legacy of leadership in next generation solar energy includes developing the nation’s largest solar cluster and the first plant to beat fossil fuel prices. Today, we are expanding the boundaries of existing technologies to build one of the largest portfolios of smart power plants with integrated storage, capable of providing 20 million people with low-cost, zero-emission energy – day and night. Through our relentless pursuit of better, we are decarbonizing our planet at the gigaton level, and bringing the advantages of clean energy to all of us. 

ABOUT THE POSITION

We are seeking a highly motivated and organized candidate for a Director of Land Acquisition position. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound industry knowledge, superior communication and negotiation capability, and detail-oriented contract analysis and organizational skills. This role reports to the VP, Land Development.

The land team is a highly talented, hard-working, dynamic group with extensive legacy knowledge in the renewable energy industry. The ideal candidate will have the right mix of skills, experience and enthusiasm to succeed in early-stage development and ongoing asset management of large-scale solar projects.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Lead negotiations for real estate contracts underlying Avantus’ portfolio of solar and storage projects.
• Lead due diligence tracking and project status reporting for one of the largest development pipelines in the industry.
• Assist with new market and site analysis including investigation of land development criteria and land ownership.
• Assist with review, resolution, and reporting of title matters to support financing of projects, including vesting, mineral rights, liens, taxes, and other critical matters
• Coordinate efforts among landowners, attorneys, surveyors, utilities, title companies, and other key project stakeholders.
• Assist with drafting, abstraction, and execution of agreements including purchase and lease agreements, amendments, easements, crossing agreements, estoppels, subordination agreements, affidavits, etc.
• Preparation of land project budgets and upkeep of other various spreadsheets in connection with cost projections, including option payment spreadsheets.
• Solve cross-functional project hurdles in coordination with other functional groups in the company, including transmission, permitting, engineering, origination, and finance teams.
• Experience with title insurance and managing ALTA surveys.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree, preference give to candidates with Juris Doctor.
• Minimum of 7+ years of renewable energy project development experience.
• Minimum of 5+ years of real estate development experience.
• Highly proficient in Google Earth, and MS Office Suite, including use of advanced features.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Understanding of real estate issues specific to energy development and renewable energy financing requirements.
• Ability to read, understand and interpret legal documents and real estate contracts.
• Resourcefulness, a meticulous eye for detail, and investigative skills are essential.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with the ability to read and analyze large amounts of project data.
• Self-motivated, possesses an eagerness to learn and take initiative.
• Highly personable demeanor, able to connect with and deal with all personality types.
• Passion for green energy and responsible development.

NICE TO HAVES

• Experience managing large mineral rights mitigation efforts on solar projects and has a demonstrated understanding of mineral rights.
• Experience providing clear and concise updates to executive teams and creating simple and effective tools to provide said updates.

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