Land Manager

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Land Manager to oversee the successful delivery of the project land strategy.  The Land Manager is a critical role reporting directly to the Head of Consents and Land.  The objective of the role is to support the project in co-ordinating and delivering each of the following:

• Land Strategy Development – the project land strategy will require ongoing development and refinement, and the Land Manager will ensure that the land priorities meet the requirements of the project and reflect the wider development strategy and project de-risking.
• Land Negotiations – the Land Manager will work with specialist advisors and lead commercial negotiations with landowners to conclude land deals that meet the project development programme.
• Manage Landowner Relationships – through all aspects of project development, including negotiations, site access and management of third party interactions, the Land Manager will be responsible for ensuring that the project builds strong and positive relationships with landowners that de-risk the development and delivery of the project.

The Project Land Strategy is critical to Project delivery and the role will include building on existing relationships with landowners, consultants, external advisors, and wider property interests.

Key Responsibilities

Buchan Offshore Wind has an agile and experienced development team which will grow as the project progresses through development and construction. The Land Manager is a critical role which will support the project as it accelerates the pace of land negotiations that will support a successful Final Investment Decision in 2029.

In this role, the candidate will lead a number of critical aspects of the project, including:

Negotiation:

• Securing land agreements for hosting the onshore project infrastructure including the negotiation of commercial agreements and supporting in the negotiation and completion of legal agreements;
• Working together with external landowners and their advisors to achieve target programmes/ project milestones;
• Management of existing, and securing of new, site access and survey agreements for project survey activity including environmental and technical site investigation campaigns;
• Representing the project in collaborative discussions and workstreams with other land interests in the region including other offshore wind and energy developers and other third parties; and
• Securing crossing and interface agreements with existing and proposed third party land interests as required for both onshore and offshore infrastructure.

Strategy and Co-ordination:

• Identifying opportunities to develop and deliver the Project Land Strategy in a way that enables the project to deliver successfully against its objectives;
• Reporting to the Head of Consents to track progress, risks, challenges and decisions in the delivery of the Project Land Strategy;
• Management of the appointed project property consultant and support in the management of and interface with the appointed project legal advisors;
• Collaborating with the wider project team to ensure that the Project Land Strategy is delivered as a collective effort, maximising the skills and capabilities of the wider team, including collaborating with commercial, legal, engineering, grid and project controls teams throughout the project lifecycle to ensure property agreements meet the project needs; and
• Contribute regularly to internal team strategy, reporting, and meetings.

Reporting & Documentation:

• Maintain accurate records of land negotiations, decisions, agreements, and undertake budget control at all appropriate stages; and
• Risk management to identify, manage and mitigate risks relating to land use, commercial and contractual obligations, and supporting the project controls function in tracking and mitigating risk.
• Manage the land budget for all activities, reporting on progress to the Commercial and Finance Director and flagging and mitigating risks at the earliest opportunity.

Candidate Requirements

The role is anticipated to be filled by an experienced Land Manager professional who has demonstrable experience in supporting the development of transmission projects in Scotland.  The candidate will have the ability to manage complex projects and have strong project management and co-ordination skills (covering tasks, programme, budget, meetings and stakeholders).

While experience of Scottish transmission projects is desirable, it is considered that experience on other energy/ linear infrastructure projects would provide relevant and transferable skills.

Essential skills for the role include:

• Degree in relevant discipline.
• Approximately 10 years’ experience of land management roles in a relevant development or renewable industry role.
• Proven land negotiation and/or origination skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Comprehensive understanding of farming and land management practice.
• A collaborative team member – able to work effectively with a range of people across engineering and non-engineering disciplines within an agile team environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills – ability to develop and maintain cooperative. relationships with diverse stakeholders including landowners, communities and professional advisors.
• A good strategic thinker who can assess situations quickly and will resolve issues confidently and decisively.
• An existing strong network of relevant stakeholders.
• The ability and willingness to regularly travel across Scotland, in particular Aberdeenshire.
• Full driver’s licence.
• Eligibility to work in the UK.

Desirable skills include:

• Member of a relevant professional body e.g. Royal Institute of the Chartered Surveyors.
• A good understanding of the energy sector with particular emphasis on offshore wind, with a wider understanding of onshore wind, solar and battery storage technologies being an advantage.
• Sound knowledge of planning, permitting and delivery of grid connections for offshore wind projects.
• Knowledge and experience of the Compulsory Purchase Order process in Scotland.
• Experience of development in Scotland/ North East Scotland.

Location and Working Arrangements

The post will be:

• Full time
• Based in Glasgow
• Hybrid working arrangements available

Benefits Package

In addition to a competitive salary our wider package of rewards include:

• Private Health Insurance
• Life Assurance Cover
• Company Pension Scheme
• Flexible Working Environment
• Yearly Discretionary Performance Bonus Scheme
• Excellent Company Culture
• Health & Wellbeing support
• Access to an online benefits portal which includes
  • travel and shopping discounts, healthy living advice & a well-being resource bank
  • an Employee Assistance Programme which provides all employees with 24/7 access to telephone counselling

We look forward to your application which should be submitted to info@buchanoffshorewind.com

At Buchan Offshore Wind Limited we are fully committed to fostering equity and inclusion and embrace the diversity, of all our people. We welcome applications from everyone, irrespective of gender, gender identity, national origin, religion, social, cultural, or ethnic-background, sex, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other status protected by appropriate law. All hiring decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and qualifications. We are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer for all by providing an inclusive environment free of discrimination or harassment.

If you as an applicant require additional assistance or accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please reach out to us.