Right-of-Way (ROW) Program Lead

Jacobs is seeking an experienced Right-of-Way (ROW) Program Lead to support a strategic delivery partner program for a major electric utility serving the Midwest and Eastern United States. As a key member of the Jacobs Siting, Outreach, Right-of-Way, and Environmental (SOAR+E) team, the ROW Program Lead will provide leadership, oversight, and delivery management for a portfolio of transmission, substation, and grid modernization projects executed under the client's Program Management Office (PMO).

The ROW Program Lead will be responsible for directing and integrating a team of internal Jacobs resources and external delivery partners providing right-of-way services across multiple capital programs. This position will ensure consistent execution of ROW acquisition, easement procurement, property rights management, stakeholder coordination, and project support activities while maintaining alignment with client objectives, schedules, budgets, and regulatory requirements.

The successful candidate will work closely with the SOAR+E Discipline Lead and other environmental sub-discipline leaders to deliver integrated project solutions and support the successful execution of environmental and permitting scopes associated with utility infrastructure projects.

Success Measures

• Deliver high-quality ROW services that support safe, timely, and cost-effective project execution.

• Build strong relationships with utility client leadership, landowners, agencies, and delivery partners.

• Drive consistency, accountability, and performance across internal and external ROW teams.

• Successfully integrate ROW delivery with siting, outreach, environmental, permitting, engineering, and construction efforts.

• Support Jacobs' strategic position as a trusted delivery partner for utility infrastructure programs throughout the Midwest and Eastern United States.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Leadership and Delivery

• Lead the planning, execution, and performance of ROW services across a portfolio of electric transmission, substation, and related infrastructure projects.

• Manage and coordinate internal Jacobs staff and external ROW consultants, contractors, and subcontractors to achieve program objectives.

• Establish delivery strategies, work processes, and performance metrics that support efficient and consistent ROW execution across multiple projects.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for ROW matters within the SOAR+E team and PMO structure.

• Support development and implementation of program-level standards, procedures, tools, and reporting mechanisms.

Client and PMO Integration

• Collaborate closely with client representatives, PMO leadership, project managers, engineering teams, and environmental personnel to support project delivery.

• Provide strategic guidance on ROW risks, opportunities, acquisition strategies, and schedule considerations during project planning and execution.

• Participate in client governance meetings, program reviews, and executive-level discussions regarding ROW performance and project status.

• Support forecasting, staffing, budgeting, and resource planning activities for ROW delivery programs.

Right-of-Way Management

• Oversee all phases of right-of-way activities, including:

• Property research and due diligence

• Route and site evaluation support

• Easement acquisition and negotiations

• Landowner engagement and coordination

• Title review and curative activities

• Appraisal and valuation coordination

• Condemnation support

• Construction support and damage claims management

• Property rights documentation and records management

• Ensure ROW activities are executed in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, client requirements, and industry best practices.

• Monitor acquisition progress and proactively identify and resolve schedule, stakeholder, and regulatory risks.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with SOAR+E discipline leaders responsible for siting, environmental planning, permitting, public engagement, cultural resources, biological resources, and other environmental services.

• Facilitate integration of ROW activities with routing, permitting, environmental compliance, engineering, and construction initiatives.

• Support development of comprehensive project strategies that balance technical, environmental, stakeholder, regulatory, and property considerations.

Team Leadership

• Provide leadership, mentoring, and technical oversight to ROW staff and project teams.

• Support recruitment, onboarding, professional development, and performance management of ROW personnel.

• Foster a culture of safety, collaboration, innovation, accountability, and client service excellence.

• Promote continuous improvement and knowledge sharing throughout the ROW organization.

Quality, Risk, and Performance Management

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for ROW delivery.

• Ensure quality assurance and quality control processes are consistently applied across projects.

• Identify program risks and implement mitigation strategies to minimize impacts to schedule, cost, and stakeholder relationships.

• Support contract management, scope development, and change management activities.

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Land Management, Environmental Planning, Business, Engineering, Geography, Public Administration, or a related field.

• 10+ years of progressive right-of-way, land services, utility infrastructure, or related experience.

• Demonstrated experience leading ROW acquisition and land services programs for electric transmission, substation, renewable energy, or large infrastructure projects.

• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams, consultants, and external service providers.

• Strong understanding of ROW acquisition processes, easement negotiations, property rights, title review, appraisal support, and eminent domain procedures.

• Experience working within PMO, program management, or large capital delivery environments.

• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.

• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities across geographically dispersed teams.

• A valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required for this position.

Travel: Moderate travel within the Midwest and Eastern United States as required to support client and project needs.

As an essential function of the position and as a business necessity, this role requires regular travel by motor vehicle to client sites, project locations, and other work-related destinations in connection with the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities. Accordingly, a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required for this position.

Ideally, you'll also have:

Professional designation such as SR/WA or RWP through the International Right of Way Association (IRWA).

Experience supporting investor-owned electric utilities.

Knowledge of environmental permitting, siting, public outreach, and regulatory approval processes associated with transmission projects.

Experience supporting large-scale transmission expansion, grid modernization, renewable interconnection, or infrastructure development programs.

Familiarity with utility industry standards, project controls, and enterprise program management practices.

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