Lead Real Estate Representative

This is an expert level position within the Real Estate land rights/acquisition job family. The Lead Real Estate Representative is responsible for negotiating and acquiring the land rights (leases, fee purchases/dispositions, releases, encroachments, permits, etc.) needed to install, operate, and maintain the company's facilities as well as providing guidance and leadership to their team. The Lead Real Estate Representative must display an expert level understanding and proficiency of real estate related topics and activities including without limitation: land title and records research to determine ownership and interpret existing rights; easement and other land agreement terminology; negotiation practices and strategies; review and interpretation of engineered drawings and site plans, easement/land agreement document preparation; communication with internal and external stakeholders; records recordation and retention; and computer and technology systems for mapping, indexing, and archiving land records. They must also have extensive experience with eminent domain and a deep understanding of budgeting, providing strategic oversight and direction, utilizing their expertise to navigate challenging negotiations and manage financial aspects within their projects.

The Lead Real Estate Representative is responsible for the most complex transactions which may involve high profile projects, major account customers, attorneys, public officials, etc. The Lead Real Estate Representative may be required to self-perform these land activities and/or engage and oversee a vendor in the performance of the land activities depending on the project, jurisdiction, and/or business unit being served.

Additional responsibilities of the Lead Real Estate Representative may include: mentoring team members, identifying and initiating actions for process improvement, creating process documentation and training materials, and providing insights based on experience and expertise for the betterment of the team. The Lead Real Estate Representative is responsible for fielding questions from the team prior to reaching management level, assigning and overseeing tasks/territories/workload; leading discussions, overseeing and monitoring production, participating in strategy discussions and decisions; but is NOT responsible for anything requiring management or HR attention (compensation, promotions, HR issues, etc.)

• Utilize expert communication and negotiation skills to acquire property and property rights required by the Company, its subsidiaries, and others.

• Utilizes expert negotiating strategies and critical thinking skills to facilitate the acquisition process. Handles negotiations and tracking complex projects with special entities (Government, DOT, municipalities, industrial, etc.).

• Act as subject matter expert pertaining to company policies and procedures and demonstrate the ability to communicate to the public and landowners, while responding to their questions with limited assistance from Management.

• Ability to conduct or/ analyze, interpreting and provide mentorship to RE Associate/RE Rep with the most complex transactions which may involve high-profile projects with real estate transactions of small value or non-monetary projects as needed. Value/Research properties/property rights to estimate the fair market value as indicated using accepted approaches to real estate valuation.

• Research public records, interview independent real estate professionals and compiles market data for use in the valuation process.

• Research public records to identify and or provide guidance/mentor RE Associate/RE Rep with ownership in preparation of document preparation.

• Analyzes/interpret and/or provide guidance/mentor RE Associate/RE Rep with market data to obtain initial value for the assigned appraisal subject as needed.

• Research and/or assist RE Associate/RE Rep with internal records for existing land right records to aid external customers and internal business partners. Utilize expert knowledge of real estate law and engineering discipline and its application to company acquisition projects.

• Demonstrates advanced understanding of engineering drawings, DOT, municipality, highway drawings and legends.

• Conducts research and takes appropriate action to obtain clear title to property, e.g., interviews all parties who may have an ownership interest, coordinates requests for attorney prepared title opinions as needed.

• Conduct training for vendors and internal personnel on all real estate process and procedures.

• Responsible for the development and updating of all training process documentation and procedures.

• Identifies and/or provides guidance to RE Associate/RE Rep with defects in land titles and assist in the resolution of clear title is acquired as needed.

• Advises internal business partners and assists Attorneys in legal proceedings related to eminent domain preparation. Research and review Franchise Agreements, Municipal Charters, and other legal documents as necessary to determine company rights. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external personnel/groups.

• Facilitates and/or provides guidance to RE Associate/RE Rep/Sr RE Rep with communication and coordination between internal business partners in the acquisition and disposition (release of easement) of real estate interests.

• Works closely with and provides guidance to RE Associate/RE Rep/Sr RE Rep with internal business partners and external customers to resolve right of way issues within established schedule and budget to provide timely construction of company facilities and efficient utilization of Company resources.

• Perform audits as necessary on RE Associate/RE Rep work output and discuss findings with supervision.

• Interfaces with supervision and Legal Department personnel on matters relating to real estate law, property title questions, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) related matters, and commission and/or court testimony.

• Acts as the subject matter expert in real estate matters to ensure best practices and procedures are followed in the protection and utilization of company assets.

• Identifies and acts on opportunities to acquire easements whenever possible to protect company assets.

• Utilizes Corporate collaboration tools and Work Management System to track, manage, and report on workload and metrics. Provide oversight for Vendor managed projects.

• Define and communicate project scope and track vendor progress to ensure project milestones are met.

• Manage risks assess and mitigate risks Vendor may uncover from property owners and then elevate these to management.

• Act as subject matter expert for vendor related questions.

• Administering vendor invoicing.

• Monitor vendor spend and collaborate with Sr. Real Estate Rep on purchase order funding and compliance.

• May perform audits on vendor work output and discuss findings with supervision. Remain abreast of current best practices, regulations, and laws relating to all Real Estate functions.

• Research professional journals and publications.

• Reviews information disseminated by Legal and Tax Departments, State Boards, etc. on changes to various real estate, tax, safety, and environmental laws and codes and ensures compliance by subordinates.

• Stays abreast of current real estate market conditions through interface with various local, regional, and national real estate professionals, e.g., appraisers, attorneys, negotiators, brokers, other real estate managers outside of Duke Energy.

• Stays in touch with issues from the International Right-of-Way Association.

• Participates in professional organizations and associations (e.g. IRWA, SGA, SEE).

• Bachelor's degree in Real Estate, Business OR Other Related Degree

• 6 years related work experience

• In lieu of Bachelor's degree(s) AND 6 year(s) related work experience listed above, High School/GED AND 10 year(s) related work experience

• Master's degree

• Notary Public and/or Real Estate License and/or Related real estate professional designation or certification, having met requirement of a recognized industry association (i.e. IRWA, Appraisal Institute, CoreNet, SGA, CCIM, etc.)

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

• Experience in a public utility industry (electric, gas, municipality) or related technical field

• Knowledge of workplans, survey, paralegal, land development and/or engineering

• Preferred soft skills: highly organized, self-motivated, critical/problem solving, negotiation skills, budgeting excellent written and verbal communications.

• Knowledge of corporate financial systems: assessment of capitalized vs. O&M spend and budget development/management

• Demonstrated Vendor Management Experience: RFP development, proposal review and selection, consultant oversight, invoicing review and approval, vendor reporting for performance metrics

• Demonstrated ability to multi-task while maintaining focus on priorities

Working Conditions

• Field Mobility Classification - work will primarily be performed remotely with occasional onsite meetings after the onboarding period. Employee should live within a reasonable commute to the posted reporting location.

• Remote Office

• Occasional Driving

Specific Requirements

• Driver's License

• Notary Public Required within 6 months of hire