Director of Land

Purple Land Management (PLM) is seeking an experienced Director of Land to lead a portfolio of land services projects, client relationships, and project teams across the United States.

The Director of Land is a senior leadership position responsible for operational performance, client success, financial results, and talent development. This individual oversees multiple Project Land Managers and serves as a strategic partner to clients, company leadership, and business development efforts.

Success in this role requires a balance of leadership, business acumen, client relationship management, operational oversight, and land industry expertise. While a strong understanding of land services is essential, the primary responsibility is leading people, projects, and client relationships—not performing day-to-day land work.

Purple Land Management (PLM) supports clients across oil and gas, carbon capture, direct lithium extraction, renewable energy, telecommunications, infrastructure, and other land-intensive industries.

Responsibilities

Client Relationship Management
• Serve as the executive sponsor and senior relationship manager for assigned client accounts.
• Develop and maintain trusted relationships with client stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Ensure client expectations are understood, communicated, and consistently achieved.
• Lead strategic client discussions regarding project objectives, staffing needs, scope changes, and future opportunities.
• Support business development efforts, proposals, and account growth initiatives.
• Partner with company leadership to strengthen client retention and long-term partnerships.

Operational Leadership
• Oversee a portfolio of projects across multiple clients, service lines, and geographic regions.
• Ensure projects are appropriately staffed, supported, and managed.
• Monitor operational performance, project health, utilization, quality metrics, and client satisfaction.
• Identify operational risks and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Establish and promote scalable processes, standards, and best practices.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.
Leadership & Talent Development
• Directly lead, coach, and develop Project Land Managers and other operational leaders.
• Establish clear performance expectations and accountability measures.
• Support recruiting, hiring, succession planning, and workforce development efforts.
• Identify and develop future leaders within the organization.
• Foster a culture of professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Financial Management
• Maintain accountability for project portfolio performance and profitability.
• Participate in budgeting, forecasting, resource planning, and financial reviews.
• Monitor project margins, staffing utilization, and operational efficiency.
• Support pricing strategy, project estimates, and resource allocation decisions.
• Balance client satisfaction, quality, and financial performance in operational decision-making.
Strategic Leadership
• Partner with executive leadership to support organizational goals and growth initiatives.
• Provide insight into industry trends, market opportunities, client needs, and operational challenges.
• Help shape company policies, processes, service offerings, and strategic priorities.
• Serve as a leader and role model for PLM's values, culture, and professional standards.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in land services, energy, infrastructure, engineering, environmental consulting, real estate, or another project-based professional services environment.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing projects, teams, clients, or business operations.
• Demonstrated success leading managers, supervisors, or other leaders.
• Experience managing client relationships, budgets, staffing, and operational performance.
• Strong business, financial, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and decision-making abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading multi-disciplinary project teams in a professional services environment.
• Experience managing project portfolios or business units.
• Experience supporting business development, account management, or strategic growth initiatives.
• AAPL membership preferred.
• RPL, CPL, PMP, MBA, or similar professional credentials are a plus.
• Bachelor's degree preferred but not required.

Desired Characteristics

• Strategic and business-minded.
• Strong leader and developer of people.
• Skilled relationship builder with clients and internal stakeholders.
• Comfortable making decisions and holding others accountable.
• Financially disciplined and operationally focused.
• Adaptable, solutions-oriented, and execution-driven.
• Able to balance competing priorities while maintaining a long-term perspective.

Location

This position may be performed remotely, hybrid, or from one of PLM's office locations:
• Fort Worth, TX (Headquarters)
• Houston, TX
• Midland, TX
• Denver, CO
• Morgantown, WV
• Canonsburg, PA
• Canton, OH
Periodic travel may be required based on client and business needs.