Property Acquisitions Program Manager

Property Acquisitions Program Manager

SUMMARY : The Property Acquisitions Program Manager (PAPM) is responsible for all capital delivery project-related acquisitions of property and property rights, including fee simple purchases, easements, licenses, and / or leases to support timely execution of capital projects on scope, schedule, and budget. The position will establish and execute property acquisition strategy, standards, processes, tools, tracking, and reporting to maximize the organization's effectiveness in securing the property rights needed to accommodate necessary water system improvements. The PAPM manages, leads, and coordinates the real estate acquisition program with the support of a cross-functional team of internal personnel from Engineering, Operations, and Legal, including external / regional right of way consultants and real estate brokers and agents as needed to effectively execute property transactions statewide. The position reports to the Project Support Services Manager and can be located in San Jose, Chico, Bakersfield, or Torrance California.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

• Establishes and executes property acquisition strategy, standards, processes, tools, tracking, and reporting to maximize the organization's effectiveness in securing property rights
• Manages, leads, and coordinates the right of way acquisition program with the support of a cross-functional team of internal personnel from Engineering, Operations, and Legal including external and regional right of way consultants, real estate brokers and agents, as needed to effectively execute property transactions statewide
• Establishes and maintains property acquisition policies, functions, processes, procedures, tools, and responsibilities for successful property acquisitions
• Establishes and oversees a team of outside support specialists (brokers, agents, etc.) as needed to effectively manage property acquisition needs statewide
• Develops and maintains a system to forecast property acquisition needs and develops plans to meet acquisition timelines to avoid project delay
• Develops and maintains a system to track all property acquisitions currently in progress with clear visibility on expected acquisition timelines and project schedule needs
• Maintains individual property acquisition project schedules in Microsoft Project Online (MSPO)
• Develops acquisition strategies to include recovery approaches to address acquisitions falling behind project needs
• Documents acquisitions risk and issues and works with internal departments to develop and implement mitigations
• Works internally with other departments to develop clear escalation protocol to ensure responsible and supported use of alternative land acquisition approaches
• Has sole responsibility to lead the property acquisitions program, establish the appropriate strategy, monitor and direct the work of internal and external support staff and be fully accountable for timely acquisitions
• Develops, monitors, and measures metrics to track level-of-service and performance
• Assists in the development of long-range vision, mission, and strategic planning for the Project Support Services team and Capital Delivery group
• Performs work on-site in the assigned office location
• Performs other similar duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Salary Range : $106,500 - $222,800

Deadline to submit resume : Tuesday, December 2, 2025

The Equal Opportunity Policy of the Company is based upon the philosophy that all people should be treated fairly and with dignity. California Water Service, Hawaii Water Service, New Mexico Water Service, Texas Water Service, and Washington Water Service do not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected class. The Company makes all employment decisions in a non-discriminatory manner. EOE, VET, DISABILITIES.