SAEL
Website:
sael.co
Job details:
Job Description
Position: Senior Manager & Deputy Manager- Land Acquisition
Location: Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka
Industry: Renewable Energy – Solar
Department: Land Acquisition
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Senior Manager and Deputy Manager – Land Acquisition to lead land identification, acquisition, and statutory compliance activities for utility-scale solar projects across Gujarat. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in land procurement, revenue laws, stakeholder management, due diligence, and government liaisoning within the renewable energy sector. This role is critical to ensuring timely land availability for project execution while minimizing legal and commercial risks.
Key Responsibilities
Land Identification & Acquisition
- Lead end-to-end land acquisition activities for utility-scale solar projects.
- Identify suitable private, government, and wasteland parcels based on project requirements.
- Conduct preliminary feasibility assessments considering topography, accessibility, transmission connectivity, and environmental constraints.
- Negotiate purchase, lease, and right-of-way agreements with landowners and intermediaries.
- Develop land acquisition strategies aligned with project timelines and business objectives.
Due Diligence & Documentation
- Coordinate comprehensive legal and technical due diligence of identified land parcels.
- Verify land ownership, title, mutation records, encumbrances, and litigation status.
- Ensure preparation and execution of sale deeds, lease deeds, MoUs, and registration documents.
- Maintain complete land records and documentation for audits and project financing.
Government Liaison & Regulatory Compliance
- Liaise with district administration, revenue departments, collector offices, gram panchayats, and other statutory authorities.
- Obtain land conversion approvals, NA permissions, and other statutory clearances as required.
- Ensure compliance with Gujarat land revenue regulations and renewable energy policies.
- Coordinate with legal consultants, surveyors, and government agencies for timely approvals.
Stakeholder Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with local communities, landowners, village leaders, and government officials.
- Resolve land-related disputes through effective negotiation and stakeholder engagement.
- Support CSR and community engagement initiatives where required.
Project Coordination
- Collaborate with Engineering, Legal, Project Development, EPC, and Finance teams to ensure land readiness.
- Monitor project milestones related to land acquisition and provide regular progress updates.
- Identify acquisition risks and implement mitigation plans.
Team Leadership
- Lead and mentor regional land acquisition teams and external consultants.
- Establish performance targets and ensure timely execution of acquisition activities.
- Develop standard operating procedures and best practices for land acquisition.
Budget & Reporting
- Prepare land acquisition budgets and cost estimates.
- Monitor acquisition costs and optimize commercial outcomes.
- Present progress reports, dashboards, and risk assessments to senior management.
Required Qualifications
- Graduate in any discipline from a recognized university.
- Postgraduate qualification (MBA or equivalent) is preferred but not mandatory.
- Relevant certifications or training in land acquisition, land laws, real estate, or project management will be an added advantage.
Experience
- 10–15 years of relevant experience in land acquisition.
- Minimum 5–7 years of experience in the solar or renewable energy sector.
- Demonstrated experience in acquiring land for utility-scale solar projects in Gujarat.
- Strong understanding of Gujarat land revenue laws, land registration processes, title verification, and statutory approvals.
- Experience in dealing with government authorities, local communities, and landowners for large-scale land aggregation projects.
Required Skills
Technical Skills
- Land acquisition planning
- Land due diligence
- Revenue records verification
- GIS and land mapping (preferred)
- Contract negotiation
- Land documentation
- Government approvals
- Risk assessment
- Project coordination
Functional Skills
Stakeholder management
- Negotiation and influencing
- Conflict resolution
- Team leadership
- Strategic planning
- Budget management
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
Knowledge Requirements
- Gujarat Land Revenue Code and related regulations.
- Land registration procedures and mutation processes.
- Solar park development and utility-scale solar projects.
- Renewable energy policies and government incentives.
- Environmental and statutory approval processes.
- Right of Way (RoW) procedures.
- Transmission corridor coordination.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Land acquired against project targets.
- Timely completion of land acquisition milestones.
- Cost optimization against approved budgets.
- Number of statutory approvals obtained within timelines.
- Resolution of land disputes.
- Zero major legal issues arising from land acquisition.
- Stakeholder satisfaction.
- Accuracy and completeness of land documentation.
Preferred Candidate Profile
- Strong network with district administration, revenue authorities, and local stakeholders across Gujarat.
- Proven negotiation skills with private landowners and government agencies.
- Ability to manage multiple large-scale solar projects simultaneously.
- Excellent communication skills in Gujarati, Hindi, and English.
- Willingness to travel extensively across Gujarat.
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