The Position
Location:
Ludington, MI
Canonsburg, PA
Oklahoma City, OK
Department:
Land Administration
Type:
Full-Time
Structure:
In-Office
Hybrid
Remote
Job Description:
The Land Administration Manager leads Land Administration projects and teams responsible for back-office, administrative, data management, records management, reporting, and stakeholder support services. This position oversees strategic planning, project execution, client relationships, operational excellence, quality assurance, team development, and business growth initiatives.
Job Requirements
Responsibilities:
- Coach, mentor, and develop Land Administration team members across WLS offices and remote locations, building their Land Administration expertise, industry knowledge, and leadership capabilities.
- Recruit and hire top talent; lead onboarding, performance reviews, and performance-related conversations in collaboration with HR.
- Set clear expectations, conduct regular 1:1s, and run team meetings and training sessions that sharpen skills and build cohesion.
- Manage workload distribution and staffing across active projects and regions, balancing quality, deadlines, and team capacity.
- Foster a culture of accountability and ownership where problems surface early and solutions move fast.
- Ensure staff development aligns with WLS Talent & Leadership Systems Initiative.
- Oversee day-to-day Land Administration (BPO) operations, supporting WLS project managers, department leaders, clients, and partners with timely, high-quality deliverables.
- Lead teams responsible for data management, document preparation & control, recording, payment processing, mailings, reporting, owner relationsand other administrative support functions.
- Support design, maintenance and enforcement of quality control standards for BPO databases and process.
- Forecast & manage project costs, budgets, and timelines.
- Review and approve staff timesheets and invoices.
- Administer and optimize overall quality and timeliness of team output, with a focus on minimizing risk for project managers and clients.
- Work across aisles/departments to optimize workflows & processes.
- Ensure compliance with client requirements and company standards.
- Management of project profitability & accounts receivable.
- Reinforce development, maintenance, and evolution of BPO technologyroadmap, aligning with Western’s AI-Enabled Operations & Tech Initiative.
- Regularly assess existing technology and processes against available alternatives to optimize efficiency and maintain best-in-class status.
- Support implementation plans for new technologies, working with outside consultants where necessary and ensuring team members are trained.
- Partner with IT Director to optimize tech performance & resolve techissues.
- Identify automation and tooling opportunities.
- Stay apprised of industrytrends to ensure WLS remains an industry leader.
- Maintain and grow existing client relationships while actively supporting outreach to prospective clients.
- Assist with presentations, demonstrations, and preparation of proposals/bids.
- Present Land Administration findings and insights to clients, executives, and project teams in clear, business-focused language.
- Provide ongoing input into Land Admin-related marketing needs and positioning.
- Partner with regional leadership to align Land Admin capabilities with business priorities and pipeline growth.
Required Skills & Abilities:
- Proven experience leading sizeable virtual or distributed teams.
- Demonstrated experience supporting land services: acquisition, due diligence, title, curative, land administration, etc. (across various industries).
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities without sacrificing quality.
- Clear, direct communicator who can translate data into decisions.
- Strong computer, problem-solving, & organizational skills with attention to detail.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) & various land systems (Quorum, LandFolio, Bolo, Salesforce, etc.) preferred.
- AI integration / application experience preferred.
- Microsoft (Copilot Studio/Power Automate/etc.) or Odoo application experience preferred.
Required Education & Experience:
- Bachelor degree preferred in Business, Operations, Project Management, or related field.
- Multi-industry experience: oil & gas, renewables, right-of-way, utilities, government, natural resources, or real estate.
- Sr. Project Manager/Project Director candidates will have 8+ years of Land Administration experience, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership capacity for larger scale teams.
- Project Manager candidates will have 5+ years of Land Administration experience, specifically in the Oil & Gas industry, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership capacity for larger scale teams.
Western Land Services Benefits
Why WLS?
At WLS, our employees are the foundation of our success. Investing in our employees, means investing in our future, and it all starts with the recruitment and retention of talented individuals. WLS harbors a flexible, stimulating work environment that is family-oriented. We are recognized for employees who work hard, not because they have to, but because they want to. Hard work and dedication is noticed and rewarded, through advancement opportunities and incentives. As an Employee Owned Company, our employees also have the ability to share in the financial rewards of ownership. Every employee, regardless of position, contributes to our success. As a member of our team, you will get to experience:
Employee Stock Ownership
(ESOP)
Fully vested WLS employees are eligible to receive stock within the company.
Advancement & Cross Training
Opportunity's to grow and learn various operations within the company that fits you.
Annual Performance Reviews & Bonus Program
Receive annual performance reviews to stay at completive pay rates while also being eligible for our bonus program
Full-Time Employee Benefits
- Paid Holidays and Vacation Time
- BCBS Health Insurance & Supplemental Insurances at group rates
- Employer funded Health Savings & 401k Accounts with matching.
Wellness Program & Discounts
24/7 Access to our Wellness Program and Benefits.
Travel Opportunities
Experience both short and long term travel opportunities across the U.S.A.
Company Events
Enjoy the comradery of your coworkers during Golf Outings, Christmas Parties and other employee appreciation events.
Volunteer Opportunities
WLS is very engaged with local fundraisers/charity events, helping out our communities.