Company & Culture
Ensign Natural Resources is a growth orientated independent E&P company scaling through strategic asset acquisitions and disciplined development. The company is entering its second iteration following the successful divestiture of its prior assets in late 2022. Ensign's operating philosophy centers on capital discipline, data-driven decision making, and continuous improvement. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, the company is led by a management team with over 20 years of experience in the acquisition, development, and exploration of unconventional resources.
At Ensign, attitudes and behaviors that support our culture matter. Employees are expected to foster a culture of personal responsibility, courage and good judgement while pursuing excellence in all efforts through passion, determination, and continuous improvement.
At Ensign, attitudes and behaviors that support our culture matter. Employees are expected to foster a culture of personal responsibility, courage and good judgement while pursuing excellence in all efforts through passion, determination, and continuous improvement.
Major Responsibilities
• Manage surface land activities supporting drilling, completions, production, facilities, pipelines, roads, water infrastructure, and other field operations
• Negotiate and settle surface-related issues with landowners, attorneys, governmental entities, and other stakeholders
• Negotiate ROW agreements, water use agreements, surface site agreements, easements, access agreements, road use agreements, and damage settlements
• Organize and coordinate well sites with surveyors, field brokers, landowners, operations, and internal stakeholders
• Coordinate with Operations on construction and surveying of pipelines, roads, pad locations, production facilities, and related surface infrastructure
• Prepare, review, or oversee courthouse research and surface/mineral title run sheets
• Identify surface constraints, access issues, title concerns, landowner commitments, and operational risks
• Serve as a company representative with county and state officials regarding access, road use, permitting, construction, and other surface matters
• Partner effectively with all internal stakeholders to support safe and timely field execution
• Resolve landowner concerns, access disputes, damage claims, crop or livestock issues, road impacts, and other surface-related matters
• Maintain accurate surface files, agreements, title records, payment support, correspondence, plats, maps, run sheets, and broker reports
• Track agreement obligations, landowner commitments, payments, damages, and special operating conditions
• Support acquisitions, divestitures, due diligence, and asset integration related to surface rights and access matters
• Provide regular updates to the VP of Land and other internal stakeholders on project status, surface risks, broker progress, and upcoming operational needs
Education, Experience & Skills
• Bachelor’s degree in Land Management, Energy Commerce/Management, Business, Petroleum Land Management (PLM), or related field preferred
• 10+ years of upstream oil and gas surface land, right-of-way, or landman experience
• Experience negotiating and settling surface-related matters with landowners and other stakeholders using strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Proven experience working with county and state officials, preferably in South Texas
• Experience effectively managing field brokers, contract landmen, right-of-way agents, and other vendors
• Ability to read and interpret surface agreements, easements, title run sheets, plats, maps, survey exhibits, and other land related documents
Required Competencies
• Hands-on operator who sees the big picture and translates strategy into action.
• Energy and willingness to collaborate across the entire organization.
• Confidence to challenge norms and openly share perspectives and data across the organization.
• Excellent analytical, strategic, and problem-solving skills, with sound business judgment.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a track record of agility and flexibility in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Track record of successful outcomes and demonstrated commitment to team success.
• Strong interpersonal skills coupled with excellent verbal and written communication.
• Systems aptitude and process orientation, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Self-driven, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Strong work ethic and high level of personal integrity.
Physical Requirements
This role may involve work in office and outdoors. The employee must be able to safely perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation, including standing on and walking over uneven terrain, working outdoors in changing weather conditions, wearing required PPE, and traveling to field location. The employee is expected to follow all company and regulatory safety requirements and to exercise stop-work authority when unsafe conditions are identified.
We Offer
Ensign offers competitive salary, cash bonus and equity plans. The Company also offers a comprehensive benefits package, paid vacation, sick time, and much more.