Director of Land Enrolment, South Africa

ABOUT US 

Imperative is a global carbon project development company that aims to be in the top decile for quality in the carbon projects market. We have a build-own-operate model and specialise in the design, development and operation of carbon credit projects that help combat climate change while promoting biodiversity conservation, economic growth and social development in the countries in which we operate. With a strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility, we are seeking a highly skilled and experienced land professional to join our dynamic team.

POSITION PURPOSE

The Director of Land Enrolment will be responsible for leading and managing all aspects of land leases, primarily focusing on private farming land, to support Imperative’s large scale Spekboom project. This pivotal role requires an individual with exceptional interpersonal, commercial and negotiation skills, coupled with a deep understanding of the agricultural property market in South Africa. The ideal candidate will be a trusted go-getter who can effectively engage with the farming community and quickly grasp the ecological and carbon dimensions of our work.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Land Enrolment: Develop and implement comprehensive land lease strategies aligned with project requirements and company goals, with a particular focus on farming real estate.
• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and manage a high-performing land acquisition team, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented environment.
• Market Intelligence: Conduct in-depth research and analysis of the farming real estate market, identifying suitable land parcels and emerging opportunities.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with landowners, particularly farmers, ensuring transparent and respectful communication throughout the acquisition process.
• Expert Negotiation: Lead complex contract negotiations with landowners, demonstrating excellent selling skills and securing favourable terms for the company while ensuring ethical and fair dealings.
• Due Diligence & Compliance: Oversee and coordinate comprehensive due diligence processes, including legal, environmental, and financial assessments.
• Project Integration: Collaborate closely with internal teams, including legal, project development, and environmental specialists, to ensure seamless integration of land enrolment with overall project timelines and objectives.
• Ecological & Carbon Acumen: Rapidly develop a high-level understanding of the ecological and carbon aspects relevant to the project to effectively communicate project benefits and negotiate with informed landowners.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 10-15 years of progressive experience in land acquisition, real estate development, or a closely related field, with a strong emphasis on large-scale property transactions.
• Demonstrated success in acquiring or leasing significant land parcels, ideally within the renewable energy, agricultural or rural property sector.
• Experience relating to and building rapport with the farming community; a background rooted in farming or rural life is highly advantageous.
• Consideration will be given to candidates with experience from the renewables sector in the region, provided they demonstrate a strong ability to build positive relationships with farmers.

SKILLS

• Exceptional Negotiation Skills: Proven track record of successful, complex contract negotiations.
• Strong Selling Skills: Ability to effectively present project benefits and secure landowner buy-in.
• Excellent People Skills: Demonstrated ability to build rapport, establish trust, and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, particularly farmers.
• Strategic Thinker: Ability to identify opportunities, anticipate challenges, and develop proactive solutions.
• Results-Oriented Go-Getter: A proactive and driven individual with a strong commitment to achieving targets.
• Trustworthy: Unquestionable integrity and ethical conduct are paramount.

LANGUAGE

• Fluency in spoken and written English is a requirement.

EDUCATION

• A Bachelor’s degree from a reputable university in Real Estate, Business Administration, Law, Agriculture, or a related field.
• A strong academic record is highly regarded for this senior role.

DESIRED PROFILE

We are seeking an individual who not only possesses the technical skills but also the unique personal attributes to excel in this role. Someone akin to a highly respected and successful estate agent specializing in farm properties, known for their integrity, local knowledge, and ability to connect with people, would be an ideal fit. A candidate who grew up on a farm and can genuinely relate to the challenges and perspectives of the farming community will be particularly well-suited.

LOCATION      

Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa

VALUES

At Imperative, we are passionate about our values are encourage all team members to embrace them.

• Integrity: We act honourably and are guided by a strong moral compass. If things go wrong, we put our hand up, admit it and adapt.
• Momentum: Speed matters. We have a bias to action. We think quick, we plan tirelessly, we mitigate risks but above all, we take action.
• Purpose: We are driven by our desire to make the world better, with every interaction, process and project.
• Accountability: We do what we say, and we deliver. We seek to be the best at what we do.
• Collaboration: We celebrate diversity of thought, values and backgrounds and seek to harness the strength of our people and partners to achieve more than we individually can, through teamwork and creativity.
• Tenacity: We are highly ambitious, driven and hardworking. We persist until we deliver impact.