Senior Title Project Manager - Mineral & Surface

Job Description

About Inked Land Company\n

Inked Land Company is a nationwide land services firm supporting energy, utility, infrastructure, and development projects. Our services include mineral and surface title research, land acquisition, right-of-way, due diligence, title curative, and project management.

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We are seeking an experienced Senior Title Project Manager with advanced expertise in mineral title examination, strong surface title knowledge, and demonstrated leadership capabilities to oversee title operations across multiple projects.

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Position Overview\n

The Senior Title Project Manager will serve as a technical title expert and project leader, responsible for independently examining complex mineral and surface title, resolving ownership discrepancies, directing title curative efforts, and managing title research teams.

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Advanced mineral title expertise is essential for this position. The successful candidate must possess a thorough understanding of mineral ownership, severances, conveyances, leasehold interests, royalty interests, and complex chains of title.

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This is a hands-on leadership role. The selected candidate must be capable of personally performing detailed title examinations and resolving complex title issues while simultaneously managing personnel, project schedules, budgets, quality control, and client deliverables.

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Key ResponsibilitiesMineral Title Examination & Ownership Analysis\n

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• Independently conduct complex mineral title examinations, including the analysis of historical conveyances, reservations, exceptions, severances, and mineral ownership.
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• Establish and verify mineral ownership through detailed chains of title, including severed mineral estates and fractional ownership interests.
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• Analyze mineral deeds, oil and gas leases, assignments, royalty conveyances, overriding royalty interests, and other instruments affecting mineral and leasehold ownership.
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• Calculate and verify net mineral acres (NMA), net revenue interests (NRI), working interests (WI), and royalty interests, as applicable.
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• Identify and evaluate complex mineral ownership issues, including gaps in title, conflicting conveyances, probate matters, heirship, and ambiguous reservations.
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• Prepare and review mineral ownership reports, title runsheets, ownership calculations, and supporting documentation.
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• Evaluate leasehold ownership, lease burdens, assignments, and other encumbrances affecting mineral interests.
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• Provide technical expertise and guidance on complex mineral title questions escalated by title agents and project personnel.
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Title Curative & Issue Resolution\n

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• Identify title defects and develop practical strategies to resolve ownership discrepancies and title deficiencies.
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• Direct and coordinate curative efforts involving corrective deeds, affidavits of heirship, probate documentation, releases, ratifications, and other instruments.
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• Research and evaluate complicated ownership histories involving estates, trusts, corporations, partnerships, and other entities.
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• Coordinate with legal counsel on title issues requiring legal opinions, interpretation, or formal curative action.
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• Maintain detailed tracking of outstanding title requirements and curative progress.
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• Ensure identified title defects and outstanding requirements are appropriately documented and communicated to clients.
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Surface Title & Right-of-Way\n

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• Independently examine surface ownership, vesting, legal descriptions, easements, encumbrances, and other recorded interests.
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• Review surface title requirements associated with pipeline, transmission, renewable energy, and other infrastructure projects.
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• Identify ownership conflicts, easement restrictions, and title issues that may affect land acquisition or project development.
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• Coordinate title findings with land acquisition, right-of-way, and project development teams.
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Project Management & Team Leadership\n

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• Oversee multiple title research and examination projects from initiation through final delivery.
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• Manage, mentor, and provide technical direction to title agents, abstractors, and examiners.
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• Establish title research procedures, production expectations, and quality control standards.
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• Develop project schedules, staffing plans, budgets, and production forecasts.
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• Monitor team productivity, project costs, deliverable quality, and deadlines.
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• Personally review complex title findings and perform quality control on title reports and ownership calculations.
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• Serve as a primary technical resource for title-related questions and escalated issues.
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• Communicate directly with clients regarding project progress, title findings, and potential risks.
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Required Qualifications\n

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• Minimum 7–10 years of progressively responsible title research and examination experience, with substantial hands-on mineral title experience.
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• Demonstrated expertise in complex mineral ownership examination, including mineral severances, reservations, conveyances, and fractional interests.
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• Strong understanding of oil and gas leases, mineral deeds, royalty interests, assignments, and leasehold ownership.
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• Proven ability to independently establish mineral ownership and calculate ownership interests.
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• Extensive experience identifying title defects and coordinating mineral title curative efforts.
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• Strong working knowledge of surface title examination, real property conveyances, legal descriptions, easements, and encumbrances.
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• Experience supervising title agents, abstractors, or examiners and managing title project deliverables.
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• Ability to interpret complex historical instruments and resolve conflicting or ambiguous ownership records.
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• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, online county records systems, and title research platforms.
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• Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
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• Ability to manage multiple projects while remaining directly involved in complex title examination and quality control.
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Preferred Qualifications\n

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• Experience supporting oil and gas exploration, production, mineral acquisition, or energy development projects.
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• Experience preparing or reviewing mineral ownership reports, drilling title opinions, division order title opinions, or related title documentation.
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• Familiarity with mineral title research across multiple states and jurisdictions.
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• Experience with probate, heirship, and complex mineral ownership curative.
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• Experience supporting pipeline, transmission, renewable energy, or utility infrastructure projects.
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• Familiarity with GIS, land management databases, and title tracking systems.
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• Experience developing project budgets, staffing estimates, and production schedules.
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• Relevant landman certifications or professional designations, such as CPL or RPL, are a plus.
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What We Offer\n

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• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience.
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• Opportunity to lead complex mineral and surface title projects across multiple energy sectors.
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• Collaborative environment with experienced land and energy professionals.
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