Land Director, Philippines

Levanta Renewables is an institutionally backed renewable energy platform focused on Southeast Asia, developing, building and operating utility-scale solar, wind, and energy storage projects. Headquartered in Singapore, Levanta has integrated capabilities from greenfield development through financing, construction, and long-term asset management, with a focus on disciplined execution in complex, high-growth markets

The company is currently building a gigawatt-scale renewable energy portfolio across Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia, while expanding its presence across key regional markets and delivering sustainable, long-term value for stakeholders.

Levanta Renewables is wholly owned by Actis, a leading global sustainable infrastructure investor and part of General Atlantic’s global investment platform, with approximately US$108 billion in combined assets under management.

Due to business expansion, we are actively seeking a Land Director for the Business Development to be based in Philippines. This role reports to the Head of Business Development.

Role & Responsibilities

Levanta Renewables is seeking an experienced Land Director to lead land strategy, due diligence, acquisition, documentation, titling and landowner relations for its Philippine renewable energy projects. The role suits a land professional with a strong due diligence and acquisition track record, an established network of land brokers, and hands-on experience resolving complex acquisitions, including untitled land, agrarian reform land and expropriation, as well as securing land reclassification through local government units (LGUs). The role leads the GIS Specialist, Geodetic Engineer and field Land Officers, coordinating with internal teams to secure and maintain land rights throughout project development, construction and operations.

Key Responsibilities

Land Strategy, Acquisition, Surveys & Due Diligence

• Develop the land acquisition strategy, budget and timeline for each project, identifying priority parcels, critical-path items and fallback options for production areas, substations, access roads and transmission routes.
• Lead perimeter and relocation surveys, GIS mapping and verification of land boundaries, access routes and ownership documents, using in-house resources and external consultants.
• Lead land due diligence, identifying title issues, encumbrances, competing claims, overlapping surveys, agrarian reform coverage, ancestral domain claims and documentation gaps, and recommending practical remediation or structuring solutions.
• Lead the acquisition of complex and non-standard land, including untitled land held under tax declarations or possessory rights, land subject to agrarian reform restrictions (CLOA/EP), estates with multiple heirs, and properties with defective or lost titles, determining the most efficient route to secure enforceable rights.
• Where negotiated acquisition is not achievable, lead the land workstream for expropriation (eminent domain) proceedings where legally available, working with Legal, external counsel and relevant authorities on valuation, documentation and court processes.
• Build and manage a network of land brokers, aggregators and local intermediaries, setting clear engagement terms, fee structures and performance expectations, and ensuring they are vetted (KYC) and comply with Levanta’s anti-bribery and conduct requirements.

Land Agreements & Documentation

• Negotiate and execute Contracts to Sell (CTS), Deeds of Absolute Sale (DOAS), leases, rights-of-way (ROW), easements and other land agreements for production areas, buffer zones, substation and storage sites, access roads and transmission lines.
• Lead subdivision, titling (including original registration of untitled land), extrajudicial settlement of estate (EJS), title transfers, registrations and annotations; resolve lost-title and reconstitution matters and other land documentation issues.

Local Government Relations & Land Use

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with local chief executives (mayors and governors), Sangguniang Bayan and Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, barangay officials and key LGU offices, including the municipal planning, assessor’s and engineering offices.
• Lead land reclassification processes, including alignment with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and zoning ordinance, preparation of supporting documentation, and securing endorsements and Sanggunian approvals; coordinate with DAR on land use conversion where required.
• Secure the LGU endorsements, certifications and clearances needed for land acquisition and titling, coordinating with the Director – Regulatory Affairs to ensure a consistent approach to government engagement.

Landowner & Community Relations

• Maintain constructive landowner and community relationships, proactively resolving grievances and contractual disputes to minimise repudiation and project disruption.
• Work with Legal and project teams to protect Levanta’s land rights and address material risks.

Project Financing Support

• Coordinate and support land due diligence conducted by lenders and their appointed legal, technical and other advisers, ensuring timely provision of land documents, records and supporting information.
• Respond to and coordinate responses to lenders’ land-related queries, due diligence findings and information requests, working with Legal and relevant internal teams to resolve outstanding issues.
• Identify and address gaps in land documentation, title status, contractual rights and registration requirements that may affect project financing or the enforceability of land rights.
• Coordinate the preparation, execution, registration and perfection of land-related security interests and support documentation required by lenders, including relevant mortgages, assignments, notices, consents and registrations, as applicable.
• Track completion of land-related financing conditions precedent and post-closing requirements, ensuring registrations, annotations and other formalities are completed within agreed timelines.

Team Leadership & Coordination

• Lead, develop and manage the GIS Specialist, Geodetic Engineer and Land Officers, setting priorities and monitoring progress across projects.
• Coordinate with Business Development, Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Engineering, Construction and O&M teams to meet project milestones and budgets.
• Manage external surveyors, brokers and consultants, maintain accurate, audit-ready land records, and report progress, costs and key risks to management.

Ideal candidate should possess:

• Degree in geodetic engineering, land management, surveying, real estate, law, engineering, business or a related field; licensure as a Geodetic Engineer or membership of the Philippine Bar is an advantage.
• Significant Philippine land due diligence and acquisition experience, preferably in renewable energy, power or infrastructure, with a track record of securing land for utility-scale projects.
• Demonstrated experience resolving difficult acquisitions in the Philippines, including untitled land, agrarian reform land, estate and heirship issues, and expropriation proceedings.
• An established network of credible land brokers and local intermediaries, and experience managing them effectively and compliantly.
• Proven relationships with LGUs up to mayor and governor level, and hands-on experience taking land reclassification through to Sanggunian approval.
• Proven experience negotiating land sale, lease, ROW and easement agreements.
• Strong knowledge of Philippine land law, documentation, surveying, titling, registration, agrarian reform and estate settlement processes.
• Experience managing land-related issues, stakeholder relationships and teams across multiple project sites.
• Skills & Competencies
• Strong negotiation, stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Credibility and cultural sensitivity in dealing with landowners, communities and local officials.
• Sound commercial judgement, problem-solving and attention to detail.
• Effective leadership, planning and cross-functional coordination.
• Professionalism, integrity and discretion.

Other Requirements

• Based in the Philippines, with regular travel to project sites and government offices.
• Fluent in English and Filipino; local-language skills are an advantage.
• Able to work effectively in a lean, fast-moving environment.
• Commitment to conducting all land transactions, broker engagements and dealings with public officials in compliance with company policies, applicable laws and anti-bribery requirements.