Land Manager — Farmland Portfolio
Location: Southern Idaho
Job Type: Full-Time
Salary: $135,000 – $175,000 per year, depending on experience with Competitive benefits
Land Manager Job Opportunity in Southern Idaho
A well-established, institutional-scale agricultural operation is in search for an experienced Land Manager to oversee and grow its farmland portfolio in Southern Idaho.
This is a high-autonomy, field-based opportunity for a relationship-driven professional with experience in agriculture, farmland management, agricultural lending, land acquisition, farm leasing, real estate, agronomy, or a related industry.
The Land Manager will serve as a key representative of the organization throughout the region, managing relationships across a substantial owned and leased land portfolio, identifying new farmland opportunities, negotiating leases and acquisitions, evaluating investments, and supporting long-term portfolio growth.
If you are a strong negotiator with agricultural industry credibility, financial and analytical expertise, and the ability to build lasting relationships within the farming community, this could be an excellent opportunity to make a significant impact.
Key ResponsibilitiesFarmland Portfolio & Relationship Management
- Serve as the primary point of contact for landowners, tenants, farmers, and other stakeholders across a significant owned and leased farmland portfolio.
- Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships throughout the agricultural community.
- Manage relationships throughout the full lifecycle of lease, purchase, and other land agreements.
- Serve as the primary contact for issues, questions, and opportunities that arise across the portfolio.
Land Acquisition & Business Development
- Identify and originate new farmland lease and acquisition opportunities.
- Develop new relationships through direct outreach, including in-person visits, cold calling, networking, and maintaining a strong presence in targeted agricultural markets.
- Build a strong regional reputation so that landowners and agricultural stakeholders consider the organization when looking to lease, rent, or sell farmland.
- Support the organization's long-term land acquisition and portfolio growth strategy.
Lease & Transaction Negotiation
- Lead negotiations for a variety of land transactions, including:
- New farmland leases
- Lease renewals
- Farmland acquisitions
- Land purchases
- Hybrid and alternative transaction structures
- Negotiate transactions within established organizational guidelines and present opportunities for final review and approval by the governing committee.
- Balance relationship preservation with disciplined financial decision-making and the ability to walk away from transactions that do not meet investment requirements.
Acquisition Underwriting & Financial Analysis
- Conduct preliminary underwriting and due diligence for farmland acquisition opportunities.
- Evaluate key transaction factors, including:
- Land and property characteristics
- Water availability and water rights
- Title considerations
- Transaction economics
- Return on investment and financial performance
- Build, analyze, and defend financial models using advanced Microsoft Excel.
- Translate complex, multi-variable transactions into clear ROI analysis and actionable recommendations for leadership.
Water Rights & Stakeholder Engagement
- Manage water rights-related matters affecting the farmland portfolio.
- Navigate long-term and potentially politically sensitive issues with discretion, professionalism, and strong stakeholder management.
- Develop and maintain productive relationships with relevant agricultural and community stakeholders.
QualificationsRequired Skills & Experience
- Professional experience in production agriculture or a related agricultural industry.
Background may include:
- Agricultural banking or lending
- Farm management
- Farmland or agricultural real estate
- Agronomy
- Crop inputs
- Agricultural equipment
- Land appraisal
- Agricultural investment or related fields
- Strong credibility and relationship-building skills within the agricultural or farming community.
- Proven negotiation experience with the ability to manage complex, high-value agreements.
- Strong financial, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to build and evaluate financial and ROI models.
- Ability to work independently and manage a high degree of autonomy while operating within established governance and approval processes.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills.
- Comfortable spending significant time traveling throughout Southern Idaho and surrounding agricultural markets.
Preferred Characteristics
- A relationship-builder who can develop trust and maintain partnerships over the long term.
- A disciplined negotiator who understands both the importance of relationships and the financial requirements of a successful transaction.
- Comfortable working in the field rather than in a traditional office-based environment.
- Highly organized, self-directed, and capable of managing multiple relationships and opportunities simultaneously.
- Discreet and professional when handling confidential or sensitive business matters.
First-Year Expectations
The successful Land Manager will transition into an established portfolio of landowner and stakeholder relationships.
During the first 12 months, success will include:
- Ensuring a smooth and professional transition of existing relationships.
- Maintaining continuity across the current farmland portfolio.
- Building trust with landowners, farmers, tenants, and other key stakeholders.
- Continuing to identify and develop new farmland lease and acquisition opportunities.
- Supporting the organization's established land acquisition and portfolio growth objectives.
- Becoming a recognized and trusted presence within the Southern Idaho agricultural community.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base Salary: 135,000–175,000 annually, depending on experience.
- Compensation flexibility may be available for an exceptional candidate with highly relevant experience.
- Comprehensive benefits package.
- High-autonomy role with significant responsibility and regional visibility.
- Opportunity to play a key role in the growth and management of a substantial agricultural land portfolio.
Location & Travel
This position is based in Southern Idaho and requires significant travel throughout the region. Candidates must be currently located in Southern Idaho or willing to relocate.
This is a field-based role, and regular travel to meet with landowners, farmers, stakeholders, and prospective partners is expected.
Pay: $135,000.00 - $175,000.00 per year
Application Question(s):
- Are you proficient in advanced Excel and financial analysis?
- Are you willing to travel throughout Southern Idaho?
Experience:
- farmland leases or acquisitions: 2 years (Required)
- negotiating land or business transactions: 2 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
