Senior Asset Management Surveyor EPN

This Senior Asset Management Surveyor will report to the Property & Consents Asset Management Manager and will work within the Asset Management directorate based in our Bury St Edmunds office. You will be a fixed‑term contract employee for 12–18 months. You will attract a salary of £84,160.00 and a bonus of 3% and can also offer blended working after a probationary period of 6 months – 3 days in the office and 2 remote.

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Reservist leave – additional 18 days full pay and 22 unpaid.
• Personal pension plan – personal contribution rates of 4% or 5% (UK Power Networks will make a corresponding contribution of 8% or 10%).
• Tenancy Loan Deposit Scheme, Season Ticket Loan.
• Tax‑efficient benefits: Cycle to Work, Home & Tech, and Green Car Leasing Schemes.
• Occupational Health support.
• Switched On – scheme providing discount on hundreds of retailers’ products.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Employee Assistance Programme.

Job Purpose:

To project manage all necessary land and statutory consents required to support UK Power Networks ED2 business plan focused but not limited to WSC, Poor Performing Feeders (PPF) and QoS schemes. Your role will also manage Customer‑Driven works, Claims, Diversions and Asset Protection matters on existing assets at voltages of 33kV and above. This is to ensure the delivery of the necessary land rights to allow delivery of schemes and protect UK Power Networks position delivering value for money for its customers.

Dimensions:

You will work alongside Infrastructure/Distribution Planning and Property & Consents Surveyors to improve consent timescales by making business decisions to unblock consent issues and ensure that consents (landowner, statutory or Planning) and any relevant statutory notices are in place to enable WSC, PPF & QoS are cleared for delivery across both the EPN and SPN regions. You will also manage all Customer‑Driven works within the EPN footprint at voltages of 33kV and above. You will also develop a reporting system to give clarity to company partners on the progress of schemes to SLA's. There will be no direct reports, but you will help manage consent contractors instructed to ensure delivery against their KPI's. You will also provide guidance and mentoring to more junior members of the Property & Consents Team.

Principal Accountabilities:

• To be a "Point of Reference" for the Distribution Planning, Legal, Property & Consents Team and Asset Management within UK Power Networks.
• Mentor Property & Consents Wayleave Surveyors.
• Directly negotiate with grantors, land agents, solicitors and consultants concerning the installation, retention, or alteration of UK Power Networks distribution network.
• Instruct and project‑manage consent contractors to negotiate with grantors, land agents, solicitors and consultants concerning the installation, retention, or alteration of UK Power Networks distribution network.
• Make justifiable decisions and recommendations to the Property & Consents Asset Management Manager regarding major financial commitments, strategy and legal matters in association with all Property & Consents functions.
• Daily instruction and decision making with Network's Solicitor.
• Help develop Property & Consents strategy.
• Management and reporting of important performance measures.
• Maintain external contacts with agents, legal advisors, and management services providers.
• Resolve third‑party disputes and conflicts, including major compensation claims, wayleave terminations and public inquiries.
• Identify key business risks and opportunities in respect of operational property and operational assets held on third‑party land and proposing appropriate risk management and business strategies.
• Represent UK Power Networks on industry forums/workshops.
• Develop an outstanding team culture with working relationships and communications within the team and across the Business.
• Help with the daily management of the Property & Consents team, and responsibility for running the department in the Consents Manager's absence.

Nature and Scope:

You will be responsible for the legal acquisition and protection of operational property freeholds and leaseholds, permanent easements, wayleaves and the payment of rent and compensation primarily focused but not limited to WSC, Poor Performing Feeders (PPF) and QoS schemes together with Customer‑Driven works at voltages of 33kV and above. You will offer advice on UK Power Networks consent policy to third parties, Senior Managers, Infrastructure Planning, Connections, Capital Programme Delivery, Network Legal (internal or external), Contractors and will act as a "point of reference" and mentor to junior members within Property & Consents Team.

Qualifications:

• RICS or AssocRICS accreditation is essential for this role; without this accreditation you will be placed on a development plan and your remuneration package will reflect this.
• A high level of experience and technical understanding concerning the legal aspects of operational property and wayleaves management and DCD work programmes.
• High level of business, environmental, safety, financial, and regulatory awareness.
• Competence and experience in resolving property and wayleaves issues and in providing technical advice to DCD and Asset Management.
• Awareness of primary and secondary legislation concerning utilities' operations; in particular statutory instruments affecting electricity transmission and distribution assets.
• Familiar with the roles of, and relationships between, important external partners in the electricity utility businesses – including government, environmental, statutory authorities and business departments and agencies.
• A knowledge of agriculture to be able to negotiate compensation claims in respect of loss of crop, land compaction, damage or losses to livestock, etc.
• Excellent public relations and influencing skills.
• Able to bring together best‑practice opportunities.
• Intuitive with a developed ability to recognise threats and opportunities.
• Comfortable with complexity and conflict.

Health & Safety Responsibilities:

Managers and supervisors carry both legal and company responsibilities for ensuring the health and safety of their employees, those under their control and those who might be affected by the work undertaken, i.e. public, visitors and employees of other organisations. This includes briefing individuals working for them and ensuring there is the necessary understanding, competence and application of requirements to work safely and without harming the environment. Employees will ensure they understand the health and safety risks involved in their work activities and their responsibility to apply the controls needed to manage those risks to acceptable levels. Similarly where work activities can have an adverse impact upon the environment, and where there are legal requirements, employees will understand those impacts and the controls they must ensure are applied.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal‑opportunity workplace.

Safeguarding:

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Where applicable, this role is subject to safer recruitment processes and robust pre‑employment checks.