At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of commercial strategies and manage diverse property assets.
- Company: Join Leicestershire County Council and shape the future of public services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career progression and a commitment to inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the community while advancing your career in property management.
- Qualifications: Relevant degree, RICS membership, and extensive experience in asset management required.
The predicted salary is between 63027 - 69342 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester, LE3 8RA, and sites across Leicestershire
Salary: £63,027 - £69,342 per annum (pro rata for part-time)
Working Hours: 37 hours full-time, or part-time considered
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 5th April 2026
Interview Date(s): 17th and 24th April
Are you a property professional looking for a new challenge, where you can make a real difference in Leicestershire? Imagine being part of a property service that’s shaping the future of public services across Leicestershire. Our Strategic Property Services Team has several exciting opportunities available across our development, commercial estates, operational real estate, acquisitions/disposals and valuation teams.
Leicestershire County Council has an incredibly varied and interesting estate with 728 assets with a combined value of £519m including major development sites, a large farms estate, industrial and office portfolios as well as our occupational assets including schools, depots, libraries, care hubs to support the effective delivery of services for our internal clients. Our occupational portfolio operates under a Corporate Landlord Model, and the remainder is held in our Investing in Leicestershire Program (IiLP), which was established to improve financial resilience and support the continued delivery of essential frontline services, support job creation and economic growth across the county.
In whichever role you join us, you will have an incredibly varied workload and help to ensure the estate meets the changing needs and requirements of the Council’s services. You will also support the development and management of the Council's investment property portfolio, generating value and income for the Council. Whatever stage you are in your career, your expertise will make a real impact on our diverse estate, but it will also provide you with opportunities to enhance your experience and skills. With a refreshed structure and a range of posts available, this is a fantastic time to join us and shape the future direction of the Council’s estate.
About the Role
As our Development and Commercial Estates Manager you will lead the development of a holistic commercial approach, managing costs, generating income and the development of new commercial initiatives and delivery models to deliver the IiLP portfolio through teams of in-house and external professionals, providing direction as needed. In this varied role, you will cover multi asset classes including leading on the delivery of development sites and projects via partners / self-delivery, and the proactive asset management and delivery of commercial assets including industrial, offices and a large rural estate.
A confident communicator, you will provide regular reporting to IiLP Board to update on performance and provide advice on strategic asset management for the portfolio. You will ensure that assets are fit for purpose, best consideration is obtained from the Council’s property resources and strategic objectives, and service delivery plans are appropriately supported. Oversee strategic planning work to assess suitability of sites for development. You will also develop and produce acquisition, disposal and investment strategies and programmes. Identify surplus and under-performing assets and develop appropriate value-add initiatives and/or disposal plans.
About You
To apply for this post, you must be able to evidence in your application how you meet the following criteria:
- Relevant degree or equivalent qualification and full membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Registered Valuer status would also be beneficial.
- Extensive experience at a senior level, leading asset management and development strategies across a mixed commercial/rural estate, construction and building functions.
- Demonstrable evidence of delivering a commercial culture, managing costs, generating income and the development of new commercial initiatives and delivery models.
- Successful development, management and implementation of strategy and operational plans, capital and revenue programmes and budgets.
- A high level of understanding of property disposals and acquisitions at a strategic and operational level backed by extensive knowledge of landlord and tenant law and a good understanding of national and local planning legislation and policies and the public sector environment and the strategic drivers for transformation and change in local government and other public services and how they affect local government and their partners.
- Strong leadership skills, to inspire and develop your team to drive performance, manage change and continuously improve services.
- Proven ability to deliver high value, complex property transactions within budget and on schedule.
You will also be required to regularly visit sites across Leicestershire as part of your duties as Development and Commercial Estates Manager. In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and to delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Interested in Flexible Working? We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.
For more information or an informal discussion, please contact: StrategicResourcing@leics.gov.uk
How to Apply
At Leicestershire County Council we’re looking for top talent from all walks of life. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, and whatever your background - we care about what you bring to our organisation, not just what’s on your CV. That’s why we’ve designed a recruitment process that’s fair, accessible, and focused on potential. And with benefits that support people at every age and stage of life, we make sure you can thrive - both personally and professionally.
If you share our passion to make a difference for the people of Leicestershire, we’d love to hear from you. Click the apply button to submit your application, ensuring that you upload a supporting statement that explains how you meet the criteria listed in the ‘About You’ section above. Without this information, we won’t be able to assess your suitability for the role, and your application will be rejected.
For tips on how to write your statement, see the How to Apply section on our career site. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post or want to request an application pack in an alternative format, please contact our Employee Service Centre by telephoning 0300 3030222 (select option 2) or raising a ticket via our online portal: https://emss.org.uk/support.
By applying for this post, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
Development and Commercial Estates Manager employer: Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
Leicestershire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can truly make a difference in the community. With a commitment to employee growth and development, we provide opportunities for professional advancement while fostering a culture of inclusivity and flexibility, including options for hybrid working. Join us at County Hall in Glenfield, where your expertise will contribute to shaping the future of public services across Leicestershire, all while enjoying a competitive salary and a supportive team atmosphere.
Contact Details:
Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development and Commercial Estates Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the property sector, especially those who might have insights into Leicestershire County Council. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the council’s current projects and challenges in the property sector. Being able to discuss how you can contribute to their goals will definitely set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! During interviews, don’t just talk about your experience; share specific examples of how you’ve successfully managed assets or led projects. This will help the interviewers visualise your potential impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the resources you need to tailor your application to what we’re looking for.
We think you need these skills to ace Development and Commercial Estates Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Supporting Statement:Make sure to customise your supporting statement to highlight how you meet the specific criteria listed in the job description. We want to see your unique skills and experiences shine through!
Showcase Your Experience:When detailing your experience, focus on relevant projects or roles that demonstrate your ability to manage costs and generate income. We love seeing concrete examples of your achievements!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read and understand your qualifications and experiences quickly.
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so get yours in as soon as you can through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nottingham City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of property management and the unique challenges faced by local councils. Brush up on your knowledge of landlord and tenant law, as well as local planning policies. This will show that you’re not just a candidate, but someone who understands the landscape.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Development and Commercial Estates Manager, you’ll need to inspire and lead a team. Prepare examples of how you’ve successfully managed teams in the past, particularly in driving performance and managing change. Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how it aligns with the council’s values.
✨Demonstrate Your Strategic Thinking
The role requires a strong strategic mindset. Think about how you can articulate your experience in developing and implementing asset management strategies. Bring specific examples of how you’ve identified under-performing assets and turned them around or developed successful disposal plans.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the council’s current projects, challenges, and future direction. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if this is the right fit for you. Plus, it demonstrates your proactive approach to understanding the organisation.
