At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Newcastle's property strategy and manage a diverse asset portfolio.
- Company: Newcastle City Council, shaping the city's future with ambition and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, generous leave, and local government pension.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on Newcastle's communities and shape a modern service.
- Qualifications: Full RICS membership and experience in strategic change and team leadership.
- Other info: Join a supportive environment focused on collaboration and public service values.
The predicted salary is between 83663 - 86100 £ per year.
Salary: £83,663 - £86,100
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Working type: Hybrid - three days a week onsite
Hours of work: Full time - 37.5
Overview
Newcastle is a city with ambition, identity and momentum, and Newcastle City Council is central to shaping its future. We are now seeking an exceptional property leader to take forward a modern, strategic and financially focused approach to managing one of the city’s most significant and diverse asset portfolios.
Reasons to apply:
- Lead a major city’s property strategy and shape a modern, high-performing service with real influence and visibility.
- Drive transformation across a diverse estate, delivering value, innovation and lasting impact for Newcastle’s communities.
About Newcastle City Council
Newcastle is a vibrant, globally recognised city with a proud heritage and a clear vision for inclusive growth, sustainability and community wellbeing. The Council plays a pivotal role in enabling that vision, delivering services, stewarding public assets and working with partners across the region to support residents, businesses and neighbourhoods.
As an employer, Newcastle City Council offers:
- A culture that values collaboration, integrity and public service
- A commitment to innovation, transformation and evidence-based decision-making
- A supportive environment where leaders are empowered to make an impact
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
- A strong focus on equality, inclusion and staff wellbeing
This is an organisation where your leadership will be visible, valued and central to the city’s future.
The Opportunity
The Head of Property Services is a senior leadership role with responsibility for the strategic vision, performance and long-term direction of the Council’s property portfolio. You will act as the Council’s corporate landlord, ensuring that land and buildings are used effectively, deliver value for money, and support the transformation of services across the organisation.
This is a rare opportunity to:
- Lead a major modernisation of the property function
- Implement a new Strategic Asset Management Plan developed with CIPFA
- Strengthen data, systems and insight to create a single version of the truth
- Improve the performance of a large and complex operational and investment estate
- Shape strategic decisions on PFI assets and under-managed parts of the portfolio
- Build a confident, high-performing team with clear roles, expectations and development pathways
- Influence senior leaders, elected members and partners across the city and region
The scale, complexity and visibility of this portfolio mean the role offers both challenge and genuine opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking a leader with a blend of professional credibility, strategic capability and emotional intelligence. You will bring:
- Full RICS membership and strong technical expertise across asset management, property management and development
- A track record of leading multi-disciplinary teams in complex organisations
- Experience delivering strategic change, service improvement and modernisation
- Strong financial literacy, including budget management, ROI analysis and value-for-money decision-making
- The ability to work confidently with senior officers, elected members and external partners.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills
- A balanced approach, commercially minded, but with empathy for public sector values, culture and pace
- Political awareness and the ability to navigate sensitive environments
- A commitment to the Council’s values: Proud, Fair, Ambitious
This role will suit someone who thrives on complexity, enjoys building relationships, and can bring clarity, structure and momentum to a service undergoing transformation.
The Package
- Senior Manager Grade SM3
- Competitive salary aligned to senior leadership responsibilities
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Hybrid and flexible working
- A supportive, collaborative leadership environment
- The opportunity to shape the future of a major UK city
Recruitment Timeline
We will be conducting a three-week sourcing and engagement process, concluding on 7th April. A two-stage interview process which will take place on the 17th of April in person.
Head of Property Services employer: Opus People Solutions
Contact Detail:
Opus People Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Property Services
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the property sector. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand Newcastle City Council's vision and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as someone who’s genuinely interested in making an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams through change and delivered results. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them memorable.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Property Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Property Services. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: This role is all about leading a team and driving transformation. Be sure to include examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past, especially in complex environments. We want to see your leadership style shine through!
Demonstrate Financial Acumen: Since financial literacy is key for this position, include specific examples of budget management or ROI analysis you've conducted. Show us how you've made value-for-money decisions in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets into the right hands and helps us keep track of all applications efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Opus People Solutions
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in Newcastle City Council's property strategy and the specific challenges they face. Brush up on your RICS knowledge and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals for modernisation and service improvement.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and drive strategic change. Think about times when you've influenced senior leaders or navigated complex environments, as these will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Emphasise Financial Acumen
Since the role requires strong financial literacy, be ready to discuss your experience with budget management and ROI analysis. Bring specific examples of how you've delivered value-for-money decisions in previous roles.
✨Connect with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with the Council's values: Proud, Fair, Ambitious. During the interview, weave these values into your responses to demonstrate that you not only understand their culture but also embody it in your leadership style.