Associate Director - Rating in England

Job purpose

To undertake all aspects of commercial business rates surveying. To promote and grow the service line throughout the region. Advise on all business rates matters to include appeal work, business rates mitigation management, discussions with the local authorities and completion of statutory forms. Carry out site visits and inspections in London and throughout the South East.

Role Dimensions

You will be expected to help mentor junior members of the team including apprentices (if applicable), graduates and surveyors. Where necessary you will be expected to help provide APC experience.

Other data

Working as part of the Professional team and supported by the Division as a whole, the role is to undertake existing instructions, maintain existing Client relationships by keeping them informed of the progress of their instructions and promote and develop new clients and business. The majority of work will involve property situated in London and throughout the South‑East of England. Business generation and client facing business activity is a requirement and necessary for promotion opportunities. Cross‑selling will also be rewarded.

Key Responsibilities

• Client Management for both existing clients and potential clients are provided with a professional and knowledgeable service in connection with the work of the department. Clients should be updated regularly on the progress of their instructions.
• Responsible for Fee and Cost Management, quoting for work and ensuring that all fees and other costs are monitored and processed in a timely way so that income and profit targets are met.
• As a fee earner, to prepare invoices and to liaise with clients and Accounts teams to ensure bad debts are kept to a minimum.
• Professional and Personal Development to identify and address the relevant development requirements for the job; and ensuring that the appropriate skills and technical knowledge are evident.
• Compliance and administration to maintain all the relevant professional and in‑house procedures and standards, ensuring good practice and consistency for the department and Company is achieved.
• Knowledge of changes and developments in professional and ancillary areas and to take steps to expand knowledge of same.

Communications & working relationships

Internal

• Line manager – for support and to monitor progress. To assist your line manager with their running of the team and to help ensure staff remain motivated. To keep company matters confidential where appropriate.
• Departmental colleagues – to support each other and to ensure efficient service.
• Other department representatives – to develop cross‑servicing opportunities.

External

• Clients – to keep advised of progress, to advise and to take instructions.
• Professional bodies – to maintain and develop knowledge.
• Other agents/professionals – to obtain comparables, market knowledge and for negotiation and networking purposes.

Key performance indicators

• Financial – e.g., income, profit margins, debtor days, billing times.
• Service standards – e.g., up to date knowledge of client needs. Departmental targeted income.
• Compliance and Administration Evidence of following the administrative procedures that may include: 100% compliance of QA & Company standards Accounts submission on timely basis (timescale – to be agreed).
• Personal Development - development plan in place Evidence of behaviours as described in Section 7. Assist in the training of Office Team Administrators / junior staff members as required.
• Identifying new opportunities from lease event meetings, lease advisory opportunities from existing rating client relationships and vice versa.

Person specification

Knowledge, skills and experience required:

• At least 3-5 years MRICS, with relevant experience.
• Knowledge of professional matters and potential new markets appropriate to their region/service line.
• IT literate, with an ability to use all IT packages including effective use of database, websites, in‑house templates.
• Able to demonstrate ability to provide various advice relating to business rates.
• Knowledge of current legislation that affects the service line.
• Experience of negotiation skills to prepare for and conduct effective negotiations.
• Able to demonstrate ability to develop the skills necessary to generate new clients and jobs.
• Experience of the relevant commercial markets.
• Able to solve problems effectively and creatively.
• Ability to organise and manage time effectively.
• Report/letter writing – able to produce readable grammatically correct written reports and letters which are clear, logical and persuasive.
• Experience of utilising and maintaining internal and external comparable databases.
• Communications; in addition to I.T based communication, the ability to talk to colleagues, clients and other professionals/agents in a clear & positive manner.
• Influencing clients and applicants to achieve positive outcomes in relation to proposals, plans and working relationships.
• Persuasiveness – able to understand the needs of the client/audience and respond accordingly by modifying or changing the communication style accordingly (written or verbal).
• Initiate action – recognises, creates and seises opportunities to implement plans and ideas to achieve business objectives.
• Tenacity and Resilience – demonstrates perseverance over a period of time to achieve objectives, irrespective of obstacles.
• Attention to detail and accuracy to ensure that activities and tasks are handled correctly and completed on time.
• Responds constructively, enthusiastically, and flexibly to changes in team, market and work.
• Able and willing to travel to site inspections and client meetings.
• Willing to attend networking events.
• Present at internal meetings / seminars?
• Strong work ethic.

SHW is committed to encouraging respect, diversity and inclusion among our workforce and eliminating discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society, and for each employee and client to feel respected in an equitable environment.