Property Cost & Value Senior Manager

Hours: 35 hours, hybrid role, flexible working arrangements considered. Minimum expectation of 2 days per week in our Head Office at Skipton. Some travel required to our branch network as and when required.

Closing Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2025. Salary negotiable subject to experience.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Property Cost & Value Senior Manager to join our expanding Property team. This is a brand-new role within the business, offering you the chance to really make it your own and help to shape the agenda for the society.

Who Are We? Not just another building society. Not just another job. We’re the fourth biggest building society in the UK and what makes us a bit different is that we’re a mutual organisation. We don’t have shareholders; we’re owned by our members. Our colleagues say Skipton’s a great place to work, and you could be one of them, bringing with you new ideas on how we can keep customers at the heart of what we do. Whatever your background, and whatever your goals, we’ll help you take the next step towards a better future.

Reporting to our Head of Business Shared Services, you will play a pivotal role in leading the development of our best-value culture across construction, maintenance and facilities for our branch network and Head Office estate. The Business Shared Services team are responsible for providing and maintaining attractive, safe spaces for colleagues and members across our Head Office and branch network. You will take a leading role in the team, helping to develop a best value culture and making our money work harder for our members. We work closely with several teams across the Society including the People team, Finance, Procurement, Branch Operations and Risk. We also partner closely with a substantial supply chain who deliver our projects and services.

What’s In It For You? Skipton values work/life balance and we are proud to support hybrid and flexible working, where possible. We have a newly refurbished Head Office which offers a vibrant and collaborative working space. We have a range of other benefits available to you including:

• Car Allowance
• Annual discretionary bonus scheme
• 25 days standard annual leave + bank holidays + rising 1 day per year of service to a maximum of 30 days
• Holiday trading scheme allowing the ability to buy and sell additional annual leave days
• Matching employer pension contribution (up to 10% per annum)
• Colleague mortgage (conditions apply)
• Salary sacrifice scheme for hybrid & electric car
• A commitment to training and development
• Private medical insurance for all our colleagues
• 3 paid volunteering days per annum
• Diverse and inclusive colleague networks available for you to join including our Carers and Pride Alliance groups
• We care about your health and wellbeing – we provide a range of benefits that support this including cycle to work initiative and discounted gym membership

What Will You Be Doing? As a Senior Leader in the team, you will have the autonomy to assess the current situation, identify opportunities for improvement, and provide strategic recommendations to drive efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Key priorities include but are not limited to:

• Provide expertise and lead on all commercial related matters relating to construction, facilities management and maintenance across the branch network and head offices.
• Proactively manage all capex and opex costs in close collaboration with the finance team.
• Lead on budget preparation, feasibility estimates and cash flow forecasting for all spend across the estate.
• Develop our benchmark and cost analysis data, helping us make better informed decisions.
• Work closely with project teams to deliver quality outcomes for members and colleagues.
• Actively investigate value engineering opportunities.
• Provide leadership and technical expertise on property specific procurement exercises.
• Assist with the day-to-day management of the property supply chain through the development and measurement of key performance indicators.
• Lead asset management activity including active management of our freehold and leasehold interests, property acquisitions and disposals, tenancy and sub-let issues and business rates.
• Act as a mentor and coach to other team members to foster growth and build a collaborative team structure.

What Do We Need From You?

Experience:

• Previous experience in a similar role.
• Client side experience (preferred).
• Proven track record of leading cost management teams to deliver best value outcomes.
• Significant property (construction, facilities management, maintenance) procurement experience.
• Financial services experience would be beneficial but not essential.

Skills:

• Excellent commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Keen eye for detail but with good awareness of the big picture.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects at once.
• Knowledge of fit out construction and a good general understanding of building regulations and legislation.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

Knowledge:

• Quantity Surveyor / Cost Management background.
• MRICS (preferred).