Principal Surveyor

I am looking for an experienced person with particular skills around ICT, data management, commercial property software and Income/Debt. This is a small part of this JD. I could consider bringing someone in on more of a consultancy role specifically in these areas, even part time - it depends who is available and their skills.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB: This is a high profile management level post with a significant impact on the Council's overall financial position and delivery of broader corporate objectives. The purpose of the job is:

• To develop and manage a team of surveyors and support staff, including experienced chartered surveyors, to deliver a range of complex property projects and transactions and to deliver such work directly where required, particularly for cases with very high complexity. To undertake recruitment and/or commission external surveyors as required to ensure targets are met and obligations fulfilled.
• To be responsible for high value and high profile transactions and Landlord and Tenant cases including large lettings, rent reviews, lease renewals and disputes of properties with capital values up to £25m.
• To have responsibility for the Council's Income and Debt function, including the line management of the Income and Debt officer, to ensure rental incomes are secured and arrears cases dealt with effectively.
• To be the Council's leading advisor on the development and delivery of a number of key strategies relating to the Council's commercial portfolio, including Estates Savings and the VCS Lettings Policy.
• To lead on the procurement, establishment and implementation of effective ICT systems used for commercial property management, including the interface with existing Council systems such as Cedar; and to lead on the service's approach to data management and other regulatory processes.
• To ensure officers across the service maintain a strong and up-to-date knowledge of commercial property markets and other relevant issues through regular provision of training and continued professional development sessions.
• To manage project teams comprising officers from different services as well as external consultants and contractors in the delivery of commercial property projects.
• To deputise for the Head of Commercial Estates or other Principal Surveyors as required. To deputise as required for the Principal Valuation Surveyor in the delivery of the Council's statutory valuation programmes, and consequently to be (or have the necessary background knowledge and qualifications to register as) a RICS Registered Valuer.
• To be the lead in the Commercial Estates team for work relating to the development and delivery of the Council's Sustainability and Energy Strategy across the Council's commercial assets and to deliver a programme of work to ensure compliance with MEES legislation.
• To work closely with the Head of Commercial Estates and other Principal Surveyors as part of the senior management team in the Commercial Estates Service responsible for the setting of a culture of high performance and innovation that delivers results across all service objectives.
• To develop strong relationships with other senior offices across the Council in departments such as Finance, Legal Services, Housing, Policy and Regeneration and to provide sound professional advice via both verbal updates and formal written reports to property colleagues and directors; other corporate departments; the Cabinet and the elected Mayor.
• To be responsible for the strategic Management of the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) property portfolio, including reviewing and revising the VCS Lettings Policy, exercising a high degree of political sensitivity, and working closely with a wide range of stakeholders ranging from Executive members, through to commercial tenants, and organisations from the VCS.

Requirement

Candidates/post holders will be expected to demonstrate the following:

Education and qualifications:

• Nationally recognised relevant degree or equivalent
• Member of the RICS on Valuation or Commercial Property pathways
• RICS Registered Valuer, or ability to become registered
• Continued professional and personal development

Experience:

• Extensive commercial asset management experience
• Line management of individuals and management of small teams of officers
• Undertaking a range of professional work across a variety of commercial properties and sectors
• Dealing with complex disputes including those that go to court
• Undertaking valuations in line with the RICS Valuation Global Standards
• Working in large public organisations
• Managing complex and contentious matters and implementing imaginative solutions.
• Preparation and effective control of budgets.
• Preparation and presentation of reports to senior management and Elected Members.