Property Officer (Acquisitions and Disposals) in London

The post holder will source and purchase suitable properties to add to the portfolio and sell properties no longer required in line with the business plan and yearly budgets. The role supports clergy retirement by ensuring suitable housing is available and works closely with Housing Officers and other colleagues.

Contract: 12 month fixed‑term until 30 July 2027. Closing date: 16 June 2026.

Responsibilities:

• Source suitable properties for addition to the portfolio, considering budget, location and design.
• Propose potential purchases to the Acquisitions and Disposals Manager/Head of Operations and Strategy for consideration.
• Manage, negotiate and see through to completion tasks relating to the acquisition of suitable properties in accordance with guidelines and policies.
• Instruct appropriate professionals from the existing call‑off order list and record approvals and reports on computer systems for audit purposes.
• Negotiate with agents and developers to secure properties following internal approval, arranging viewings to secure a good value deal.
• Instruct relevant parties to undertake surveys and tests of properties being considered for purchase and summarise findings in internal reports.
• Instruct legal advisors to act on behalf of the Board and summarise findings for review by relevant internal parties.
• Seek internal approvals for purchases.
• Arrange deposits and payments for property purchases via the finance and business services teams.
• Arrange contract signings and ensure purchased properties are recorded on the housing database system.
• Arrange compliance‑related work for newly purchased properties and provide certifications to the compliance team prior to new tenancy.
• Manage tasks associated with the disposal and sale of the non‑retained property portfolio, ensuring professionals are instructed per guidelines and procedures are followed accurately and evidence is kept for audit.
• Seek internal approvals in line with policies for disposal activities.

Refurbishment of Void Properties:

• Work with the housing team and maintenance partners to meet lead times, reduce void re‑let times and minimise potential financial risks.
• Support the refurbishment of empty properties through the maintenance provider or other contractors to meet lettable standards, on time and within agreed budget as per policies.
• Issue instructions to contractors, review proposed work schedules, and seek customer choices in relation to works.
• Support active management and monitoring of value for money, performance and quality standards reviewing refurbishment works for continuous improvement.
• Ensure liaison with internal and external stakeholders to meet customers’ needs in terms of comfort and mobility and planned retirement timelines.
• Maintain liaison with agents, professionals and contractors ensuring compliance with probity and procurement policies.
• Create and maintain accurate and up‑to‑date property records using manual and IT systems.
• Update the delivery partner void tracker and the equivalent for external contractors.
• Provide required information to the business services team for new property set‑up on the housing management system and for disposed properties.
• Provide relevant data and certificates to the property compliance team in relation to works undertaken.
• Raise works orders to contractors, issue relevant instructions, vary and complete as required on the system.
• Update property components and other relevant information on the system and shared drives.
• Provide cost data and progress information to relevant parties in a timely manner for forecasting and accurate cost tracking.
• Instruct and monitor gas capping, drain down and associated activities after a tenancy ends or property is purchased to ensure completion within agreed timescale.

Other Functions:

• Regularly update colleagues as required on works, proposed property purchase and related matters to manage expectations of those retiring.
• Participate in managing calls received through the Housing Helpline and other team contact numbers, and responding to correspondence received through team emails.
• Take personal responsibility for ensuring the accuracy of data and recorded information.
• Manage confidential information appropriately, ensuring systems are complete and correct at all times.
• Perform any other duties commensurate with the level demanded of the role as designated by the Manager.
• Willingness to travel throughout the United Kingdom to meet customers and contractors.

Qualifications

Essential Knowledge & Experience:

• Experience working within a Housing or Property environment (ideally occupied residential).
• Experience of the property environment and conveyancing process.
• General knowledge of building construction and preventative maintenance.
• Experience delivering a customer‑focused service.
• Experience providing support to residents/tenants.
• Genuine skills in engagement, communication, negotiation and persuasion.
• IT literacy with prior knowledge of Microsoft products and use of database systems.

Skills & Abilities:

• Good communication, negotiation and liaison skills.
• Attention to detail, ability to follow defined processes and procedures, good record‑keeping.
• Good IT skills (MS Office products).
• Ability to work with minimal supervision while being organised and self‑disciplined.
• Excellent people skills.
• Flexible and approachable.
• Confident and responsible, making decisions and being accountable.
• Ability to cope with competing deadlines, prioritise and set targets, working in a structured manner.
• Self‑motivated, initiative, record of achieving agreed objectives within time and resource constraints.
• Adaptable and innovative.
• Ability to relate well to a variety of people and create, maintain and enhance working relationships.
• Willingness to learn new concepts and open to change.

Desirable Knowledge & Experience:

• Knowledge of health and safety legislation, CDM and HHSRS.
• Use of database systems (Housing management systems / QL / SAP preferred).