DIO – Assistant Head of Estates – Acquisitions and Disposals

Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO); Greater London; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to safeguarding the nation through effective management of the Defence estate. This role offers the chance to lead a talented team in delivering impactful projects that support the UK Defence Mission. As a Principal Surveyor, you will oversee diverse disposal strategies, engage with various stakeholders, and contribute to the management of a vast property portfolio. With a commitment to professional development and a collaborative environment, you will thrive in a role that presents unique challenges and opportunities for growth. If you are passionate about property management and want to make a difference, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Civil Service Pension

Flexible Working Options

Learning and Development Opportunities

25 Days Annual Leave

Access to CPD Events

Qualifications

• Experience in property acquisition and disposals.
• Leadership experience managing teams in complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Manage and report on a Disposals Programme.
• Lead delivery of large disposal sites and manage a small team.

Skills

Landlord & Tenant

Strategic Planning

Development Control

Project Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

RICS Accredited Degree

Membership of RICS

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Join the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and have a future that matters: Be proud; Be challenged; Be unique.

Andover, South East England, SP11 8HJ

Job Summary

Do you want to work for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and play a key role in keeping our country safe through caring for the Defence estate and those that depend on it? DIO manages the Defence estate, one of the UK’s largest and most diverse property portfolios, enabling the armed forces and Defence civilians to live, work, train and deploy. From net carbon-zero accommodation to runways for the F35 fighter jets, our outputs are unique in the UK and across the globe!

If you are a suitably qualified property professional who would be interested in working client-side with Military colleagues on one of the largest estates inthe country and/or across an extensive overseas portfolio, and you are motivated by the prospect of working on a diverse range of exciting, interestingand often-challenging projects of National interest in support of the UK Defence Mission, then the DIO Estates Team is for you!

The Role

DIO Estates currently have a vacancy for a Principal Surveyor to lead a team within our Acquisitions and Disposals division.

The post holder will lead one of the Development Surveying Teams in the South of England having responsibility for a portfolio of site disposal projects. They will have a background in creating value from redundant assets and implementing disposal strategies to deliver financial and other benefits. Broad ranging project and estate management experience is essential. The variety and scale of work on offer is exceptional.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our nationwide network of highly skilled Surveyors, and we are looking for a motivated suitability qualified property professional to join and lead an established team, working closely with military and civilian colleges delivering exciting, varied estate activities, programmes, and subject matter professional advice.

The MOD Estate is wide and varied, on this unique Estate variety is certain and no 2 days will be the same! The breadth of work on offer is exceptional with opportunities to get involved in a wide range of projects across the UK to enable Defence capability.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

Main Responsibilities

You will cover the southern region of the UK and have special responsibility for managing one of the departments’ disposal programmes and well as taking a direct lead on some larger strategic disposals. You will thrive on variety and complexity, be a strong team player and enjoy fronting up to a challenge. You will encounter a vast array of stakeholders and will commission and work closely with an extensive supply chain. You will be motivated to support your customers, the various divisions of the armed forces, by providing them with sound professional advice.

The work is extremely varied and wide ranging, but key activities for each of the role will include:

• Managing and reporting on a Disposals Programme.
• Leading on the delivery of 2x large disposal sites - Including town planning investigations, master planning, valuation, site surveys, stakeholder communication, disposal strategy and implementation.
• Managing a small team of Surveyors and supporting a graduate or apprentice.
• Assisting the Deputy Head of Estates on wider Estate matters in the South - including, for example, site management, health and safety and legal matters
• Contributing to the broader management of the Estates Acquisition and Disposal Team - including, for example, arrangement of team meetings, CPD and networking events.
  
  

Location

The role will be based at the Andover office and the successful candidate will be expected to regularly attend the office location and will involve weekly attendance to the office for face-to-face meetings and collaboration. The role will involve regular travel to sites within their region and occasionally UK wide for meetings and/or site inspections.Alongside the advertised locations, other DIO locations may be offered.

If travelling outside your base location for duty reasons, you will have access to flights, hire cars, rail tickets and overnight accommodation. You can also claim 45 pence per mile should you choose to use your own vehicle for business travel.

Travel may be required to carry out site visits where you may go on MOD Establishments, residential estates, building sites, agricultural land, training areas and firing ranges etc.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

DIO Business Area – Estates

The Defence estate is one of the largest landholdings in the UK and covers an estimated 1.8% of the UK land mass (200,000+ ha). This is complemented by a significant UK Defence presence overseas.

Estates are the in-house real estate team within the DIO (part of the UK Ministry of Defence) supporting infrastructure needs across a high-profile Public Estate. We acquire, manage, safeguard, and dispose of Defence real estate. Our unique customer knowledge and insight of the Defence Estate enables our in-house team of property professionals to provide in-depth advice to our Military customers.

The Teams

Acquisitions and Disposals (A&D) is the in-house Estates team responsible for disposing of all surplus MOD land and property to realise capital receipts for re-investment in the retained MOD estate. The team manages an extensive pipeline of sites for disposal supporting major infrastructure programmes. Theteam also acquire land and property for MOD projects when required.

Main Responsibilities

You will cover the southern region of the UK and have special responsibility for managing one of the departments’ disposal programmes and well as taking a direct lead on some larger strategic disposals. You will thrive on variety and complexity, be a strong team player and enjoy fronting up to a challenge. You will encounter a vast array of stakeholders and will commission and work closely with an extensive supply chain. You will be motivated to support your customers, the various divisions of the armed forces, by providing them with sound professional advice.

The work is extremely varied and wide ranging, but key activities for each of the role will include:

• Managing and reporting on a Disposals Programme.
• Leading on the delivery of 2x large disposal sites - Including town planning investigations, master planning, valuation, site surveys, stakeholder communication, disposal strategy and implementation.
• Managing a small team of Surveyors and supporting a graduate or apprentice.
• Assisting the Deputy Head of Estates on wider Estate matters in the South - including, for example, site management, health and safety and legal matters
• Contributing to the broader management of the Estates Acquisition and Disposal Team - including, for example, arrangement of team meetings, CPD and networking events.
  
  

Location

The role will be based at the Andover office and the successful candidate will be expected to regularly attend the office location and will involve weekly attendance to the office for face-to-face meetings and collaboration. The role will involve regular travel to sites within their region and occasionally UK wide for meetings and/or site inspections.Alongside the advertised locations, other DIO locations may be offered.

If travelling outside your base location for duty reasons, you will have access to flights, hire cars, rail tickets and overnight accommodation. You can also claim 45 pence per mile should you choose to use your own vehicle for business travel.

Travel may be required to carry out site visits where you may go on MOD Establishments, residential estates, building sites, agricultural land, training areas and firing ranges etc.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

DIO Business Area – Estates

The Defence estate is one of the largest landholdings in the UK and covers an estimated 1.8% of the UK land mass (200,000+ ha). This is complemented by a significant UK Defence presence overseas.

Estates are the in-house real estate team within the DIO (part of the UK Ministry of Defence) supporting infrastructure needs across a high-profile Public Estate. We acquire, manage, safeguard, and dispose of Defence real estate. Our unique customer knowledge and insight of the Defence Estate enables our in-house team of property professionals to provide in-depth advice to our Military customers.

The Teams

Acquisitions and Disposals (A&D) is the in-house Estates team responsible for disposing of all surplus MOD land and property to realise capital receipts for re-investment in the retained MOD estate. The team manages an extensive pipeline of sites for disposal supporting major infrastructure programmes. Theteam also acquire land and property for MOD projects when required.

Person specification

Essential Experience

Relevant, suitable experience and knowledge at an appropriate level in property acquisition, disposals and leadership of teams, including:

• Landlord & Tenant
• Strategic planning, development control, planning and project management
• Senior Stakeholder Engagement
• Disposal of major/complex sites and development management
• Working within a complex organisational environment
  
  

Desirable Experience:

• Working in a Defence environment
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office
  
  

Licences

Full Driving Licence Essential: Post holders will be required to travel to the sites covered by the post on a regular basis and some sites are difficult to access via public transport.

Qualifications

Essential - RICS accredited Degree OR Qualification

Memberships

Essential - Full membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS/FRICS)

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
  
  

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Government Property Profession Career Framework: 1: Property Professional Expertise –Expert Level
• Government Property Profession Career Framework: 3: Stakeholder Engagement – Expert level
  
  

Alongside your salary of £59,690, Ministry of Defence contributes £17,292 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• 25 days annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service.
• Successful candidates will become members of the Government Property Profession, with benefits including opportunities for Government and industry led CPD events; access to a diverse community of property professionals across government for sharing knowledge and ideas; and a comprehensive career framework and learning and development curriculum to support your career journey.
  
  

To learn more about our full range of benefits, view our Candidate Information Guide attached.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Please ensure that at the application and interview stages of the campaign you review the Success Profiles Framework to assist you in the demonstration of your skills and experience.

Your suitability for the role will be assessed using the Success Profile elements that have been chosen for this campaign. Each element will be scored accordingly, and the successful candidate will be appointed on merit.

At application you will be assessed against the following:

Experience:

• CV including Job History, Full Qualification Details and Previous Skills & Experience: Please ensure that you explain all skills and experience that are relevant to the advertised role as detailed within the Essential experience within the personal specification section of the advert.
  
  

At interview you will be assessed against the above PLUS the following

Behaviours:

• Leadership
  
  

Technical: Government Property Profession Career Framework:

• 1: Property Professional Expertise – Expert Level
• 3: Stakeholder Engagement - Expert level
  
  

Presentation:

• Candidates who are successful at application sift will be expected to deliver a presentation on the day of the interview. The subject matter will be disclosed upon invite to interview.
  
  

We want to offer opportunities to all who are successful at interview for our roles, but this isn't always possible, so we do hold candidates on an active reserve list for 12 months. It is also possible that we may offer similar lower graded role/s to reserve candidates or, if no reserves are appointed, candidates that meet the lower grade criteria in merit order.

Application sifting is scheduled to take place on week commencing 12th May 2025.

Interviews are currently taking place via Face to Face or remotely through a digital platform, this will be confirmed with the successful candidates who are invited to an interview and will be conducted week commencing 19th May 2025.

A minimum of 2 full working days’ notice will be provided for interviews. We endeavour to stick to these dates, but these are subject to change around business needs.

To assist with your application please find attached below:

• DIO Candidate Information Guide
• GPP Career Framework https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62ab0341e90e070391963cc3/GPP_Career_Framework.pdf)
  
  

For help and support with your application check out our Civil Service Careers Homepage : https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk) and the How to apply section : https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/how-to-apply/

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: [e-mail] .

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
  
  

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Alastair Dobson
• Email : [e-mail]
• Telephone : [phone]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: [e-mail].