Estate Manager

National Trust; Tunbridge Wells; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

National Trust is seeking an experienced Estate Manager to lead a diverse rural property portfolio across Sussex and Kent. Based at the Scotney Castle office, the role combines commercial estate management with conservation work to support nature, climate, heritage and public benefit.

This fixed-term contract (up to 12 months) may consider part-time working. A full MRICS qualification through the Rural Pathway is mandatory, and the successful candidate will supervise landlord and tenant matters,

Qualifications

• MRICS qualification (Rural Pathway) is mandatory.
• Experience in rural estate management.
• Knowledge of rural property, landlord and tenant matters.
• Experience managing rent reviews, lease renewals and negotiations.
• Commercial awareness and ability to identify opportunities to improve estate performance.
• Experience working with tenants, stakeholders and professional advisers.
• Ability to analyse information and provide practical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Combine commercial estate management with conservation across agricultural, residential and commercial property.
• Lead on landlord and tenant matters, including negotiating leases, licences and other property agreements.
• Focus on negotiating improvements that benefit nature recovery, biodiversity and wildlife.
• Work within a multidisciplinary team to deliver estate management objectives.

Skills

MRICS Rural Pathway

Rural estate management

Landlord & tenant

Rent reviews & leases

Commercial awareness

Stakeholder management

Analytical judgement

Job description

Summary

We're looking for an experienced Estate Manager to join our Estates team and manage a diverse and significant rural property portfolio across Sussex and Kent. You will help to deliver the Trust's ambitions for nature, climate, heritage conservation and public benefit while maximising sustainable income from our estates

To be considered for this role you must hold full MRICS membership through the Rural Pathway. Applications from candidates who do not hold this qualification cannot be considered.

This is a fixed term contract due to end when the previous employee returns from maternity leave. At this point we cannot confirm exactly how long this contract will last, but it is unlikely to be more than 12 months. Applications for part–time working will be considered.

What it's like to work here

This is a great opportunity to manage a diverse portfolio of let estates across Sussex and Kent. Working across farmland, countryside estates, heritage sites and environmental assets, you'll enjoy a varied and rewarding role with real impact. As part of a collaborative team of estate, conservation and rural specialists, you'll help shape the long–term future of these places.

As this role covers the Sussex and Kent region, your contractual place of work will be our Scotney Castle office. Our hybrid working policy means you can balance office and home working with site visits and meetings at other National Trust places. We'll talk about this in more detail at interview, but you should expect to be at a National Trust site for 40–60% of your working week.

What you'll be doing

You'll combine commercial estate management with conservation, working across agricultural, residential and commercial property. You'll lead on landlord and tenant matters, including negotiating leases, licences and other property agreements. In particular, you'll be focused on negotiating significant improvements that benefit nature recovery, biodiversity and wildlife.

Working within a multi–disciplinary team including Building Surveyors and Estate Management and Lettings Officers, agriculture and nature specialists, property teams and farm tenants, you will deliver ambitious estate management objectives.

You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all of the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what's possible in this role.

Who we're looking for

You'll bring a broad range of the following knowledge, skills and experience, shaped by different roles, sectors or career paths, and the judgment to apply them effectively at scale;

• MRICS qualified (Rural Pathway) – mandatory requirement.


• Experience in rural estate management.


• Knowledge of rural property, landlord and tenant matters, agriculture and land use.


• Experience managing estate management issues, including rent reviews, lease renewals and negotiations.


• Commercial awareness and ability to identify opportunities to improve estate performance.


• Experience working with tenants, stakeholders, partners and professional advisers.


• Ability to analyse information, apply professional judgement and provide practical solutions.

The package

The National Trust has the motto 'For everyone, for ever' at its heart. We're working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It's important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we're for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary


• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)


• Rental deposit loan scheme


• Season ticket loan


• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)


• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts


• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.


• Flexible working whenever possible


• Employee assistance programme


• Free parking at most Trust places