Estates Officer – EK

Darlington Borough Council; Wolsingham; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Darlington Borough Council is seeking an experienced Estates Officer – Project Management to lead the management and strategic direction of its property portfolio. The role involves estate management, valuations, and handling complex land transactions.

You will work with internal teams and external partners to drive development opportunities, provide professional advice, and ensure projects meet financial and policy targets.

Qualifications

• Experience in estates management and asset management.
• Experience with land acquisitions and disposals.
• Knowledge of Section 106 agreements and development arrangements.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Council’s property portfolio, including lettings, renewals and dilapidations.
• Provide professional advice on estate management and asset management.
• Undertake valuations in line with RICS standards and CIPFA/IFRS requirements.
• Lead strategic land and property acquisitions and disposals, including instructing solicitors.

Skills

Estate management

Property valuations

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Project delivery

Education

RICS membership - MRICS/Assc

Job description

Estates Officer – Project Management

Darlington Borough Council
Location: Darlington
Contract: [Insert contract length]
Rate/Salary: [Insert rate]

About the Role

Darlington Borough Council is seeking an experienced Estates Officer – Project Management to support the management, development and strategic direction of its property portfolio.

This is an exciting opportunity for a property professional with a strong background in estates management, property valuations, land transactions and project delivery. You will provide professional property advice, manage complex property projects and support the Council in maximising the value and potential of its land and buildings.

Working closely with internal departments, external consultants, solicitors, developers and other stakeholders, you will help deliver strategic property acquisitions and disposals, development opportunities and effective estate management services.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the Council’s property portfolio, including new lettings, lease renewals, rent reviews, tenant improvements and dilapidations.
• Provide professional advice on estate management, property valuations and asset management.
• Undertake property valuations in accordance with RICS Red Book standards and relevant CIPFA/IFRS requirements.
• Manage strategic land and property acquisitions and disposals, including instructing solicitors and negotiating complex agreements.
• Review development appraisals and assess the financial viability of potential acquisitions and disposals.
• Lead multidisciplinary property projects, managing external agents, consultants and professional advisers.
• Oversee due diligence, equalisation agreements, Section 106 agreements and other property development arrangements.
• Prepare reports and present recommendations to Council committees, Cabinet and other senior decision‑making groups.
• Monitor project budgets, cost plans, variations, risks and delivery performance.
• Support joint ventures, development opportunities and strategic property partnerships.
• Ensure property transactions comply with relevant procurement requirements and legislation.
• Work with health and safety teams and tenants to ensure safe delivery of works across Council sites.
• Contribute to the development of property policies, procedures and performance standards.

About You

The ideal candidate will be an experienced property professional with a strong understanding of commercial estates management, property transactions and strategic project delivery.

You will have:

• RICS membership at Member or Associate level.
• Strong experience in estates management, property asset management and property valuations.
• Experience managing significant land and property acquisitions and disposals.
• Knowledge of Section 106 agreements, collaboration agreements and other property development agreements.
• Experience managing complex property projects and multidisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of development appraisals, cost plans, financial assessments and project budgets.
• Experience preparing professional reports and presenting recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Strong negotiation, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and work independently.

Desirable experience:

• Registered Valuer status.
• Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) and compensation matters.
• Joint ventures and strategic property development.
• OJEU procurement processes.
• Argus, GIS or other property‑related systems.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to play an important role in managing and developing a local authority property portfolio, contributing to major strategic transactions and supporting the Council’s wider property and development objectives.

If you have the professional property experience and strategic project management skills required, we would be keen to hear from you.