Principal Surveyor

Durham County Council; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Local Government Pension Scheme

27 days annual leave

Job summary

Durham County Council is seeking an experienced Principal Surveyor to join Strategic Property Management and lead the estate portfolio. You will supervise Surveyors, drive acquisitions and disposals, oversee valuations, and manage major capital projects to optimise performance and value for local communities.

The role requires MRICS and a relevant degree, with strong negotiation and stakeholder engagement. Hybrid working, competitive rewards, and generous annual leave are on offer.

Qualifications

• A relevant degree (or equivalent) and MRICS with evidence of CPD.
• Experience in property management including estate management, acquisitions, disposals, valuations and landlord/tenant matters.
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and direct the work of Surveyors and Senior Surveyors.
• Lead on acquisition and disposal of land and property interests from instruction through to completion.
• Manage the Council's income-generating portfolio, including leases, tenancy agreements, inspections and landlord/tenant matters.
• Complete and sign off valuations, including market and capital accounting valuations.
• Lead on major capital projects and ensure property requirements are delivered.
• Support the development of property strategies, asset management plans and review programmes.
• Identify opportunities to optimise land and property use and reduce operational costs.

Skills

Supervision

Estate management

Acquisitions & disposals

Valuations

Negotiation & stakeholder engagement

Project leadership

Education

Degree (relevant)

MRICS membership

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and knowledgeable surveyor to join our Strategic Property Management team as a Principal Surveyor. As a senior member of the team, you will help deliver the Council's Property Management service through the proactive management of the estate and the identification of opportunities to optimise the portfolio. WHAT IS INVOLVED? As a senior member of the Property Management team, you will support the proactive management of the Council's land and property portfolio, ensuring assets are used effectively and meet corporate, service and statutory requirements. Working closely with Consultant Surveyors and colleagues across the Council, you will lead on a range of estate management matters, property transactions, major capital projects and complex property-related projects. You will:

• Supervise and direct the work of Surveyors and Senior Surveyors.
• Lead on the acquisition and disposal of land and property interests, from instruction through to completion.
• Manage the Council's income-generating portfolio, including leases, tenancy agreements, inspections and landlord and tenant matters.
• Complete and sign off valuations, including market and capital accounting valuations.
• Lead on major capital projects, ensuring property requirements are effectively delivered.
• Support the development of property strategies, asset management plans and the Council's property review programme.
• Identify opportunities to optimise land and property use, reduce operational costs and support the disposal of under-performing or surplus assets.
• Manage complex projects and oversee the work of external consultants and agents where required.
• This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping and managing the Council's estate, helping to maximise the value and performance of property assets for the benefit of local communities.
• A relevant degree (or equivalent) and Full Membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS), with evidence of continuing professional development.
• Experience in property management, including estate management, acquisitions, disposals, valuations and landlord and tenant matters.
• Strong knowledge of property and strategic asset management, with excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
  We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years' continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website