Rural Surveyor

NATIONAL TRUST; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charity organization seeking a Rural Practice Chartered Surveyor in Bristol to support management of diverse estates. You will advise on land management and work collaboratively within the Land and Estates team. Requirements include RICS membership eligibility and a degree in a related field. Strong communication, negotiation skills, and knowledge of sustainable practices are essential. Competitive benefits package includes pension scheme, flexible working and discounts.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Gym membership discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of conservation and sustainable development.
• Strong land management expertise with a focus on stakeholder needs.
• Demonstrated experience in structured project teams.

Responsibilities

• Delivering commercial lettings and managing agricultural tenancies.
• Providing insightful land management advice.
• Championing best practices within a structured governance framework.

Skills

Membership or eligibility for RICS

Knowledge of land use

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Education

Degree in rural land management, surveying, or a related field

Tools

Property management systems

GIS mapping tools

Job description

**Important notice**

In line with our redeployment policy, we’ll prioritise applications from employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.

This is a fixed term contract due to end when the postholder returns to the role. At this point we cannot confirm exactly how long this contract will last, but it is unlikely to be more than 10 months.

We’re looking for a Rural Practice Chartered Surveyor to work in the Land and Estates team in Somerset & Gloucestershire supporting the management of our diverse let estate and to provide technical advice and support on land management matters to our operational property colleagues.

You’ll have an interest in nature conservation and combine it with strong technical skills and an entrepreneurial approach to rural surveying. Managing change in the rural landscape through implementation of our new Strategy - 'People and Nature Thriving, is a central focus within the National Trust and your colleagues will look to you for up-to-the-minute advice and guidance.

What it's like to work here

The management of our tenancies and assets, together with the relationships we have with our tenants, underpins our national £40m+ annual rental income and is absolutely essential to the delivery of our conservation work. We’ve recently redefined our strategy and made some revolutionary changes to significantly increase the outcome we want to deliver for nature and people.

If you join our team, you’ll build on these strong foundations and take on unique, interesting case work and associated projects that will shape the future of the UK’s biggest private landowner and the properties it owns and protects.

Your contractual location will be our Bristol Hub. However, there is flexibility on where you are based. You will be required to work at a National Trust location for 40-60% of your working week. This will be discussed in more detail at interview.

The team is home to property specialists including experts in Building maintenance and management, Estate Managers, lettings officers and business managers.

What you'll be doing

You'll be involved in delivering a range of work, which on a day-to-day basis might include commercial lettings; management of agricultural tenancies and agri-environment schemes on in hand land; woodland creation and management; access rights and boundary disputes; work with restrictive covenants; and occasional acquisitions and disposals. Whilst working with our structured governance framework, we need you to be an effective and convincing champion of best practice.

As part of the Land and Estates team, you'll bring a range of skills to ensure we safeguard and effectively manage our land better for nature and build on the relationships we have with our tenants. You'll provide insightful advice, and considerate stakeholder management, and have forward thinking approaches to managing and conserving our land and buildings.

Who we're looking for

Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:

• membership or eligibility for membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
• typically requires a degree in rural land management, surveying, or a related field
• In-depth knowledge of land use, commercial property management, asset management, conservation, and sustainable development
• strong land management expertise, excellent communication and negotiation skills, and the ability to balance conservation priorities with tenant and stakeholder needs.
• proficiency in property management systems, GIS mapping tools, Microsoft Office (especially Excel and Word), and digital record-keeping platforms.

Additional criteria for all other applicants:

• demonstrates practical experience collaborating within structured project teams to achieve shared objectives.
• Highly organised and committed to delivering excellent client service Able to be a strong team player in a team focused on delivering excellent results

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
• 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