Rural Surveyor - Cambridge

James & Partners; Ely; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Profit share bonus

Pension

Annual departmental bonus

Job summary

James and Partners, based in Ely, Cambridgeshire, is seeking an experienced Rural Surveyor (Associate Director) to join its respected rural team. The role focuses on professional work and valuations, with opportunities to engage in agency, development, infrastructure and renewables.

You will manage a portfolio for farmers and landowners across Cambridgeshire and surrounding counties, with a competitive package including a salary of £45,000–£60,000, car allowance, pension and profit-sharing

Qualifications

• MRICS qualification or equivalent
• CAAV qualification or progress towards it
• Around 5+ years’ post‑qualified experience in rural practice
• Strong experience in rural professional work and valuations
• Excellent communication and client relationship skills
• Full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle (business mileage and car allowance provided)

Responsibilities

• Providing professional advice to farmers, landowners, estates and rural businesses
• Undertaking predominantly rural property valuations, alongside some residential valuations
• Managing rural professional work including utility and infrastructure projects, acting on behalf of landowners
• Advising on compulsory purchase and compensation matters
• Handling rural agency instructions including sales and lettings
• Rural landlord & tenant matters
• Rural diversification projects
• Renewable energy and infrastructure schemes
• Attending client meetings and managing instructions from inception through to completion
• Preparing reports, valuations and professional advice
• Negotiating transactions and Heads of Terms
• Working closely with solicitors, accountants and other professional advisers
• Collaborating with planning, development and wider property teams to deliver a complete service to clients
• Supporting business development, networking and maintaining long‑term client relationships

Skills

MRICS

CAAV qualification

5+ years post‑qualified

Rural valuations

Communication skills

UK driving licence

Job description

Rural Surveyor (Associate Director)

Ely, Cambridgeshire

£45,000 - £60,000 + Car Allowance + Profit Share Bonus + Pension

I’m exclusively partnering with one of the UK’s most prestigious independent property consultancies to recruit an experienced Rural Surveyor (Associate Director) for their highly regarded Rural team based in Ely.

About the Business

Established in the 1800s, my client has been advising landowners, farmers, rural businesses and estates for almost 200 years. Still privately owned and proudly independent today, they have built an exceptional reputation as one of the leading names in rural property across the East of England.

Combining the heritage, client base and quality of work associated with the UK’s largest property consultancies with the culture and agility of an independent partnership, they are trusted advisers to generations of farming families, private estates and institutional landowners. Their reputation has been built on technical excellence, long‑standing client relationships and delivering practical, commercial advice across every aspect of rural property.

This is an opportunity to join a business where your work genuinely makes an impact, where quality is valued over volume, and where you’ll work alongside some of the most respected professionals in the industry.

The Opportunity

Joining a well‑established Rural Department, you’ll become part of a collaborative team of experienced surveyors based in the Ely office, supported by a wider multidisciplinary team of rural specialists. The role has a strong emphasis on professional work and valuations, with plenty of opportunity to become involved in agency, development, infrastructure and renewable energy projects as your interests develop. You’ll manage your own portfolio of clients, advising farmers, landowners and rural businesses across Cambridgeshire, West Norfolk, South Lincolnshire, Suffolk and surrounding counties.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing professional advice to farmers, landowners, estates and rural businesses
• Undertaking predominantly rural property valuations, alongside some residential valuations
• Managing rural professional work including utility and infrastructure projects, acting on behalf of landowners
• Advising on compulsory purchase and compensation matters
• Handling rural agency instructions including sales and lettings
• Agricultural landlord & tenant matters
• Contract Farming Agreements
• Rural diversification projects
• Renewable energy and infrastructure schemes
• Attending client meetings and managing instructions from inception through to completion
• Preparing reports, valuations and professional advice
• Negotiating transactions and Heads of Terms
• Working closely with solicitors, accountants and other professional advisers
• Collaborating with planning, development and wider property teams to deliver a complete service to clients
• Supporting business development, networking and maintaining long‑term client relationships

About You

We’re keen to speak with experienced Rural Surveyors who are looking to take the next step in their career within a highly respected independent consultancy.

You’ll ideally have:

• MRICS qualification
• CAAV qualification or be working towards it
• Around 5+ years’ post‑qualified experience within rural practice
• Strong experience in rural professional work and valuations
• Excellent communication and client relationship skills
• The ability to manage your own workload and client portfolio
• Commercial awareness and strong attention to detail
• A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle (business mileage and car allowance provided)

What’s on Offer

• £45,000 - £60,000 basic salary
• Car allowance
• Business mileage reimbursement
• Company pension
• Annual company‑wide profit share bonus
• Additional structured departmental bonus
• Clear progression to Senior Associate Director and beyond
• Exposure to high‑quality, varied instructions across rural property
• Opportunity to broaden your expertise into development, renewables and agency work
• Supportive, collaborative and highly experienced team
• Based in the beautiful cathedral city of Ely

The role is predominantly office‑based to encourage collaboration and client service, although there is flexibility for occasional hybrid working for the right individual.

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to join one of the country’s longest‑established independent property consultancies, where heritage is matched by innovation and ambition.

You’ll benefit from working with an enviable client base, a diverse workload and genuine career progression, while remaining part of a business that values collaboration, quality and long‑term relationships over corporate targets.

If you’re an experienced Rural Surveyor looking for a role that offers prestige, autonomy and excellent long‑term career prospects, I’d welcome a confidential conversation.