Senior Estates Surveyor

Nations Recruitment; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in the UK seeks a Senior Estates Surveyor to manage property transfers and ensure compliance with regulations. The ideal candidate will have a degree in a relevant field and experience in estate management, especially asset transfers. This role involves overseeing complex estates casework, contributing to strategic asset management, and being capable of working under pressure. The position requires attendance at council offices and travel across various sites in Somerset, ensuring the effective management of the council's substantial asset portfolio.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience of estate management in particular asset transfers and disposals.
• Ability to work at pace and under pressure.
• Ability to work from Somerset Council Offices 2 days per week.

Responsibilities

• Delivery of the council transfer and disposal programmes ensuring full compliance.
• Contribute to asset class reviews and the development of asset class strategies.
• Oversee and undertake property transfers and disposals at pace.

Skills

Estate management

Asset transfers

Working under pressure

Education

Degree level education in a relevant field

Job description

Job Category: Interims
Job location: The Crescent, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY, United Kingdom
Somerset Council
Hours per week: 37
Start date: Immediate start
Salary: £44.25 per hour

1-2 days in office, plus attendance to a variety of sites across Somerset.

Purpose

As a Senior Estates Surveyor in the Estates Strategy & Development (ES&D) team, you will manage the council's property transfers and disposals, ensuring compliance with regulations. Your role includes assessing properties, developing business cases, and overseeing transactions to support the council's strategic goals. You will join the Estates Strategy and Development Team at Somerset Council who are responsible for the strategic management of a portfolio consisting of around 4,000 assets, including 1,300 buildings and 2,300 parcels of land. The role is responsible for managing, overseeing, and delivering a variety of complex estates casework to achieve strategic objectives for the council, ensuring effective management and development of the council’s estate.

Coordinating disposals of non-operational assets through the whole delivery cycle will be a major part of the role – from advising on potential values, appointing agents for a broad caseload of real estate transactions and acquisitions with self‑directed responsibility for individual transactions valued up to c. £1,000,000. All estates surveying activities are conducted with a long‑term planning perspective—typically spanning approximately 10 to 15 years for landlord and tenancy management, and extending beyond 30 years for acquisitions, disposals, and development casework.

The role involves regular travel to a variety of sites around Somerset, including inspection or review of a wide range of assets, some located in rural areas.

Responsibilities

• Delivery of the council transfer and disposal programmes ensuring full compliance with section 123 1972 LG Act.
• Help deliver councils Strategic Asset Management Plan ensuring council has the right assets in the right places for effective service delivery.
• Contribute to asset class reviews and the development of asset class strategies.
• Undertake options appraisals in relation to community and surplus properties informed by feasibility studies and viability analysis.
• Develop business cases to deliver the right property solutions which are financially sustainable and in line with council's priorities.
• Oversee and undertake property transfers and disposals at pace but ensuring process is followed.
• Develop heads of terms and instruct legal regarding transfers, sales, leases.

Accountabilities

• Assisting the Principal Estates Surveyor and other (ES&D) team members primarily in the disposal of surplus Council property, liaising with Property Agents, solicitors (Internally & externally), other property professionals.
• Close liaison and cooperation with other Council departments.

Mandatory Experience / Skills Required

Essential

• Educated to a degree level or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Demonstrable experience of estate management in particular asset transfers and disposals.
• Ability to work at pace and under pressure.
• Ability to work from Somerset Council Offices 2 days per week.

Desirable

• Chartered status (MRICS or Associate).
• Recent experience of Local Government.