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About the job.

National Highways have an excellent opportunity for a Property Acquisition Policy Manager to join our Property & Compensation team within Major Projects. As a Property Acquisition Policy Manager, you will research, develop, deliver and maintain property acquisition and compensation policies, processes and guidance maintaining compliance with our obligations and responsibilities on matters such as the Compensation Code and our public sector equality duties.

You will act as the lead on ensuring policies, processes and guidance are fit for purpose and are reflective of best practice and learning from National Highways, Professional bodies and Government.

Please note this is a hybrid position and can be based from any of our regional UK offices however travel to our Bedford office to attend team meetings will be required.

• Research, develop, deliver and embed company policies, processes and training materials on all acquisition and compensation related matters to ensure they are fit for purpose and aligned to the Compensation Code and evolving industry best practice (RICS, Compulsory Purchase Association, etc), are balanced within a commercial context and discharge National Highways' public sector equality duties in conjunction with property colleagues and other key stakeholders.
• Prepare and collate (liaising at appropriate levels) National Highways' response to all government and related consultations about proposed changes to the compulsory purchase system and the Compensation Code, such as the Law Commission's compulsory purchase reform project.
• Be the process owner for the "Way we work" Property Lifecycle (National Highways' quality management system) for all property acquisition and related matters by blight, discretionary purchase, compulsory purchase, acquisition by agreement, temporary possession, temporary relocation and off-site planting.
• Work collaboratively across organisational boundaries at a senior level, developing and maintaining effective liaison and establish a 'working in partnership' environment that engenders a cooperative implementation of policy initiatives and best practice.
• Be the Subject Matter Expert on acquisition and compensation matters and the operation of the property services contracts, to provide advice and solutions on complex, novel or contentious cases.

About you.

• Property related qualification (RICS, CILEx, etc) or willingness to obtain.
• Experience of working in a policy and legislative environment, including analysing complex information and interpreting, impact assessing and applying legislative and common law changes to policies, processes and the development of innovative practical solutions, as well as providing technical advice to colleagues at all levels to influence decision making.
• Extensive specialist knowledge of the Compensation Code and its core principles for the compulsory acquisition of land, including blight, option agreements and other forms of advance purchase/negotiation.
• Proven ability to build and maintain successful relationships with key stakeholders and collaborate at a senior level, so that priorities and objectives are clearly communicated with the ability to explain complex Compensation Code principles, such as 'disturbance' in simple terms, to influence positive outcomes.
• Experience working in a customer facing environment to ensure policies and procedures are lean, fair and clearly communicated, enabling customers to understand their options and make informed decisions.

About us.

Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England's motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers and delivery, and at the core of this are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership.

Major Projects are responsible for major enhancements to our road network. We make roads safer, journeys more reliable and unlock economic growth. At the same time, we seek out ways to create opportunities for sustainable travel, help nature to thrive and support our journey to net zero carbon.

Our team work closely with the supply chain to design and construct road projects, as well as develop a pipeline of possible projects as we look to the future. Our skills span many areas from customer experts, land and property advisers to project management. We understand the potential that our road schemes can bring.

External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy.

We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.