Principal Surveyor

Social Care Today; North East (MD); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Holiday entitlement 27 days

Job summary

Durham County Council is seeking a Principal Surveyor to join the Strategic Property Management team. You will lead on estate management, major capital projects and property-related initiatives to maximise value and asset performance for local communities.

A relevant degree and MRICS with CPD are required, with extensive experience in property management and negotiation. The role offers hybrid working where applicable, with a competitive salary reflecting Grade 14 (£51,928 - £56,293).

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent and MRICS membership with CPD evidence.
• Experience in property management, estate management, acquisitions, disposals, valuations, and landlord/tenant matters.
• Strong knowledge of property and strategic asset management; excellent negotiation, communication and stakeholder engagement.

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, ensuring property requirements are delivered.
• Support development of property strategies, asset management plans and the council’s property review programme.
• Identify opportunities to optimise land and property use and reduce operational costs.
• Manage complex projects and oversee external consultants and agents.

Skills

MRICS

Estate management

Negotiation

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Relevant degree

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.

We encourage you to contact Stephen Grundy - Consultant Surveyor via email at [e-mail] to arrange an informal discussion about the role.

WHAT WILL I NEED?

You Will Need

• 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.

Please refer to the attached Person Specification for the full criteria.

INTERVIEWS

Interviews will be held on week commencing 23rd November 2026.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

OUR OFFER TO YOU

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.

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.

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Company: Durham County Council

Salary: Grade 14 £51,928 - £56,293

Location: Durham, Durham

Sector: Healthcare Management

Sector: Healthcare Estates & Property

Job Role: Surveyor