Principal Land & Property Surveyor

Are you looking to play your part in transforming one of the most dynamic cities in the UK?

Our vision is for Leeds to be the best city in the UK. One that is caring and compassionate, has a strong economy and which tackles and reduces inequalities.

The focus of our business is to undertake a full range of property related services a covering a range of Council owned assets across the City. The organisational culture is to provide a quality service that we can be proud of and enhances the development of the Leeds City region.

About the role

The Principal Land and Property Surveyor is a senior role with team management responsibilities as well as accountability on behalf of the Land and Property Service across a range of projects in different portfolios. The post holder will work with Executive Managers, Deputy Heads of Service and Heads of Service in helping the delivery of property related projects.

The work will be varied with a bias focused on the management of the Council's property investment portfolio and maximising revenue income and returns The work will cover the following areas:

• Responsible for motivation and development of the team of staff of senior surveyors, surveyors, technical and support staff and to co-ordinate and deliver a cost effective and efficient asset and property management service covering the acquisition, disposal, valuation, management and creation of a high yielding investment property portfolio, for the continued economic development of the city.
• Provide an effective property service which can incorporate the following areas of work.
• The creation and management of a high yielding investment portfolio, including acquiring new investment opportunities and undertaking rent reviews and agreeing leases, lease renewals, surrenders and service charge arrangements.
• The continuous review of the performance of the portfolio in order to increase and maximise its value.
• Valuation and property advice.
• Undertaking negotiations in respect of the above and entering into the appropriate legal agreements.

The other areas of work that you may have the opportunity to be involved in include:

Responsible for leading a multi-disciplined team of officers/consultants to deliver such schemes over and above managing the team of staff within the section.

To monitor performance including the collection, interpretation and reporting on performance indicators to ensure that staff within the service are being set and achieving targets and are able to achieve expected levels of efficiency, effectiveness and performance.

Professional responsibility for approving and signing off valuations in accordance with the criteria set Service's approved processes.

About You

In line with the Council's values, you will:

• Be a MRICS commercial surveyor having completed a RICS accredited degree
• be compassionate and have emotional intelligence - possessing excellent leadership and motivational skills to get the best out of people.
• have a proven track record in negotiating and delivering complex property related activity, covering managing a property portfolio and landlord and tenant work.
• Ability to manage and monitor performance effectively and set clear objectives for the review of individual and service level performance
• build networks based on honesty, trust and respect across a wide range of sectors.
• be flexible and adaptable to lead a wide range of initiatives.
• have an excellent all-round understanding and experience of property work and the relevant legal processes, balanced with commercial acumen and compassion.
• be able to lead on both detailed delivery of schemes and development of strategy.

How to apply

Please upload a copy of your CV, along with a covering letter which explains both why you are attracted to this post, and why you are the right person for us. Please limit your covering letter to no more than 1 page.