Operational Portfolio Manager

1. To lead on best practice estate management planning and delivery, improving operational assets and identifying differing ‘opportunities’ across the portfolios which will drive both social investment and property performance in line with overall council objectives
2. To lead the Operational team including the development and implementation of the Council’s Corporate Property Strategy and implementation of a Corporate Landlord model
3. To seek to continually improve utilisation, reduce property running costs, providing flexible property in the right location and release potential disposal or reuse opportunities. This will include implementing a property review process to ensure the right accommodation solutions are provided for service departments managing costs
4. To provide high quality property advice and to devise, publish and manage appropriate Corporate guidance notes/procedure documents as required.
5. To act as the key property point of contact for all Council Departments and to provide advice and commentary (as a mandatory consultee) on all Council Key Decisions, briefings and reports so that property implications can be properly understood by the Leadership Team and associated arrangements made as necessary.
6. To work with service departments and external partners to provide occupier solutions based on agreed service plans, and sound business cases and option appraisals.
7. To promote, develop and sustain good practice in asset management within the organisation and with Council partners, including Westminster City Council, PCT, Police and the voluntary and community sector who use our buildings.
8. Negotiate on all rent reviews, lease renewals, new lettings and licences as required, including 3rd party determination processes and take appropriate action to minimise rent arrears to meet and exceed KPI’s. Single negotiations can often involve seven figure sums of money.
9. Assist in the maintenance of the computerised land terrier and diary systems. To assist in the maintenance of all property records. This includes agreeing work budgets, project managing the works and authorising large payments.
10. Ensure property performance data and information is collected on a regular basis to help report on the performance of the portfolio and to develop individual property level asset management plans as required
11. Ensure government policies, guidelines including new initiatives covering sustainability and carbon zero are identified and applied to the use of council property resources along with effective monitoring processes.
12. To review and audit all existing property arrangements (particularly outsourced services) across all portfolios with a view to making recommendations to changes of policy, practice or procedure which will allow the Council to mitigate against any associated financial, management or compliance risks.
13. To identify and appraise innovation projects and programmes within the operational estate and to ensure that the Council leads the rest of the public sector in this respect.
14. To write cabinet reports, departmental contract board reports, contract review board reports, briefing notes, external enquiries, committee reports, as required.
15. To maintain a professional knowledge in all aspects of land and property and in particular keep abreast of all current legislation affecting land and property and local authorities. Act as Expert Witness to the Council in any property related Court hearing or Arbitration case as required.  Answer enquiries from Members and the public as required, within the appropriate timescales. This includes the management of 7 staff and external consultants.
16. To ensure all aspects of regulatory compliance and probity are adhered to in regard to the Council’s codes (e.g. Procurement Code) and external requirements such as OJEU procedures.
17. All staff are expected to carry out their job in compliance with the Council’s Constitution. This means being familiar with the policies and procedures relevant to the job and asking for information and advice if you are unsure of the correct course of action. The Council’s Constitution is published on the Internet.
18. The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job profile are indicative of the role, however they are not exhaustive and may be subject to change. In addition, you will be required to undertake other reasonable duties as directed by your manager.

Payrate: £695.25 umbrella