Senior Commercial Surveyor – AR

Job Details

Job Description

Interim Senior Commercial Surveyor (Estates & Disposals)

Role Purpose

To lead the delivery of a significant asset disposals programme while overseeing a mixed commercial property portfolio, ensuring optimal financial return, effective risk management, and alignment with wider regeneration and sustainability objectives.

The postholder will play a key strategic role in shaping and delivering the organisation’s commercial property strategy, working closely with senior officers and elected members to maximise value from land and property assets.

This is a visible leadership role requiring strong commercial judgement, negotiation expertise, and the ability to deliver complex property transactions at pace within a public-sector governance framework.

Key Responsibilities

Asset Disposals & Acquisitions

• Lead and deliver the organisation’s disposals programme / pipeline, ensuring maximum capital receipts
• Identify surplus or underperforming assets suitable for disposal
• Oversee marketing, valuation, negotiation, and completion of property transactions
• Ensure all disposals comply with statutory, governance, and financial regulations
• Manage negotiations with developers, investors, and other third parties to secure best value outcomes

Portfolio Management

• Manage a mixed-use commercial property portfolio, including offices, retail, industrial, and development sites
• Optimise income generation and asset performance across the portfolio
• Mitigate risk associated with vacancies, underperformance, and liabilities
• Oversee lease events including rent reviews, renewals, and re-lettings

Strategic Estates & Development

• Identify and progress commercial, regeneration, and development opportunities
• Undertake options appraisals, viability assessments, and business cases
• Support delivery of regeneration schemes and development partnerships
• Contribute to long-term property and asset strategy

Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead and support the Estates surveying function across disposals and acquisitions
• Deputise for the Head of Property & Development as required
• Provide expert property advice to senior leadership, finance teams, and elected members
• Work collaboratively with internal departments including planning, legal, and finance
• Engage effectively with external partners, consultants, and developers

Financial & Commercial Management

• Maximise financial return from property assets through effective strategy and negotiation
• Produce and review financial appraisals and investment models
• Support budget planning and capital programme delivery
• Ensure robust financial governance in all property decisions

Key Deliverables

• Successful delivery of disposals programme and capital receipts targets
• Improved portfolio performance and reduced asset risk
• High-quality business cases and appraisal reports
• Effective stakeholder management and governance compliance
• Contribution to regeneration and development outcomes

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Proven experience delivering asset disposals programmes in a complex property environment
• Strong background in managing commercial or mixed-use property portfolios
• Experience working within public sector estates / local government (or similar regulated environment)
• Track record of successful negotiation and deal delivery
• Experience producing viability appraisals, options appraisals, and business cases

Skills & Competencies

• Strong commercial acumen and ability to maximise asset value
• Confident negotiator with ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Ability to operate at pace and manage multiple priorities
• Strong analytical and financial appraisal skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Leadership capability and credibility in senior environments

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in:
  • Estate Management
  • Real Estate
  • Property
  • or related discipline
• MRICS (or equivalent professional qualification) essential or highly desirable

Role Context

This is a senior interim position within a public-sector property function, combining commercial property expertise, strategic asset management, and regeneration delivery, with a strong focus on maximising value while supporting wider organisational objectives.