Rural Surveyor

The Rural Surveyor will help nature recover by supporting our nature reserve, facilities and
wider countryside teams deliver land management and projects whilst ensuring that the
charities’ future is secure in regard to its legal and contractual obligations.

You will be working closely with the Land Management and Ecology Director, reserves managers
and other managers across the organisation with site visits to our 85 nature reserves, offices
and visitor centres as required.

Job Purpose

To provide professional support and advice to staff responsible for BBOWT’s land and property
holding to ensure compliance and effective management. Assist the Land Management and Ecology
Director with the management

Reporting Line

The post holder reports to the Land Management and Ecology Director.

Line Management

Interns and volunteers if required. No Line Management initially.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the freehold and leasehold acquisition of reserves and property including
  appraisals, negotiations and requirements under the Charities Act. Divestment of land and
  property no longer required for the charities purpose.
• Lead on due diligence required in relation to BBOWT’s land and built estate including
  compliance with leases, landlord consents and other obligations or contracts.
• Granting of leases, licences (grazing, deer management, access), negotiating wayleaves and
  easements.
• Provide professional support and advice to the Land Management teams in regard to the
  management of the 85 BBOWT Nature Reserves across the three counties. This will require
  travelling to sites to view issues and liaise with staff and external stakeholders.
• Project manage a programme of investment and development including new and redeveloped
  offices, cafes and visitor centres. Provide support and professional advice on complex land
  management conservation projects
• Lead on the negotiation and management of external infrastructure projects affecting
  BBOWT’s land holdings with assistance from external land agency firms.
• Assist the Land Management and Ecology Director with the management, compliance and
  renegotiation with landlords of land leased to BBOWT
• Advise and assist the Head of Commercial Estate with the management of BBOWT’s built estate
  including visitor infrastructure, residential, commercial and agricultural buildings.
• Oversee the creation of an estate terrier system to manage legal documents, rents, leases
  and wayleaves and compliance
• Ensure best practice Health and Safety measures are adopted in all aspects of your work.
• Any other duties as delegated by the Land Management and Ecology Director or Chief
  Executive

Person Specification

• Chartered member of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS Rural) or another
  equivalent professional organisation.
• Extensive post qualification knowledge and experience of estate management, land and
  property acquisition, valuation and disposal work in the rural environment.
• Experience in the commercial rural environment and knowledge of current financial
  opportunities and markets relating to land and property.
• Significant experience of UK legislation relating to rural property.
• In-depth knowledge and experience of project management with the ability to lead
  multifunctional project teams especially in regard to buildings, property and construction.
• Excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing
• Confident in making timely and effective decisions making the best use of the charity’s
  resources
• Excellent negotiation skills
• An awareness of the requirements of the Charities’ Act.
• Ability to manage and prioritise workloads, work alone and as part of a multi-disciplinary
  team.
• Proven ability of managing a varied property portfolio covering all aspects of tenant
  liaison, lease negotiations, rent renewals, maintenance and repair.
• Ability to prepare both annual and project budgets and present analysis of risk and
  liability
• Competent in use of MS Office Word, Outlook and intermediate Excel.
• Proficient in the use of land management terrier systems
• An understanding of GIS
• Ability and willingness to demonstrate the BBOWT behaviours and values
• Current UK valid car driving licence and ability to travel widely across the three counties

Measure of success:

• BBOWT’s landholding and estate legally compliant and efficiently managed
• Projects are effectively managed and achieve best value in the timeframe agreed
• Reserves staff and Head of Commercial Estate are effectively supported in matters relating
  to land and property
• Successful implementation of effective estate terrier system
• Amount of supervision required to achieve the above