Head of Acquisitions and Disposals

This role has a starting salary of £79,260 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week.

We are seeking a Head of Acquisitions and Disposals to lead its Estate Management Team, managing a diverse property portfolio and driving transformation to support community-focused objectives.

The team currently operates from Woodhatch Place in Reigate; however, teams will be expected to operate in a flexible way to meet the needs of our customers and work demands, using agile working methods that allow business to be conducted from multiple locations.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Team

Land and Property lead on all life cycle activities that ensure operational and investment property portfolios are safe, flexible and provide value for money. With its activities supported by both internal and external resources, it enables Surrey County Council to deliver its policies and services to clients, partners and stakeholders for the benefit of the residents of Surrey. Our transformational work is supported by the Asset and Place Strategy 2019-2030 which sets out the Council's approach to the strategic management of its assets.

The role is based in our Estate Management team who manage and deliver professional advisory, valuation and transactional services across our portfolios. In addition to asset and estate management functions, the team is responsible for the delivery of our significant capital receipts and acquisition programmes.

The portfolio is significant and diverse, incorporating over 1,500 assets, valued in excess of £2bn and a Revenue budget of in excess of £35m pa.

About the Role

This strategic role includes:

• Leading the acquisition and disposal functions for our Estates team in Land & Property.
• Responsibility for the delivery of capital receipts in line with the Council's Medium Term Financial Plans.
• Developing, instigating, managing and delivering programmes for the acquisition and disposal of property to meet the organisation's requirements and targets, in accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements and to secure best value in accordance with s123 of the Local Government Act 1972 ("LGA 1972")
• Providing expert advice to assist in the formulation of business plans, including valuation, town planning, and development advice.
• To have a thorough knowledge of local and national public sector laws and governance as it pertains to property.
• To have knowledge of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and relevant local planning implications, including the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and S106 financial contributions.
• Thorough knowledge of the property and development market to apply a commercial approach to all transactions.
• Leading and managing the annual asset audit valuation programme.
• Responsibility for preparing governance reports for Cabinet, Members, Scrutiny committees, Executives and Project Panels concerning property acquisitions and disposals.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• RICS qualification with at least 10 years of relevant experience in a similar field.
• Expertise in estate and asset management within a public authority, including its role in supporting wider services.
• Proven ability to deliver high-value, complex property transactions within budget and on schedule.
• In-depth knowledge of property valuation standards, planning principles, and market trends.
• Awareness of political sensitivities and the challenges faced by local government.
• Strong leadership skills to inspire and develop high-performing teams.
• Experience in developing property strategies that align with service needs and organisational goals.
• Proficiency in property and mapping databases, with a track record of identifying and maximising opportunities for income generation and efficiency.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For an informal discussion please contact Colin Galletly by e-mail at colin.galletly@surreycc.gov.uk.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on Monday 6th January 2025, with interviews to follow.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Our Values

Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.