Senior Estates Surveyor

Job Purpose

Internal job title: Senior Estates Surveyor

Advertised Salary: Up to £45,000 + benefits

Contract: maternity leave for a period up 31st March 2026

We are the charity who look after and bring to life 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, because we believe that life is better by water. Every role across the Trust plays its part in transforming our canals and rivers into spaces where local people want to spend time and feel better, bringing wellbeing benefits to millions.

The Canal & River Trust generates significant revenue from our property business to look after the canals and rivers in our care. The Trust secures payments from companies and individuals who use our surplus land and water, who drain into our waterways or who use our land and property.

We now have a fantastic opportunity to join our Investment & Commercial Team as a Senior Estates Surveyor. The Investment & Commercial directorate generates revenue from our property portfolio to enable us to look after the canals and rivers within our care.

Senior Estates Surveyors are responsible for developing existing and new income sources to maximise income opportunities with the aim of growing income above inflation, over the next 10 years. Estate Surveyors provide specialised expertise to assist in the management of the Trust's operational and commercial estate and the various legal and technical matters associated with generating and protecting income and providing specialist estates support to the wider business.

Estate Surveyors’ primary focus is on income growth and security, whilst contributing towards the Trust's wider strategies, making effective use of systems and data to deliver efficiencies and enhanced levels of customer service.

Location & coverage

Offered on a remote working basis, with a requirement to attend our main hub spaces as and when required for team working and collaborative meetings. Travel throughout the waterway network will also be expected to enable site visits and face-to-face meetings. The regularity & flexibility of travel will be discussed further at interview stage.

Relevant regional hubs include: Leeds, Ellesmere Port, Burnley, Birmingham, Gloucester, Milton Keynes, London.

Regular accessibility to this network is essential. See our network: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network

Knowledge, Skills/Qualifications & Experience

You will regularly instigate, promote and undertake activities and transactions, primarily disposals that drive the financial performance of the Property Directorate and play a key role in achieving, and where possible exceeding, the financial targets set. You will also provide specialist estates and property support to the Trust’s wider business to ensure our key infrastructure and operational projects are successfully delivered.

Additionally, you will manage the income and expenditure of department budgets for a given area, which will include instructing external and internal advisors to act upon the Trust's behalf.

The Senior Surveyor's role is to:

• Negotiate and complete a caseload of complex property disposals that are surplus to the Trust’s requirements.

Key accountabilities:

• To work with and consult internal and external partners to achieve best value for the Trust.
• Maintain a knowledge of the relevant Law and Regulatory legislation to spot new areas of business into which the Trust may profitably venture. Ensure the Trust is protected using the relevant statutory protective provisions available to the Trust.
• Ensure compliance with the Trust's mandatory standards and policies.
• Display the Trust values and behaviours at all times.
• Ensure that diversity and inclusion are integrated into all aspects of Trust life and promote inclusion by challenging behaviour, practices, actions, or decisions that are counter to the objectives of the Trust’s policies and values.

About you

Technical:

• Educated to degree level in a relevant subject or equivalent.
• Membership of relevant professional body at an appropriate level e.g. RICS essential.
• Demonstrable experience and knowledge within Property Law, including Landlord and Tenant law, compulsory purchase.
• Experience and knowledge of relevant areas of Law including Landlord & Tenant Act, Law of Property Acts.
• Experience of dealing with disputes and court proceedings including preparation of witness statements and court papers.
• Experience of GIS or mapping systems.
• Experience of working within the property field.
• Familiarity with the law relating to property, land and environment (particularly statutory powers).
• Ability to manage complex, multifaceted disputes.

General:

• Excellent prioritising and time management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and to a deadline.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills at all organisational levels.
• Friendly approachable confident manner.
• Strong negotiating, influencing, diplomatic and project management skills.
• Proficient in the use of a personal computer and business applications software e.g. MS Office.
• Valid driving licence appropriate for vehicle to be driven – essential as driving is integral to the role.

To Apply: click on the "Apply for this job" button and follow the process - complete the application form & upload current CV.

If you have any questions about the role please contact CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk

What We Offer

In addition to your salary of up to £45,000, you will benefit from a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, great holiday entitlement and numerous other employee benefits, including several salary sacrifice benefits, all of which can be found here.

Other benefits include:

• 25 days paid holiday, plus paid Bank Holidays, increasing to 27 days plus Bank Holidays after 3 years.
• Home working status with ‘hub’ facilities available if a need to work outside of home – flexibility. Monday to Friday working, limited weekend working.
• Annual £200 personal learning & growth award to spend on any learning related activity – hobbies; aspirations etc.
• Free access to specialist counselling on a range of issues – health; financial; lifestyle; well-being; domestic & neighbourly matters.
• Access to a range of employee benefits including – store discounts; boating holiday discounts; holiday purchase scheme.
• 2 days paid volunteering leave, volunteering for local community project work.

At the Trust we care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We strongly believe that a diverse workforce brings with it a diversity of ideas, thinking and ways of working which enhances what we do as a Trust. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.

All candidates will be treated on the basis of their merits, skills and abilities and solely by being assessed against the requirements for the job.

When you join the Canal & River Trust you become a member of an engaged team working to preserve our heritage for future generations. Come and share your passion and knowledge with a team that makes a difference to millions of people every day.

Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us