Senior Rural Surveyor

Do you want a role where you know you are making a difference using your professional
expertise? RSPB offers RICS members the chance to do what they do best to protect and enhance
the varied estate. From access rights to BNG sales and listed buildings to significant
multimillion pound acquisitions, you’ll be involved. This position is home-based within
Norfolk or Suffolk, supporting work within our Central and Eastern Area.

We are seeking an experienced and self-motivated Senior Rural Surveyor to join the RSPB’s
England Land Team to be based in the Southeast of England. The successful applicant will join
an England wide team of 11 Rural Surveyors. You will have a specific portfolio of properties in
the region to manage and will support the wider delivery of the departmental casework as
required across the Country. The location of the role is flexible within this area. Key
activities include:

Land and Property Management:

Carrying out due diligence to identify, mitigate and manage the legal, reputational and
financial aspects of rural property over land, buildings, offices and business premises
including rent reviews, repairing obligations, landlord consents, land management contracts.
Advising on agricultural matters and farming systems, agri-environment agreement work, granting
leases and licences e.g. sporting, fishing, grazing, negotiating wayleaves and easements. 

Reserve acquisition and disposal work:

Appraising, negotiating and concluding acquisitions to establish new reserves, extend existing
reserves, and acquire property e.g. offices, workshops, farm buildings and residential
properties by purchase, lease or management agreement and include land and building valuations.
Appraising, advising and delivering disposals of land, houses, offices and properties that are
surplus to operational need. Exploring and negotiating ecosystem service sales, eg Biodiversity
Net Gain and Carbon Credits.

Risk management and project support:

Supporting the implementation of systems to manage the RSPB’s exposure to legal, reputational
and financial risk arising from its land and property operations. Undertaking audits to ensure
compliance with agri-enviro grant schemes. Providing professional support and assisting in the
production of internal codes of practice and guidance.

Team working:

The team work together with a strong team ethos, enthusiasm and dedication, share professional
expertise, knowledge, and information at regular Team meetings. You will work alongside the
building surveyors as well as supporting the Area Managers and their teams. You will be
encouraged to be out of the office, providing professional advice to staff, to minimise risk
and optimise financial returns for the RSPB nature reserves. You will demonstrate initiative,
motivation, and flair to spot income opportunities.

Line management:

You will be a direct line manager for Rural Surveyors, working with them on complex cases,
supporting their learning and career progression.

Essential qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Chartered member of RICS (Rural) or another equivalent professional organisation. RSPB will
  support you in maintaining your RICS qualification and provide support to meet CPD
  requirements.
• Significant demonstrable post qualification knowledge and experience of estate management,
  land and property acquisition and disposal work in the rural environment.
• Knowledge and experience of line management and leadership skills. Experience of ensuring
  professional development, performance management and pastoral care.
• Appropriate mentoring skills and guidance to staff
• An up to date understanding of agricultural markets and income opportunities.
• Significant experience of country specific legislation relating to rural property.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of project management principles and their
  application.
• Ability to lead multifunctional project teams
• Excellent communication skills both verbally, and in writing, in respect complex estate
  management issues to all levels within RSPB and to external audiences.
• Ability to make quick, pragmatic, and practical decisions/recommendations based on sound
  analysis and reason.
• Ability to positively influence wider audiences and demonstrate credibility both internally
  and externally.
• Excellent negotiation skills to deal effectively with complex casework and achieve the
  required corporate outcomes. 
• An awareness of the requirements of the Charities’ Act.
• Ability to manage and prioritise high volume competing objectives, work alone and as part
  of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Significant demonstrable interest in farming, rural and conservation interests.
• Ability to travel widely including by car and public transport. This role will require
  occasional overnight stays away from home 

This is a full-time, permanent position. Dates for interview will be confirmed at a later date.
For further information please contact – [email protected]

As part of this application process, you will be asked to complete an application form
including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

The RSPB is committed to training and development and will support appropriate CPD and
cover annual membership fees for one professional body e.g. RICS or CAAV.

People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the
environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of
colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact
us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act 1974.

Please note that we are actively recruiting for this vacancy, and reserve the right to close
once sufficient applications have been received.