Are you driven and ambitious to help move us toward our transformation change?  

Do you have excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively across all channels and levels, including external stakeholders? 

Are you a self-starter with a confident demeanour and a can-do approach to work?  

If yes, we have an exciting opportunity to join our Property and Estates Service.  

About you

You will have substantial experience in managing professional staff and you will be an experienced and enthusiastic professional leader, with demonstrable experience in commercial property management and landlord and tenant matters. You will be a Professional Member of the RICS or have an equivalent qualification in a relevant professional background and can demonstrate relevant work experience at an equivalent level. You will have the ability to work well under pressure, often having to prioritise competing demands.  

About the Team

You will line manage 3 employees, who in turn manage a further 13 employees. The Property & Estates team are friendly, multi-disciplinary, and skilled in estates and valuation, project management, asset and property management, and civic buildings & facilities management. We work closely across the whole organisation, being responsible for Council buildings, together with commercial and investment property interests.  

About the role

This Service Manager position reports directly to the Council’s Section 151 Officer and is key to the success in the delivery of the Council's corporate objectives. 

You will apply professional knowledge and experience and provide advice to the Council on a whole range of property and facilities matters. You will lead on the development of a new asset and accommodation strategy, and see through actions to improve the efficiency and utilisation of a variety of Council owned assets.

An estates led project to develop a new operational depot facility is well underway, an office refurbishment project is about to commence and an exciting opportunity to shape a potential significant re-development within Lymington exists over the next couple of years.

The Council’s external borrowing is currently limited to that required under the Housing Revenue Account financing resettlement of 2012, and an additional sum to finance the Housing Revenue Account acquisition and development activity. The Council’s commercial property holding is modest with Investment Property assets (including Assets Under Construction) valued at £39m on the balance sheet as at 31/3/24.

The role will include a position on the board of the Council’s Wholly Owned Group of housing companies, concerned with acquiring and developing market level housing within the District. With just 16 properties acquired to date, there is a real opportunity to help shape the delivery of this strategy to support the rental market over the medium term.

You will play a vital role in the future delivery of the Council’s aspirations to support economic and housing growth within the District through the rationalisation of various property estate assets (under-utilised car parks, for example) and will lead on the development and acquisition of new commercial property (within the confines of the Prudential Code).

As well as the traditional aspects of the Estates and Valuation Service, you will also lead the Facilities Management function, including a small team of surveyors, looking after various property assets located throughout the District.  

About Us

Our offices are located in the picturesque New Forest, with open plan layout, decorated bright and light with office views over our beautiful grounds. We have spaces available away from the office for team meetings in our dedicated meeting rooms, the work café or on one of our picnic benches outside.

We are working on some exciting and pioneering initiatives and projects, including tackling climate change, supporting the Solent Freeport (to unlock significant investment, create thousands of new jobs and level up our important coastal communities), promoting regeneration of our Town Centres and an exciting fresh approach to modern and innovate working through our Transformation Programme.  

What’s in it for you?

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (additional 5 weeks’ leave for 5 or more years continuous service)
• £64,369 – £68,395 per annum (up to £ 71,973 per annum for exceptional performance when in post)
• Hybrid Working
• Wide range of employee discounts at high street retailers, including supermarkets, stores and restaurants
• A Cycle to Work scheme which could save you around 40% on cycles and accessories
• Local Government Pension Scheme and AVC provision
• Employee Assistance Programme (free 24 hour legal, financial and personal advice for employees).  

We believe that all our employees make a valuable contribution to the work of the council and that’s why we encourage a trusting and open culture where each employee is supported and respected equally. We also recognise the value of a highly motivated and engaged workforce and we actively promote a good work/life balance.  

To view full details of what you can expect from working for NFDC and to view the full job description, please click on the candidate pack attached.    

Click here to see why employees think that New Forest District Council is a great place to work: Working for NFDC

For further information about working for us and to view the Job Description, please see the attached candidate pack. If after reading this you feel you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Alan Bethune (Strategic Director – Corporate Resources, S151 & Transformation)) on 02380 285001.  

Closing date: 5^th December 2024 midday

Interview Date: 13^th December 2024