Job overview
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Head of Property to lead the property and asset management of NHS and commercial estates owned and leased by the Trust. Berkshire Healthcare provides vital community and mental health services across the county, and in this role, you will play a key part in ensuring our estate supports high-quality patient care.
You will oversee and be responsible for a broad range of property duties, including landlord and tenant negotiations such as rent reviews and lease renewals, managing property acquisitions and disposals, supporting budget processes, and administering service charges. You will also manage the granting of licences and leases to third-party occupiers. Alongside day-to-day property management, you will supervise annual portfolio valuations and coordinate rating appeals with external advisors.
You will support the delivery of the Trust’s estate strategy and will require strong communication and negotiation skills to effectively engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including healthcare occupiers, property owners, and other NHS partners.
We are looking for a qualified Chartered Surveyor with significant post-qualification experience in property and asset management. Previous NHS experience is not essential however experience managing properties in a similarly complex environment would be desirable.
Join us and play a key role in shaping the future of our estate!
Main duties of the job
Provide strategic and operational advice on property and asset management, acquisitions, disposals, and valuations for the BHFT estate. Support cost control by identifying estate efficiency opportunities. Deliver a comprehensive property management service, including lettings income (£, rent reviews, lease/licence renewals, dilapidations, and insurance. Appoint/manage external agents and control professional fees. Manage annual portfolio valuation in line with RICS “Red Book” and liaise with Finance on IFRS16 impacts and capitalisation. Support annual property budget setting, ensuring targets are met.
Lead on business cases aligned with NHS guidance. Maintain relationships with NHS PS, ICBs, NHSE, CSU, LAs, and District Valuer. Provide commercial advice on value for money and strategic asset planning. Ensure accurate property data to support decisions and NHS reporting, including ERIC returns. Negotiate heads of terms for transactions (leases, licences, disposals, MOTO, wayleaves, easements) and liaise with solicitors to completion.
Maintain systems for tracking agreements. Support 6-facet surveys and ensure data accuracy on MICAD and site reports. Apply project management to ensure compliance and delivery of outcomes. Line manage the Property Team, ensuring recruitment, performance, training, and motivation. Represent BHFT at meetings and deputise for the Director of Estates & Facilities. Ensure adherence to and development of BHFT policies and procedures.
Working for our organisation
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
1. Caring for and about you is our top priority
2. Committed to providing good quality, safe services
3. Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
4. Flexible working options to support work-life balance
5. 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
6. Generous NHS pension scheme
7. Excellent learning and career development opportunities
8. ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
9. Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
10. Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
11. Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
12. Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
13. Free parking across Trust sites
*Applications for this role will be considered on a first come first serve basis and we may close the vacancy early if the right candidate is found.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The “must haves” for this role:
- Degree Level in Surveying or equivalent
- Post graduate level knowledge / experience in property asset management
- Professional qualification (Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors)
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We have identified that this is a role where we have underrepresentation of ethnically diverse colleagues. As part of our commitment to inclusion and Unity Against Racism we offer guaranteed interviews to candidates who meet the essential criteria and identify as: Asian or Asian British, Black or Black British, Mixed and ‘Other’ Ethnic Groups.