What's involved with this role:
Job Title: Rural Surveyor
Ref: Dorset 121203
Pay rate: £382.37 per day PAYE
Role length: Anticipated 7 months
Additional requirements: Driving Licence
DBS requirement: Basic DBS
The role:
Reporting to the Estates Service Manager, the Rural Surveyor will be responsible and accountable for the portfolio and asset management of the Council’s rural estate and significant land sites. This will include delivering work within the Council’s delegated authority scheme, departmental structures, and governance processes.
You will provide professional strategic advice to Council Members, senior officers, and services to ensure the rural estate is effectively managed, achieving best value and outcomes in line with defined portfolio objectives. The role will also support the Service Manager in the delivery of plans to outsource certain aspects of property and lease management of the rural estate.
You will be a RICS-qualified professional with extensive experience managing large rural property portfolios, skilled in environmental compliance, estate legislation, landlord-tenant law, and budget management, with strong commercial acumen, ICT proficiency, and a proven ability to build influential relationships in complex environments.
Key responsibilities:
Act as the Council’s representative for proactive tenant liaison and rural estate matters
Manage external providers’ workload output, casework, fees, and reporting
Implement, monitor, and report on performance against objectives and KPIs
Identify and manage compliance and other risks, contributing to remedial actions as required
Undertake site inspections and report findings
Provide effective budget management, ensuring monthly monitoring and reporting are up to date
Work with Finance and the Service Manager to mitigate potential risks and overspend
Advise on cost-saving measures and identify opportunities for revenue generation and capital receipts
Provide timely, professional advice to Councillors, senior officers, and services
Respond professionally to external queries and stakeholder requests
What the client is looking for:
Degree and RICS qualified
Demonstrable experience managing a large agricultural or rural property portfolio
Strong understanding of environmental compliance, acquisition, disposal, and estate management legislation
Excellent knowledge of landlord and tenant law, RICS guidance notes, and best practice
Proven ability to build relationships and influence in complex, politically sensitive environments
Experience managing budgets, external consultants, and service providers
Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify new revenue opportunities
Excellent ICT skills, including Microsoft Office and specialist property management systems
How to Apply:
Quote the Job Title and Reference Number in your application.
Submit your CV in Word format.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis—early submission is recommended.
We will also add your details to our mail out lists. Please note you may receive details of roles outside of your immediate vicinity, as many candidates are able to relocate temporarily for work. Please disregard any such emails that are not of interest and let us know if you would rather not receive such mailouts and/or if you wish us to delete your details and prefer to apply direct to our advertised roles.
If you do not hear from us within three working days, unfortunately your application has not been shortlisted on this occasion. Thank you for your interest in working with us.
Please quote the Job Title & Vacancy Reference No. in your application, or we will be unable to match your CV to the role being applied for.
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Job Ref: Dorset 121203
Anticipated Length of Assignment: Unless otherwise stated (we do carry the occasional permanent vacancy) all of our roles are technically temporary, though opening assignments can be and often are, extended by clients on a longer term basis and can sometimes become permanent.
Please do try to resist contacting us with requests for progress updates.
We really do read every CV sent to us. All applications will be acknowledged by a human, not a robot, provided the job remains live and provided your CV meets the “Essential Requirements” listed.
Please note that we do our level best to take down ads as soon as roles have been filled. We are not in the business of harvesting CVs.
Important: We will interpret your application as being permission to submit your CV to this role (with the right to represent you) unless you advise us to the contrary.