Estate Surveyor

Job description

About the role

Group Corporate Services brings together the internal support services that help the firm grow, protect its operations and run effectively and efficiently. Within this capability, the Office Services Domain creates safe, efficient and productive working environments, while the Facilities Property team manages the acquisition, disposal, maintenance and improvement of the UK office portfolio.

As an Estate Surveyor in the Estate Management team, you will support the development and practical delivery of the UK property strategy. You will take ownership of a substantial range of lease management activity, advise stakeholders on property matters and coordinate external agents, consultants and legal representatives to achieve effective, value-focused outcomes.

This is a hybrid role based in Reading. You will work flexibly across the Reading office, other UK offices and from home according to business requirements. Travel throughout the UK is required.

Roles and responsibilities

• Work with the Senior Estate Manager to review, develop and implement strategic property solutions across the UK office portfolio.
• Lead and support leasehold negotiations, including lease restructuring, rent reviews and dilapidations, using external experts where appropriate to secure strong commercial outcomes.
• Assess and progress opportunities to dispose of surplus accommodation or acquire new space, providing clear analysis and recommendations.
• Resolve technical, legal and lease-related property matters and prepare concise reports that support informed decisions.
• Select, brief and manage property agents, consultants and legal advisers, challenging advice and costs to deliver quality and value for money.
• Maintain accurate property, lease, market and portfolio information, contribute to monthly reporting and identify opportunities to improve estate performance.
• Support property budgets, monitor expenditure, approve costs within agreed authority and work with Finance colleagues on forecasts, variations and monthly accruals.
• Build trusted relationships across the firm and with external partners, provide a responsive point of contact for estate matters, and give clear direction to junior team members.

Experience and skills needed

• Demonstrable experience of corporate real estate management, including property acquisitions, disposals and lease management.
• Practical knowledge of lease and contract terms, with the ability to interpret clauses and apply them to property matters, including dilapidations.
• Evidence of leading or supporting complex property negotiations and producing clear, commercially focused recommendations.
• Experience of coordinating internal stakeholders and managing external property agents, consultants or legal advisers to achieve agreed outcomes.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate property information, reports, budgets or expenditure forecasts, supported by strong analytical and organisational skills.
• Clear written, verbal and presentation skills, with evidence of facilitating meetings, delivering briefings and building agreement among stakeholders with different priorities.
• Ideally qualified to Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) with post qualification experience in a similar role.