Context
About the role
Under the supervision of the Estates Manager to be involved in all aspects of the valuation and estates work of the council including acquisitions, disposals, management, rating and compensation matters. To provide a cost effective professional valuation and property management service to the council taking into account the council's policies and legislation and particularly the duty to demonstrate best value on all property transactions
The role holder will assist the valuation and asset management team deliver a range of services and performing a range of functions.
Physical Effort and Working Environment (other than in a normal office environment)
Occasional site visits
About the team
The Property & Development team manage the council's portfolio of corporate and investment assets. The team have substantial surveying expertise in all areas. The work undertaken is very diverse and has three separate functions. The first manages the corporate estate ensuring services have the right facilities from which to provide the service from, the second is the investment management arm who are focused on delivering revenue to support the councils' keys services and finally the innovative development and regeneration arm who focus on delivering regeneration opportunities and maximising opportunities from the existing portfolio while seeking new opportunities.
About the wider section/function
. Property & Business Support Services sits within the Resource and Business Change Department. The Division is responsible for the strategic and day to day management of the corporately owned estate, which is the Council's most valuable assets, worth approximately £600m (book value). This includes health and safety and climate initiatives. It is also responsible for acquiring assets and utilising council land and property to generate an increased commercial return and using investments to support its place shaping aspirations within the council. Property & Business Support Services is also responsible for delivery of the capital programme and reporting on delivery.
Problem solving and decision making examples
The post holder will deal with a range of cases and will be expected to seek solutions to problems encountered and, where necessary, discuss proposed solutions with the Asset Manager prior to implementation. All property transactions and valuation reports will need to be supported with concise and reliable information to evidence the values arrived at. Negotiations can be complex and a range of decisions will be required leading up to obtaining authority for each transaction
Role Purpose
To provide technical expert advice and support, working with a range of internal, external customers and partners as part of a specialist team. Ensure that the Council's statutory duties and policies are implemented and enforced and/or provide specialist technical input to Council policy making.
Key Responsibilities
Provide specialist advice to customers on interpreting and applying policies and technical principles ensuring that effective customer relationships are established and maintained by giving clear and accurate advice quickly, making sure that the Council is aware of any implications, risks and benefits and that policy proposals are developed. If relevant, provide expert witness evidence.
Ensure and enforce compliance with department and Council policies, regulations and codes of practice.
Prepare and present reports as required on a range of technical issues ensuring that they meet Council guidelines, are completed on time and the Council's position is advocated.
If relevant: assist in the supervision and development of a team. Co-ordinate, allocate and check the work of teams, ensuring that performance objectives are achieved and team work is effective
Give technical guidance and training to team members and other colleagues and partners as required.
Develop solutions and put forward recommendations to resolve to issues, ensure that they are successfully implemented and that service regulations and codes of practice are adhered to.
Input into service plans procedures and systems of work and propose changes to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the service.
If relevant: plan and monitor spending from technical budgets
Be the Council's expert witness as and when required
Contacts and Relationships
To collaborate with team members on service provision providing support and advice as necessary.
You will work with internal and external contacts, customers, colleagues and teams to explain technical policies and standards and the need for compliance with them.
You will also present the Council's case to customers and contacts; negotiating and persuading to agree satisfactory outcomes