Portfolio Lead HS2 and Major Projects

Ref DfT0006 Location Birmingham, Leeds or London Department Group Property Team Closing date for applications  22 February 2021    

Grade: 6
Salary: £60,135 - £67,939 (National) £65,439 - £72,356 (London)
Hours of work: 37 hours per week, permanent contract
Leave entitlement: 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays

What you’ll be doing

This client-side role is an exciting opportunity to connect with many senior stakeholders as you provide professional property advice on critical large infrastructure schemes. Joining our Group Property team as Portfolio Lead, you’ll represent the Department's property interests on a variety of major projects - from advising on land acquisition programmes (HS2 Ltd £3.6bn to date) to advocating best practice in land assembly and wider regeneration opportunities, such as Euston station redevelopment.

You will develop successful client relationships with delivery partners, working closely with senior members of the HS2 Ltd Land & Property team and with DfT High Speed Rail directors. You will also support the wider Advisory team’s work on property management across the Department, both transactions and policy development.

Your Responsibilities will include:

• Understand and build effective client relationships with major project delivery bodies, such as HS2 Ltd and East West Rail Company, and ensure the delivery of expected client service levels

• Develop positive working relationships with the Department’s Independent Land Advisor, DfT infrastructure sponsor teams and Legal and Finance colleagues

• Act as a subject matter expert in all areas of compulsory purchase, including scheme promotion; safeguarding; Statutory Blight; land acquisition strategy and claim settlement and resolving any issues that arise out of the Hybrid bill process

• Support and advise Ministers when needed and respond to Parliamentary Questions including those arising under the bill process or consent orders

• Undertake other professional property assignments as required to include creation of robust business cases, quantifying value creation and other commercial benefits appropriately tailored to governmental objectives

About you

You’ll be currently working as a property professional in a private or public-sector organisation linked to property, infrastructure or housing in the shadow of compulsory powers. You can demonstrate experience leading on projects and establishing good relationships with key business heads and senior stakeholders. You are a property professional (holding RICS membership and a relevant degree or equivalent experience) able to manage a changing portfolio of projects and priorities.

You have the ability to deliver to tight deadlines, manage teams, prioritise work and adapt your working style to meet the different needs of each client or transaction.

You are an effective communicator and negotiator, able to influence others by articulating reasons to gain agreement. You think ahead to identify problems and find solutions, giving direction and communicating confidently. You can inspire others to work towards a long-term goal and recognise wider strategic implications.

Things to know

Due to Covid-19 we are currently predominantly working from home but do offer our people the facility to work from our Covid secure offices where necessary. Once things return to normal we will be continuing to offer flexible working, combining office and home working and site visits as necessary.

About DfT

The Department for Transport (DfT) and its arm's length bodies such as Network Rail, Highways England and HS2 are leading investment, innovation and change in delivering a modern, technologically advanced transport system across the UK. Our investment in infrastructure and connectivity unlocks growth, jobs, skills and opportunity across the UK. Our transport networks deliver goods to our shops, get people to work and reunite us with our loved ones. We need forward-thinking, flexible team players to help design, develop and shape the decisions that will make the UK a country that works for everyone.

Additional information

We are committed to an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve.

For further information please use the links below:

• Download the full job description (Link opens in a new window)
• Download the candidate pack (Link opens in a new window)

If you have any queries regarding the roles or the recruitment process then please contact us via, email CandidateEnquiries@capitaras.co.uk.