Estates Manager and Surveyor

Estates Manager and Surveyor  
£48,459 - £51,010 37.5 hours per week 
Leicester LE3 1UT with agile working 

A UK driving licence is an essential requirement 

The RAF Association has a clear objective: to help sustain a resilient and empowered RAF community, including serving personnel, RAF veterans and their families. Through our sector leading services, we offer friendship to the isolated and lonely, sheltered housing for those who want to remain proudly independent and childcare to serving personnel on RAF stations. We work closely with partner organisations, including other military charities, and have a strong bond with our donors and supporters, giving us the confidence to deliver for our beneficiaries when they need us. 

With thousands of members across the UK and further afield, plus hundreds of dedicated employees and volunteers, we have the network and experience needed for a personal one-to-one approach. We work together to make sure no one is ever left behind. 

About the role 

The Estates Manager role is essential to the Association’s strategy, overseeing the portfolio of properties owned by the Association, and those where it is the appointed trustee or tenant. Our built estate is vital in the provision of our welfare services, through nursery provision, branch community events and accommodation for veterans. This is an exciting time for the Association, as it seeks to consider further development of residential accommodation and opportunities to maximise the use of its built estate to support its charitable goals. 

Acting as the principal source of professional expertise to the Association for all property related matters, you will  advise on the correct application of legislation as it relates to property, including the acquisitions and disposal of properties, managing the Association’s relationships with its landlord and tenants as well as negotiating and drafting lease agreements  where the Association is the beneficial owner of the property.  Additional primary responsibilities include conducting valuations of the Association’s property to conform to RICS Red Book Standards and advise on appropriate levels of rent, potential use of property to maximise rates of return and the best means of marketing properties identified for disposal, in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act. The Estates Manager also ensures that ownership of each property is defined, understood and that title is registered appropriately as well as maintaining an up-to-date property portfolio which includes compliance with statutory requirements, the future strategic plan for each property and the future maintenance plan.  

About You 

You will be a professionally qualified chartered surveyor (RICS) with significant sector experience of leading and managing a property portfolio across a commercial environment with a diverse range of buildings, along with robust knowledge of legislative requirements in relation to building management. As a confident negotiator you will have experience in negotiating property contracts and undertaking and preparing reports on valuation of property to inform transactions, in accordance with s119 of the Charities Act. Excellent interpersonal skills are vital for this role to enable you to be able to create trusted working relationships as well as managing difficult conversations with Clubs and Tenants. Experienced in Identifying opportunities to refine and improve business processes relating to property management, you will also be able to analyse information and prepare business cases, identifying recommendations for approval. We need you to be an influential and enthusiastic manager as you will be leading a small team which includes our Properties and Facilities Officer and our Office Manager at Atlas House (HQ) 

The role is based at our HQ in Leicester with some home working along with the need for regular travel to properties.  

It is highly recommended that you read the full role profile and person specification which is available to download on our website www.rafa.org.uk 

Benefits: 

• Fantastic environment committed to really making a difference. 
• Generous annual leave – 36 days (pro rata for part time workers) including public holidays. 
• 5% employer pension contribution under salary sacrifice (subject to matched employee contribution) 
• Company sick pay (after qualifying period) 
• Life Insurance 
• Free eye tests and a contribution towards glasses. 
• Employee assistance programme – confidential helpline for advice and support. 
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Shower and locker facilities 

To apply 

Please send a cover letter (along with your CV) to tell us about how your experience and skills would align with this role. When you are happy with your CV and cover letter, please send to jobs@rafa.org.uk 

Closing Date 8am Wednesday 21 February 

We reserve the right to close this opportunity early so please do not delay in applying as we’d love to hear from you. The RAF Association is a Disability Confident Employer, please get in touch if you require any assistance with the application process. 

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK as we are unable to enter into sponsorship agreements.