Business Function: Properties & Visitor Services

Job Description April 2017

Business Function: Properties & Visitor Role: Estate Surveyor Services Pay Band/Starting Salary: Band F : £32,784 Reports to: National Estates Manager Essential Business Car User Allowance Location : Hermiston Quay, Type of Contract: Permanent / full-time Edinburgh Terms and conditions The post is subject to the Trust’s standard terms and conditions.

Purpose of the role:

The role is to provide professional Estate Surveying and Estate Management support, property consultancy and advice primarily to the General Managers, but at times to other staff, in the management of the NTS Estate, ensuring at all times that this is undertaken in accordance with Trust practice and policy to achieve best value for the NTS. Furthermore, to analyse and present opportunities in the property portfolio for best use, value and benefit to the Trust and the wider Estate, and to manage and maintain current property records and database.

Key Responsibilities:

 Work with the National Estate Manager to provide a level of professional service to the NTS with regards to property and the Estate and ensure high levels of efficiency and professionalism within the team.  Ensure all activities carried out across the management of the NTS Estate and the ongoing portfolio review are undertaken in line with all the Trust’s policies, principles and procedures with consistency of approach across all activities.  Assess, prepare and present proposals to the National Estate Manager for changes in status or disposal of properties.  Deliver value for money for the Trust throughout all activities relating to the Estate and the portfolio review.  With the National Estate Manager set and manage budget and report against budget to the Finance function. In consultation with the NEM and in-house solicitor, take corrective action as and when required.  On behalf of the General Managers and Property Managers, manage all leased, agricultural and crofting land and woodland, including rent reviews, changes of tenancy, all landlord and tenant, access, and neighbour issues.  Assist the General Managers and NEM, as is reasonably required, with the management of properties which do not have a property manager in post (unmanned properties).  On behalf of the General Managers and Property Managers, manage all tenancy agreements, both commercial and residential, working with Building Surveyors to meet Statutory compliance requirements and deliver good practice in tenant and property management.  Responsibility for managing wayleaves, servitudes, access and rights of way.

1  Responsibility for reviewing ongoing insurance claims, valuations and limiting future liability in conjunction with the Insurance Manager and other staff and to work and report within the Trust’s insurance system.  Undertake representation on behalf of the Trust on planning and legal issues.  To help and assist, where feasible, in the licensing of firearms and provide advice on firearm issues.  Liaise with Group H&S Coordinators to ensure that all Health, Safety and Environment issues within the specified area of the Estate are met.  To liaise with the NTS SRDP department in the identification of grants and funding opportunities, and to assist, as required, in the process of application and management thereafter.  Management of all Conservation Agreements within their specific area, including reporting to the Conservation Agreement Scrutiny Panel where required.  Liaise with Conservation Services Function and other project staff over countryside management and nature conservation issues.  Ensure local relationships with stakeholders (Councils, SNH, HIE, VisitScotland, neighbouring proprietors, etc.) are managed effectively at all levels.  To work with all parties to ensure that the national property database is maintained and updated, ensuring the accuracy and maintenance of records for the specified area.  Liaise with and draw support from the National Estate Manager as head of service. The NEM will represent the Trust on external bodies e.g. RICS, and provide a professional knowledge database.  To represent the Trust in a positive manner, meet targets, manage time, build relationships and be professional and timeous in all dealings with internal and external parties.

Scope of Role:

Technical  The NTS is the 3rd largest landowner in Scotland and holds a diverse and challenging portfolio. The post holder is required to be conversant in legislation regarding crofting, residential tenancy, commercial leasing, project management, historic buildings, agriculture and numerous other facets of estate management. Support will be given by the National Estate Manager and NTS legal team but the post holder will be required to demonstrate the ability to deliver and enact solutions to the many and varied day to day issues.

People Management  No direct line management, but the post-holder will liaise closely with colleagues and volunteers across the organisation, but in particular with the General Managers and Property Managers who have local management responsibility and accountability for the Trust’s property portfolio.  Post-holder will have frequent interaction with external stakeholders, Trust tenants (existing and prospective) as well as local communities.  Participation in (and on occasion leading) multi-disciplinary project teams consisting of in-house staff and external consultants/contractors.

Financial Management  While not a revenue budget holder, the post-holder will be involved in the setting of the annual budget and therefore be responsible for the delivery against budget of specific rental income targets, capital expenditure projects and maintenance activities.

2 They will also have input into repair and maintenance budgets, ensuring projects are completed in time and on budget.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

Essential:

 Sound post-qualifying experience of wide ranging surveying tasks, including historic buildings and rural estates;  Demonstrable experience in asset management;  Ability to liaise with other professionals to instruct and take instruction;  Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including timely responses to internal and external communication;  Highly organised with excellent project planning skills;  Ability to work well remotely and in a team;  Self-sufficient in use of Microsoft Office products;  Current driving licence, valid within the United Kingdom.

Desirable:

 Degree in an appropriate subject.  Chartered Membership of the RICS.  Proficient in computer technology including: GIS and MapInfo/ArcView

The Key Responsibilities, Scope of Job, and Required Skills, Experience & Knowledge reflect the requirements of the job at the time of issue. The Trust reserves the right to amend these with appropriate consultation and/or request the post-holder to undertake any activities that it believes to be reasonable within the broad scope of the job or his/her general abilities.

Applications Interested applicants should forward a completed application form to Human Resources Department (Applications), The National Trust for Scotland, Hermiston Quay, 5 Cultins Road, Edinburgh EH11 4DF, by mail or by email via [email protected], by the closing date of 19 May 2017. Interviews are likely to be held at Hermiston Quay during the May 2017.