About the job

Job summary

We recognise the challenges that people with protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.

Are you enthusiastic about working with a diverse range of stakeholders and would like to work some of our key stakeholders such as HS2, Network Rail, LCR and National Highways?

Do you have experience of property management and asset management?

If so, then we would love for you to apply!

Job description

This role sits in our Property Portfolio and Advisory team which is responsible for the Secretary of State’s non-operational property interests - assets acquired for construction of major new infrastructure projects; retained transport infrastructure and property; and the management, development and disposal of legacy assets - and it provides property related advice to Ministers and senior stakeholders, giving direction and assurance on all real estate issues, translating transport and infrastructure business strategies into land and property related consequences.

As a Principal Surveyor you will represent the Department's property interests on a small but complex portfolio of assets. You will be responsible for the effective management of this portfolio as well as providing estate management and strategic asset management advice on other assets and projects across the Property Portfolio and Advisory team and the wider Department. You will work across a variety of projects across the UK. You will be engaging on and working on a wide range of stakeholders and you will have direct line management of one surveyor (either permanent or seconded to the Department) and matrix management of others by project assignment.

Responsibilities

Key accountabilities of the role include:

Property Management 

Undertake accurately monthly budgeting, forecasting and financial management in respect of the Department’s property portfolio requiring regular liaison with stakeholders including our Finance Business Partners.

Effectively managing a small but complex portfolio of assets to minimise risks and ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, professional, and contractual requirements.

Carry out property management tasks including lease negotiations, lease renewals and consents required.

Negotiating and delivering commercial arrangements to meet the Department’s needs.

Asset Management

Identifying and executing value add opportunities and asset management initiatives across the assets.

Maximise value, reduce costs, enhance long term value and increase returns, with a focus on both financial performance and social and economic benefits.

Strategic asset management including negotiating complex lease structures and having regard to the long term objectives and responsibilities of the Secretary of State.

Advisory

Supporting across the team to advise on land ownership structures.

Act as an “intelligent client” to our supply chain and property managers on all property management issues.

Working with Senior colleagues in developing and delivering the Department’s property strategy in line with wider Government policy.

Managing and advising on cross Group Property projects and providing assurances that Departmental objectives are met and represent best value.

Customer focused with senior colleagues, policy makers, stakeholders

For an in-depth insight into the role please refer to the Role Profile.

Person specification

You will use strategic property expertise including estate management, landlord and tenant and asset management experience to deliver in a fast paced environment. You will have strong stakeholder management and analytical skills and an innovative and ‘can do’ approach to solving problems. You will have the understanding of and compliance with Statutory, Regulatory and Professional requirements and will use this to make effective decisions and delivering advice to senior leaders and stakeholders. You have excellent communications skills including the ability to present findings, tailoring your communication when required to maximise impact and understanding.

There is a requirement, as part of this role, to be a member of RICS or have equivalent professional qualifications.

Additional Information

A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace, although requirements to attend other locations for official business, or carry out detached duty in another DfT workplace, will also count towards this level of attendance. 

Occasional travel to other DfT offices will be required.

Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance. 

Find out more about what it's like working at the Department for Transport

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

How to apply

When considering applying please look at how your experience relates to the role, and within your CV and Personal Statement please provide detailed evidence of your experience of the following:

• Experience of property management and asset management working in a professional property team; leading on projects and delivering advice to clients
• Experience of maintaining effective relationships at all levels to understand stakeholders’ needs and priorities
• Experience of working with senior leaders to plan, advise and support delivery of property projects
• Managing expectations, making quick and well-judged decisions based on a sound understanding of client requirements and the business context

Your personal statement will be limited to a maximum of 1000 words.

The sift is due to take place from 29th May. 

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held w/c 17th June.

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:

• An interview and a presentation

This interview could be conducted online via Teams or face to face at one of our offices. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile and the Government Property Career Framework, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website.

Please see attached candidate notes for further information about our recruitment process.

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.