Rural Estates Manager

at  Derbyshire County Council

The role initially presents a development opportunity to work alongside two experienced Rural Surveyors who are due to retire in mid- 2025. You will then take on the leadership of the Rural Estates and the Rural Management Department; comprising of a Rural Surveyor, University Rural Placement Student, Woodlands Manager and two estate based Estate Rangers.
As well as continuing to carry out all the normal estate management duties, you will also provide technical support and line management to the above staff. You will ensure that they are customer focused and their work integrated with PDNPA strategic and operational plans.
Guided by our Asset Management Plan you will lead on the development of estate management plans. You will lead on supporting and encouraging our tenants to continue to contribute to our outcomes in the face of reducing financial support and changing policy emphasis. You will manage a number of existing Countryside Stewardship Schemes and explore new opportunities under ELM/Green Finance. Working with our experienced building surveyors and Corporate Property professionals to ensure the effective repair and maintenance of our 200 plus rural buildings, you will also identify capital development projects including new farm buildings.
Lastly, you will have responsibility for the management, setting and monitoring of estate budgets to meet our financial targets and also plan and implement any sales to generate extra capital when required.
The post is based on in the edge of the attractive town of Bakewell, Derbyshire. An onsite estate office is also available to work from on one of our principal estates. The successful candidate will have access to a wide range of benefits and support including; flexible working arrangements that are second to none, a generous holiday entitlement and generous pension scheme alongside a staff development opportunities.
About You
You will be a RICS [CAAV also desirable] qualified Rural Surveyor, ideally with at least 5 years PQE. You will have sound experience of all the normal rural estate management duties and other associated professional work. You should have leadership and line management skills and experience.
A proven interest in managing conservation, recreation and heritage assets is essential. Self-motivated you will have the ability to manage your own workload and ways of working. You must have good organisation, financial management and communication skills. You must also be driven to achieve cross-organisational working and outcomes.
This is a unique opportunity that provides an ambitious individual with a platform to deliver transformation and change during a pivotal point in the rural sector. We are seeking an enthusiastic, confident and dynamic person to take forward the future of the Peak District National Parks rural assets portfolio.
About Us
The Peak District National Park was the first of Britain’s 15 national parks and is enjoyed by millions, looking for both adventure and a breathing space to escape. It is also the most accessible due its proximity to four major cities of the UK and its 38,000 residents. We recognise the importance of our national park and our job is to speak up and care for the Peak District National Park for all to enjoy forever.
The Authority owns or manages approximately 450 built assets including operational properties, visitor facilities, agricultural properties, listed buildings, ex railway structures and office accommodation. The Authority owns or leases about 6,070 hectares (15,000 acres) of property within the National Park. This is around 5% of the whole National Park area. The properties are comprised of a very diverse mixture, ranging from traditional tenanted agricultural land and woodland to sites owned and managed due to their cultural value. The Rural Estate Manager is responsible for the day to day management and ongoing development of all of our land based estates.