Role Overview

The role of the Rural Director/Associate Director based in the York office is a strategic investment by the Savills business. The predominate part of the role will be to manage and oversee Savills delivery of day to day estate management and value added projects in relation to The Crown Estate’s Northern portfolio with a view to deriving both additional revenue and capital growth as well as supporting The Crown Estate’s sustainability ambitions. The Northern portfolio includes estates in Northumberland, Cheshire, Shropshire and Wales.

Responsible to: Savills Lead Director for The Crown Estate contract with direct reports involved in this contract being Associate Land Agent, Graduate, Estates Administrator.

The role will involve the development and progression of the Rural Estate Management team based in York who deliver a diverse range of work for a variety of landowners predominately in Yorkshire and County Durham but also stretching further afield as well.

Key Responsibilities

Estate Management

• Overseeing the management of The Crown Estate’s portfolio of rural, commercial and residential property.
• Negotiating terms for new leases, lease renewals and rent reviews.
• Overseeing property re-lettings.
• Oversight of compliance with Health & Safety and other property regulations.
• Develop budget proposals for income, expenditure and any capital projects for the forthcoming financial year.
• Ensure that income and expenditure is managed in accordance with agreed budgets.
• Oversee quarterly reforecasting of revenue and capital budgets.
• Preparation of quarterly reports and attendance at quarterly client meetings.
• Maintain suitable records for The Crown Estate’s property portfolio.

Project identification and delivery

• Identifying and promoting opportunities to derive additional revenue and capital from the estates.
• Preparing detailed investment approval proformas, to include simple discounted cash flows, to inform client decision making.
• Obtaining all necessary consents for the project, including planning consent, Listed Building Consent and environmental consents for the project. Selection of consultants, project oversight and financial control through the planning phase.
• Working with approved building surveyors, procurement of building contractors and contract negotiation.
• Project management, including financial control, of all capital projects from inception to completion.
• Develop 5 year forecasts for capital projects.
• Support the delivery of up to date project trackers.  

Key Skills

• Proven track record in directly managing a diverse property portfolio.
• Proven experience of procurement, contract negotiation and project management of large-scale capital projects from inception to completion.
• Strong organisational and planning skills and an ability to work on own initiative and to plan and prioritise workload.
• Approachable and engaging manner and good diplomatic communication skills and the ability to get the best out of those with whom they work.
• Ability to work closely with colleagues to develop strategies and balance resources.
• An interest in rural affairs and an appreciation of the political and public expectations of land and estates.
• Strategic thinker and with the ability to look beyond the current business model.
• Good numerical skills with experience of setting and overseeing budgets.
• An affinity with the ethos of The Crown Estate
• Chartered membership of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
• Knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and good practice.
• IT skills.

Find out more about Savills offer

Recruitment agencies

Savills only pay agency fees where we have a signed agreement in place and that agency has been previously contacted and directed by a member of our recruitment team. We do not pay agency fees when speculative and unsolicited CVs are submitted to Savills or any of our employees other than via our careers website and through our recruitment process. If this is not adhered to, agency fees will not be paid.

Submission of any unsolicited CVs or proposals to Savills will be deemed evidence of full and unlimited acceptance of this approach.