Development Surveyor

In this new role as a Development Surveyor at the Trust, you'll play an important part in advancing our Property Strategy, taking forward capital projects, in support of extending our charitable impact and growing our income to do so. Working closely with the Property Director, you'll lead multiple capital projects of differing scales and varying timelines, focusing on the redevelopment of rural assets, brownfield sites, and new developments focused on rural land and property.,

• Assess and manage the Trust's portfolio of capital projects with a focus on maximising value and impact.


• Lead the development process from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with the Trust's strategic objectives and values.


• Cultivate and maintain productive relationships with stakeholders and potential partners to advance development projects.


• Serve as a Trust ambassador, representing our interests in various forums and engagements.


• Provide expertise in financial and development appraisals to guide decision-making.


• Provide regular progress updates to the Property Director, addressing risks and opportunities.


• Oversee local consultations and stakeholder engagement to ensure project alignment.


• Manage contracts and negotiations to ensure timely and cost-effective project delivery.


• Co-ordinate design team meetings and liaise with professionals to drive project success.


Conduct post-completion evaluations to capture feedback and improve future processes., The Trust owns and manages over 9,000 hectares of land and property made up of mainly let farmland but also 584 hectares of woodland, houses, cottages and a growing commercial portfolio. Land is owned in six counties: Buckinghamshire, Cumbria, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire and Oxfordshire. These rural landholdings are managed for income return and capital growth, whilst seeking ways to improve the environment and important habitats, evolving and protecting the landscapes.

Active management dictates that we are constantly looking for new opportunities and ways to evolve and improve our income stream in support of the Trust's overall charitable object, which is education. These already include long-term housing development proposals, natural capital and carbon, and biodiversity net gain projects alongside other long-term ambitious plans.

OUR VALUES

The unique spirit of The Ernest Cook Trust is best expressed through our values:

Cultivating Connections

At the heart of our work lies the belief that meaningful and lasting change happens through the cultivation of connections. We value the relationships we build with the people and communities we serve, as well as each other and the partnerships we form with like-minded organisations. We understand that these connections create the conditions for people and places to flourish.

Freedom to Try

We embrace a culture of innovation and resilience, where both our team members and the individuals we serve have the freedom to try new things. This value encourages a dynamic and adaptable approach, nurturing trust and courage in ourselves and others.

Progressive Stewardship

We believe in responsible, forward-thinking management of our outdoor resources, as places where diversity can thrive. By actively caring for the environment, we ensure that the beauty and benefits of the outdoors are accessible to all, changing lives through individual and shared positive experiences., Embracing diversity is an essential part of the work of The Ernest Cook Trust. We are committed to treating everyone as a unique individual, fairly and with respect, irrespective of race, disability, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, or religion. We are committed to ensuring equality, respect, and safety for all, and prioritising the wellbeing of the children, young people and vulnerable adults we support. Our safeguarding policy can be found here.

Specific Requirements,

• Proven track record in managing development projects, with a focus on rural property.



• Understanding of rural property characteristics and relevant legal frameworks.



• Proficiency in Health & Safety laws and regulations.



• Strong grasp of technical and contractual aspects of project development.



• Experience in financial modelling and analysis.



• Skilled in co-ordinating multiple external consultants, contractors, and planners.



• Ability to effectively communicate complex concepts and findings.


Personal Qualities,

• Motivated and results-driven with a commitment to excellence.



• Confident leadership skills with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders.



• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.



• Detail-oriented with excellent organisational skills.



• Ability to thrive under pressure and meet tight deadlines.



• Collaborative mindset with a focus on cross-organisational alignment.



• Comfortable navigating complex contracts and commercial environments under time constraints


Skills and Knowledge,

• Degree or equivalent qualification or experience in surveying, property management or development, pre-construction project management (client side), or related field.



• Membership in a relevant professional body (eg, RICS, PMI).



• Proficiency in MS Office suite and development-specific software.



• Experience with GIS mapping software is desirable.
  
  The Ernest Cook Trust is an educational charity and one of the UK's foremost providers and funders of Outdoor Learning. Our vision is for an environmentally engaged society with better connections to nature.


Our mission is to improve life chances of children and young people through a range of Outdoor Learning experiences, enabling them to learn from nature, empowering them to have a positive impact on the environment. We do this through grant support, direct delivery, research and advocacy., As a landowning educational charity, the Trust is uniquely placed to share its woodlands, farms and natural habitats to inspire a greater love and understanding of the natural world, farming and sustainability. We do this for children, young people, their families and communities, particularly those who face barriers to accessing and participating in the outdoors.

Join our growing team at the Trust for a friendly and rewarding experience. We offer competitive salaries, a range of benefits plus a training budget for your personal growth.

We currently have around 45 members of staff based either at our Gloucestershire Head Office, across our UK landholdings and in our regional hubs (Gloucestershire, Cumbria/Lancashire, Leicestershire) or working hybridly.

Enjoy our generous benefits:

• 10% employer pension contribution (5% from employees)



• 27 days annual leave, plus statutory holidays



• Life Assurance



• Access to Employee Assistance Programme, providing 24/7 support for health, mental wellbeing, and more.



• Dynamic, creative, and welcoming work environment.


Working for us will involve wellies, because we firmly believe that everything is better outdoors!