Position: Land Manager

Location: Suffolk, UK (hybrid – on site)

Simpson Booth is delighted to support our Client, one of the UK’s main generators of low carbon electricity, with the following assignment. Our Client is seeking a Land and Property Manager to ensure successful land management through the construction and operation of their critical national infrastructure project.

Reporting to the Head of Land, the Land Manager will be responsible for land and property activities to enable the lifecycle of land required for the construction and operation of a nationally significant infrastructure project – a new build power station. Specifically, the Land Manager will be responsible for the main development site and off-site associated developments, aligned to the project’s needs and delivery timetable. In addition to land and property management, the post holder will be accountable for the relevant finance aspects / budgets associated with land management of the project and as the land team grows, will line manage several assistant /graduate land managers.

Role and responsibilities will include, but may not be limited to the following:

• To lead in securing any remaining rights and access arrangements to facilitate delivery of the Project, as well as to implement the rights already secured including those negotiated by mutual agreement and drawing on the compulsory acquisition powers secured under the Development Consent Order to meet the project’s needs and delivery timetable.
• To manage the day to day running of the relevant land deals in terms of compliance and coordinate any amendments to them as instructed. The post holder will also support in any property transactions directed to them.
• To manage the Agricultural Liaison Officers who will be supporting in developing/maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including landowners and land agents and ensure up to date record keeping, including a register of rights and schedules of property transactions.
• To be responsible for all finance aspects relating to the main development and associated developments, including the internal activities (preparing, advising, monitoring, forecasting and controlling) relating to that element of the land budget; and the risk register to identify, monitor and manage risks to the Project.
• To provide advice to the Head of Land on related land matters, drawing in specialist consultancy advice (land agents, surveyors, land referencers and solicitors) where needed, and facilitating resolution of standard and non-standard issues.
• The post includes coordination to oversee compliance with Nuclear Site Licence Condition 3.
• Ensure compliance with Company Governance arrangements, Health and Safety Statute.
• Overseeing the development and use of a register/database of land and property interests, including any commitments and controls on those, using it to identify issues for resolution, to guide the land strategy and actions for completion.
• Working closely with relevant teams (including DCO Planning, Delivery and Finance) to ensure visibility of and compliance with the land and other related commitments and controls, as well as working effectively with those teams to identify and implement measures for resolution of issues where conflicts arise.
• Support the project delivery by maintaining a close interface with internal peer group and ensuring cohesion and effectiveness across the project team.
• The role will manage the day to day running of the existing land deals in terms of compliance and coordinate any amendments to them as instructed. The post holder will also support in any property transactions directed to.

Knowledge and experience required:

• A qualification in a relevant discipline, such as land management or surveying.
• Significant preference will be given to candidates in possession of a chartership qualification (RICS)
• Recent experience working in a major infrastructure project role in the UK from a land perspective, particularly in relation to agricultural property management and implementing compulsory acquisition powers.
• Demonstrable experience of instructing specialist advisors where necessary and managing a team.
• Effective project and financial management capabilities.
• Proven interpersonal skills with ability to quickly build relationships and influence at all levels across the organisation.
• High degree of integrity, credibility and confidentiality.
• Nuclear power station experience strongly preferred
• Ability to thrive in a changing market and organisational environment with ability to quickly establish networks.