About the role:
This management role within the Property team will drive and lead on Thames Water’s property interests within the Thames Tideway Tunnel infrastructure programme and ensuring that we operate within regulatory performance commitments setting out maximisation of lane value (ET06) and acceptance of sites being handed back from the Tideway project to Thames Water (ET07).
This is an opportunity for an experienced surveyor who would relish an opportunity to work on a large-scale infrastructure project with over 1400 property interests, c£300m of property disposals, six new foreshore sites across London and 14 Public Realm sites in total.
This role will be instrumental within a dynamic programme, and we are looking for someone who is able to work to tight timescales and co-ordinate a changing project. This is a dynamic role in a fast-paced environment where the successful candidate will be comfortable working under pressure, possessing exceptional stakeholder engagement and management skills.
The ideal candidate will have solid property and corporate real estate experience, having previously managed the property leasing, acquisition and disposals at a portfolio level. Experience of working on foreshore properties and working wharves would be advantageous.
Key accountabilities include:
- Technical due diligence of the impact of retained and temporary works
- The O&M operational areas and land requirements
- Satisfy Thames Water’s obligations under the DCO and s106 commitments
- To provide estimated valuations of land parcels, sites and building and verify third party valuations
- Identify any technical issues with the building or land and identify responsibility for remediation
- The current use, the potential use and the ability to identify new opportunities
- Ensure that we are compliant with legislation, planning restrictions, legal agreements, health and safety etc
- Maximise and manage our Tideway rental portfolio, ensuring that our tenants are compliant with lease covenants
- Understand and rationally challenge proposed compensation payments
- Fully understand existing contracts and our obligations, risks and opportunities
- Create and document Property strategy for all Tideway sites, including the four key Tideway driver sites (valued at £300m), that will ensure that we deliver maximum value in line with our performance commitment ET06
- Create a programme plan for the management of the hand-back of all Tideway sites from Tideway to Thames Water, ensuring that our regulated performance commitment ET07 is met
- Identify and build a business case for land acquisition opportunities, where there is a clear benefit to Thames Water Property and the customer i.e. a more cost-effective solution to compensation payments
- Through forensic analysis of the property portfolio, identify real estate opportunities that will demonstrate and realise best value for Thames Water customers
- Establish a cross project team by working with key internal stakeholders across Thames Water, Thames Integration Group (TIG) and Tideway teams
- Build collaborative working relationships with external bodies, as Thames Water’s representative, i.e. Local Authorities & London Borough Councils, regulated bodies, development partners and neighbours.
- Own and document stakeholder engagement strategies for key external stakeholders, such as the Port of London Authority and London Borough Councils
- Manage and work collaboratively with our Property agent/service provider
- Updating the Head of Property – Estates and Tideway via regular reporting on the progress of the Programme and all Property initiatives
- Report through the relevant channels accurate and timely budgets and forecasts for delivering the service.
- Create, own and manage a central repository of all Tideway property data, with a clearly documented archiving system/process for ease of access of current and historic matters
- Working collaboratively within the Ventures team and wider Thames Water, providing advice on likely constraints and opportunities
- Providing management, leadership and development of people in a culture of accountability and achievement
- Actively protecting, managing and enhancing the reputation of Ventures and wider Thames Water business to external customers and stakeholders.
- Programme manage and deliver the property strategy to plan. Considering;
- Performance commitment ET06 and maximising the value of land
- Performance commitment ET07 timely hand-back of land
- The disposal of the four key driver sites
- O&M plans and land requirements
- Undertaking technical due diligence to consider the impact of retained/temporary works
- The main work contractors (MWCs) programme of work
- Satisfying Thames Water’s obligations under the DCO and s106 commitments
- Where required, support governance, through the timely reporting of programme progress, the writing of presentations and business cases and supporting committee meetings
To be successful you will have the following skills and experience:
- Solid experience in commercial real estate
- Excellent proven commercial and contractual acumen
- Experience of leading cross-business and multi-disciplinary teams
- Project management experience and understanding of understand of project methodologies
- Management of a large and diverse Property portfolio
- Development experience would be advantageous
- Strong and authentic leadership character; strong leadership skills and experience
- Excellent communication, influencing and report writing skills
- Ability to build collaborative and sustainable relationships
- Experience of operating in high pressure and fast paced environments having adapted to and stabilised under pressure for sustained periods of time
- Has dealt with intense and inquisitive questioning with patience and maturity
- Able to solve complex planning issues through critical thinking and forensic analysis
- Actively encourages a diverse range of opinions and builds consensus
- Strong commercial approach with a good level of contract knowledge
- Decisions based on objective analysis, experience and common sense; seeks information beyond the problem to gain added perspective
- Proactively leads and drives change for commercial advantage, has lived through and learned to adapt to major change
What’s in it for you:
Our competitive salary and package include a competitive bonus, car allowance, private healthcare, an excellent contributory pension, 26 days holiday. There is also a wider benefits scheme which includes an annual pay review, season ticket loans and loyalty awards for continuous service plus discounts at a wide range of retailers via Benefits on Taps.
We’re proud to be here for our local community, offering everyone two days paid volunteer leave a year, as well as proudly supporting a lot of local events and charities.
Click here to view our full list of Rewards and Benefits
About us:
Thames Water is the UK’s largest water and wastewater company. We make a daily difference to millions of customers by supplying 2.7 billion litres of world-class water to around 10 million homes.
As our world changes, the need to take care of our most precious resource is greater than ever, both locally and globally. That’s why, at Thames Water, every one of our actions, big and small, matters every day. Water is essential to daily life, and that means our business is always open. We’re passionate about providing world-class tap water, now and for the future.
We’re also turning waste into power, self-generating 20% of the energy we use and, in turn, doing our bit for the planet. We’re reducing plastic waste by celebrating our tap water and rolling out an ambitious water fountain project. We’re using our voice to lobby for change and partnering with WaterAid to provide clean water to the world’s poorest communities.
Together, we’re building a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding and diverse place to work. If you join our team, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and unparalleled benefits. We’re also proud to be an equal opportunity employer, Stonewall Diversity Champion and Disability Confident Leader, welcoming individuals from all walks of life and leading the way with award-winning mental health and well-being strategy.