Assistant Director of Property Services

About the role

Are you an experienced senior property professional with a strong commercial background and a track record of leading complex estates, asset management and property programmes?

We are looking for an Assistant Director of Property Services to provide strategic leadership across a diverse and high profile property portfolio. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for shaping and delivering the Council's approach to estates management, strategic property projects and valuations, ensuring our assets are managed effectively, commercially and in support of wider Council priorities.

You will play a key role in developing and implementing the Council's asset management strategy, maximising the use and value of housing and corporate assets and identifying opportunities for repurposing, redevelopment, acquisition or disposal. You will also lead major strategic initiatives including housing acquisitions, the repurposing of surplus Civic Centre space, solar energy projects and wider opportunities across the Council's property portfolio.

As Assistant Director of Property Services, you will provide clear strategic direction and leadership across a broad portfolio of services, including:

• Estates management, including leases, garages, community assets, landlord compliance, farms and business rates.
• Compulsory Purchase Orders and leasehold enfranchisement.
• Strategic property projects and disposals.
• Housing acquisitions.
• Repurposing and development of surplus corporate space.
• Solar and other property related initiatives.
• Property and asset valuations.

You will act as a senior technical and strategic adviser to the Council, ensuring property decisions are commercially sound, legally compliant and aligned with long term corporate objectives.

You will also oversee the Council's leased property portfolio, ensuring effective lease management, compliance, renewals and negotiations, while identifying opportunities to consolidate assets, reduce the Council's carbon footprint and support wider sustainability ambitions.

What You'll Be Doing

You will:

• Lead and develop the Council's asset management strategy to maximise the use, performance and value of housing and corporate assets.
• Provide strategic leadership across estates management, valuations and major property programmes.
• Lead complex property acquisitions, disposals, redevelopment and repurposing initiatives.
• Oversee commercial and community assets, including lease renewals, rent reviews and wider estate management activity.
• Lead significant programmes of asset disposal and acquisition in support of strategic and financial objectives.
• Provide expert oversight of residential and commercial valuations, including Right to Buy, HRA buybacks, insurance valuations and leasehold enfranchisement.
• Lead strategic projects including housing acquisitions, surplus asset development and renewable energy opportunities.
• Oversee business rates reviews and appeals across corporate properties.
• Manage complex negotiations relating to land, leases, acquisitions and major infrastructure matters.
• Provide senior professional advice on property matters across the Council.
• Lead, manage and develop high performing teams, creating clear accountability and a strong performance culture.
• Manage complex budgets and ensure services deliver value for money and agreed financial targets.
• Work closely with elected Members, senior officers, residents, public and private sector partners and other key stakeholders.
• Horizon scan for legislative changes, emerging trends, innovative practices and new commercial opportunities.
• Drive continuous improvement, transformation and innovation across the services within your portfolio.

About You

We are looking for an accomplished senior leader with substantial experience in commercial property, estates management and strategic asset management.

You will:

• Have a degree in a relevant subject or equivalent experience.
• Hold a management and leadership qualification.
• Demonstrate ongoing continuing professional development.
• Have comprehensive knowledge of the legal, statutory and regulatory requirements relating to land disposals and acquisitions, development schemes, building programmes and lease management.
• Have a strong understanding of the strategic challenges affecting capital programmes, estates management and regeneration or redevelopment.
• Have a successful track record of developing or delivering major property, estates or capital programme strategies.
• Have significant experience leading and managing services at a senior level within a large and complex organisation.
• Have experience leading major organisational change and transformation.
• Be experienced in managing complex budgets across diverse services.
• Have strong expertise in commercial and residential valuation, estate management and complex negotiations.
• Be able to identify innovative commercial and strategic opportunities.
• Have the credibility and communication skills to influence senior stakeholders, elected Members, partners and external organisations.
• Be confident leading diverse services through periods of significant change.

Why Join Us?

This is a significant leadership opportunity to influence the future of the Council's property portfolio and play a central role in how our assets support residents, services and long term strategic priorities.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Shape and deliver the Council's strategic approach to property and asset management.
• Lead a diverse and high value portfolio of services and assets.
• Influence major investment, acquisition, disposal and redevelopment decisions.
• Deliver complex and high profile strategic property projects.
• Work directly with senior leaders, elected Members and key external partners.
• Identify new commercial opportunities and innovative approaches to asset use.
• Support the Council's financial, housing, regeneration and sustainability ambitions.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly. The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.

Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.

Recruitment Information

Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a 'per application' basis.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre employment screening:

• Qualifications Check
• 2 years of Referencing