Head of Rural Estates

Little Stukeley, Cambridgeshire
Solos Consultants Ltd

Head of Rural Estates

Day Rate Negotiable Let us know what you are looking for?

Full time

9 Month Contract Initially

Cambridgeshire / Hybrid – flexible

We are looking for a Head of Rural Estates Manager for our large Local Authority Client on an initial 9 month contractual basis.

The role leads a team managing Our Clients 14,000-hectare rural estate, ensuring strategic, financial, and environmental performance.

Responsibilities include overseeing operations, delivering budgets, advising stakeholders, driving development opportunities, and supporting climate and biodiversity goals, while maintaining accurate property records and maximising value from the estate s £245 million assets and £6 million annual revenue.

Main accountabilities:

• Lead a team of 4 professional surveyors and a Farms Officer in delivering estate management, capital works, landlord and tenant services, and environmental stewardship.
• Drive the development, implementation, and review of the Rural Asset Management Strategy and Farm Management Plans.
• Ensure the efficient delivery of operational and capital budgets, maximising income, cost-efficiency, and debt recovery.
• Oversee major projects and complex negotiations for acquisitions, disposals, and contracts aligned to financial and climate targets.
• Collaborate with planning and asset teams to optimise the estate through development opportunities.

Skills and Experience:

• Leading edge knowledge of Rural Estate Management practice, including the application of current law and practice, planning policy, Local Development Frameworks status, property valuation, development appraisals and the property market across the region
• Current and emerging practice in the strategic management of substantial agricultural landed estates in the public, investment, and private sectors
• Up to date market knowledge of trends and activity in the rural land market nationally
• Degree in Rural Land Management (or similar)
• Experience in a Estates Manager, Head of Estates, Surveyor or Land Manager based role
• MRICS membership (or equivalent)
• Extensive experience managing large rural estates
• Expertise in valuations, landlord & tenant law, planning and rural asset strategy
• Outstanding stakeholder management and leadership skills
• Budget management and commercial acumen
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills

If this role is of interest and you meet the above criteria, then please apply immediately.