Shape the future of our property portfolio

Are you an experienced property professional ready to take on a high-profile leadership role where your expertise will make a lasting difference?

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is looking for an ambitious and commercially minded Corporate Property Manager to lead our Property and Estates Service. As the Council’s principal adviser on property management, development and asset strategy, you will help us maximise the value of our assets while ensuring they support our services, communities and wider corporate priorities.

This is an exciting time to join us. You will have a key role in leading the service through the transition to a new unitary authority, helping to develop its future direction and championing innovative property solutions. You will lead the development of our Property Asset Management Plan, influence strategic projects and ensure our property approach is aligned with key public and private sector partners.

The opportunity

No two days will be the same. You will provide strategic leadership across a varied property portfolio, balancing commercial, operational and organisational priorities.

You will:

Act as the Council’s principal adviser on property management, development and asset strategy.
Lead and direct the Property and Estates Service, providing strategic property solutions and commercial development advice.
Develop Council-wide property, asset management and office accommodation strategies.
Drive an innovative, commercially astute and customer-focused approach across the service.
Oversee property compliance, sustainability and maintenance programmes informed by condition surveys.
Review the performance of the asset portfolio and recommend appropriate acquisition and disposal strategies.
Provide clear, professional advice to senior leaders and elected Members.
Lead multiple strategic projects, including property disposals, refurbishment activity and projects within the Council’s strategic plan.
Work collaboratively with colleagues across legal, finance, facilities, procurement, parking, parks, leisure and housing.
Manage, motivate and create clear communication across the Property and Estates teams.

You will also represent the Council in discussions with Tunbridge Wells Property Holdings Limited and ensure that resources, targets and performance measures remain focused on delivering corporate priorities and value for money.

About you

We are looking for a credible and influential senior property professional who combines strategic thinking with the ability to deliver.

You will bring:

Significant experience of providing commercial property development advice, including work with national or international developers.
Experience of developing and delivering property management strategies.
Strong people, performance and budget management experience.
A sound understanding of legislation relating to local authority property holdings and disposals.
Corporate membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, or an equivalent professional qualification.
Highly developed interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
The ability to produce clear reports and recommendations for senior management and elected Members.
Excellent political awareness, with the confidence to influence, negotiate and represent the Council at a senior level.
The ability to think strategically, manage competing priorities and lead a diverse team.
A proactive approach, professional resilience and enthusiasm for driving change.

You will be diplomatic and confident in your approach, able to build strong professional relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders and remain calm under pressure. You will also need a good understanding of corporate property compliance, including in areas such as asbestos and legionella management.

A full, valid UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle are required, and you must be willing and able to attend evening meetings when necessary.

Why join us?

You will be joining a friendly and supportive team of solution-focused professionals who enjoy tackling challenges and delivering a broad range of interesting work.

The role offers:

A clear pay structure with salary starting at £67,636, rising to £69,416 after one year and £71,196 after two years, subject to approval.
32 days’ annual leave, increasing to 35 days after five years’ continuous local government service and bank holidays.
An additional three days’ leave in December.
Hybrid working, with a minimum of two office-based days each week, subject to service requirements. The successful candidate will be expected to work mainly from the office during their probationary period.
Free staff parking.
Payment of professional body fees.
Local Government Pension Scheme with a 16.8% employer contribution
Access to HAPI benefits.
Ongoing professional and management development through conferences, seminars, online learning and the Council’s managers’ network.
A significant opportunity to influence strategic projects and the future direction of the service as we move towards a new unitary authority.

To learn more about working at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, explore the kind of place we are, work that matters with people who care, and our pay, benefits, and hybrid working.

Ready to make an impact?

If you are an accomplished property professional who can combine commercial insight, strategic leadership and excellent stakeholder management, we would welcome your application.

Apply by Sunday 27 September 2026
Interviews will take place on Friday 2 October 2026

Equal Opportunities

Tunbridge Wells – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Safeguarding

The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.

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