Access & Acquisitions Regional Manager

Warrington, England, United Kingdom

12/16/2024

Role Details

"Salary - Competitive Salary

Work Type - Hybrid

Job Location - Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP

Role Type - Permanent

Employment Type - Full Time

Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution."

Job Purpose

The Access & Acquisitions Regional Manager is part of the Access & Acquisitions Team in Property Services and reports to the Head of Property Services. The role is based at Lingley Mere Business Park, Warrington and covers the Northwest region.

The Access & Acquisitions Regional Manager will be required to manage a team of internal surveyors and external consultant surveyors in order to provide a comprehensive professional surveying service to Capital Delivery, Engineering, Water & Wastewater Network Services, Developer Services and Legal Services.

The role will include advising on gaining entry to private land to carryout pipelaying works, the Company’s statutory powers, valuation and acquisition of land, compensation and other property related issues to facilitate the successful delivery of the Capital Programme and to ensure the Company is able to inspect, maintain, repair and improve its network of water mains and sewers across the region.

Job Accountabilities

• Effectively manage and lead a team of internal and external surveyors.
• Liaise with Schedule 13 Undertakers, obtain any necessary consents required to enter land and advise the Company on the relevant processes, timescales and limitations.
• Assist with Framework Tender Agreements (and renewals) for Consultant Surveyors and Structural Surveys.
• Act as the key contact, A&A discipline lead and Subject Matter Expert.
• Provide advice and guidance to the A&A team, Consultants surveyors and wider business on Company’s statutory powers of entry and the relevant timescales.
• Regular liaison, networking and delivery of presentations to colleagues, contractors and the wider business on A&A matters and the Code of Practice.
• Obtain details on the number, type and location and timing of projects in the next year/AMP from all delivery work streams to assist with resource planning.
• Understand the Project Delivery Lifecyle, work streams, ways of working, and align the A&A team accordingly.
• To oversee land referencing to identify land ownership and occupation details for land and property affected by our works and ensure that information is held securely.
• Advising on site selection, pipeline routes, permanent and temporary working areas required for pipelaying works.
• To oversee liaison and consultation with Owners and Occupiers and their representatives.
• To authorise and ensure valid Statutory Notices are served on time to enable entry to private land to carry out pipelaying works.
• Advising, preparing and delivering strategies to gain access to land by using statutory powers and/or by agreement and by a Warrant of Entry where necessary
• Advising, preparing and delivering land purchase strategies for complex projects, including advising on the best approach to secure interests in land.
• Leading on Special Projects and advance land assembly projects.
• Negotiating and agreeing complex Heads of Terms to acquire land, Options Agreements, formal deeds of easement, leases, licences, rights of way, temporary site compound agreement and reporting instructions through to Legal Services in a timely manner.
• Working with legal Services and advising and/ or representing the Company with applications for Compulsory Purchase Orders.
• Handling and negotiating the settlement of complex compensation claims, including references to the Upper Tribunal (Lands chamber).
• Prepare detailed budgets for land purchases and statutory compensation claims in connection with capital schemes and forecast expenditure and monitor budgets.
• Agreeing and advising the A&A team, landowners, project teams and contractors on best practice for accommodation works, reinstatement works, soil management and land drainage, including timing/phasing of works.
• Assisting with the preparation of Contract documents, Scope Books and Policies on reinstatement of private land.
• Overseeing the handling and negotiation of compensation claims arising from the escape of water following a burst water main.
• Overseeing instructions to the A&A team from Developer Services for diversions and requisitions for new water mains and sewers.
• To appoint and manage external Structural Surveyor suppliers to deliver Structural and Engineering advice to the business, pre and post construction structural surveys of private properties.
• To promote awareness and compliance with the Company’s Code of Practice for Pipelaying across the business and with contractors.
• Preparation of business cases, written reports, spreadsheets, power point presentations
  
  

Knowledge And Skills

• A qualified Chartered Surveyor (Rural, Commercial or Valuation pathway).
• A Land and or Property related degree.
• An awareness and understanding of the Company’s Code of Practice for Pipelaying.
• A working knowledge of the statutes, statutory instruments, case law and government guidance in respect of the statutory compensation code and compulsory purchase procedures.
• An understanding of the valuation method principles.
• A proven track record of leading and managing teams.
• Good communication skills essential (both oral and written), to enable the holder to liaison with a range of individuals and organisations both internally and externally including reporting to Directors and other Senior leaders across the business.
• Good negotiating skills and a sound commercial approach.
• The commitment and resilience to deal with a large and varied workload.
• Self-confidence, drive, influencing skills, the ability to adapt to change.
• Good planning, time management and organisational skills, identify priorities and achieve deadlines.
• Demonstrate and influence role model behaviours across the team and wider business.
• Act as an ambassador for the Company to help protect and enhance its reputation
• Excellent computer and IT skills with experience of using Microsoft Word, Teams, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, ARC GIS, plus experience in using web/cloud-based land management systems
  
  

Additional Information

Due to the nature of the role, the holder is required to travel to and from offices and sites when performing their duties and on occasion, may be required to work outside of normal working hours. Accordingly, a full driving licence is required.

Benefits

We believe in empowering you to achieve your aspirations and dreams, both in your work and in your life. To help you achieve your goals, we offer a variety of voluntary benefits that you can select according to your needs and preferences.

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 20% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes
  
  

We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.