Strategic Asset Manager

JOB TITLE: Strategic Asset Manager 6 months contract with possible extension up to 2 years

37 Hours per week Location - Cambridge - CB2 1BY, Hybrid working

Group Purpose

The Economy and Place Group exists to enable Cambridge to grow sustainably as an inclusive place to live, work, and visit. This is achieved by working collaboratively across the Council, alongside businesses, communities, and economic partnerships, to maximise economic, social, and environmental benefits for the city.

The Role

The Strategic Asset Lead is a newly created strategic position reporting to the Director for Economy and Place. The role works closely with the wider Economy & Place management team, particularly the Chief Property Surveyor.

The postholder will take a holistic, council-wide view of all City Council assets (administrative, operational, commercial, and key housing elements). You will provide strategic advice on asset retention, refurbishment, repurposing, or disposal, while shaping the Council's overall compliance approach.

You will operate within new governance arrangements chaired by the Director for Economy and Place, alongside the Chief Financial Officer, to deliver a coordinated, council-wide asset strategy. This includes advising the leadership team and Cabinet on how to optimise asset value, ensure compliance, and align decisions with long-term strategic priorities such as environmental commitments and community wealth building.

The role involves maintaining a comprehensive overview of the Council's property and land portfolio and leading the implementation of agreed strategies.

Additionally, you will champion the adoption of emerging technologies, including AI, to improve efficiency, support data-driven decision-making, and enhance energy and retrofit strategies.

This role extends beyond traditional property management and requires strong cross-functional collaboration. You will engage internal and external stakeholders, balancing financial and property objectives with broader council priorities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Asset Management

• Develop a coherent, council-wide understanding of asset requirements aligned with operational, commercial, social, and environmental objectives.
• Update and enhance the Council's Asset Management Plan (AMP) to ensure assets are fit for purpose, compliant, cost-effective, and sustainable.
• Work closely with the CFO and Finance Team to develop a forward-looking investment pipeline, ensuring capital expenditure delivers maximum value and aligns with corporate priorities such as Net Zero, placemaking, and community wealth building.

1. Stakeholder Engagement & Strategy Development

• Collaborate with key stakeholders, including the Chief Property Surveyor and Assistant Director of Development, to shape future asset and commercial property strategies.
• Support the development of business cases and secure funding or investment across the Council's asset base, including relevant Housing Revenue Account (HRA) assets.

1. Net Zero Leadership

• Lead the coordination, content, and management of the Council's Net Zero Board.
• Drive strategic decision-making to ensure the property portfolio contributes to achieving the Council's Net Zero target by 2030.

1. Placemaking & Asset Optimisation

• Leverage the Council's assets to support placemaking objectives.
• Work collaboratively across departments, including Greater Cambridge Shared Planning, to align asset use with wider development goals.

1. Partnerships & External Collaboration

• Build and maintain partnerships with key public and private sector organisations.
• Collaborate with stakeholders such as the Head of Economy, Energy & Climate, Greater Cambridge Partnership, University of Cambridge, and the Cambridge Business Improvement District to deliver shared objectives.

Role Dimensions and Additional Information

• Group & Team: Economy and Place Group
• Line Management Responsibility: Likely to include 1 x Band 5 Property Surveyor (TBC)
• Contractual Work Base: Mandela House / Flexible
• Budget Responsibility: Small direct budget; advisory responsibility over a £165m property portfolio
• Grade: 8
• Date Evaluated/Updated: February 2025

Person Specification

Essential Skills & Experience

• Degree/Diploma (or Postgraduate Diploma) recognised by RICS with current MRICS (or equivalent)
• Strong experience in strategy and programme management
• Proven ability in business case development and financial analysis
• Experience managing large property portfolios and commercial assets
• Expertise in property management systems, valuation tools, and databases
• Experience in flexible accommodation and innovative asset use
• Strong understanding of sustainability, economic development, placemaking, and community agendas
• Demonstrated line management capability

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience incorporating social and env