The Duchy of Lancaster is a private estate owned by His Majesty The King, as Duke of Lancaster. The rural estates consist of 18,484 hectares of land in England and Wales and comprise commercial, agricultural and residential properties, the majority of which are in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, and Staffordshire.

In 2016 the Duchy of Lancaster restored the former debtors’ workshops at Lancaster Castle to create a modern suite of offices. In 2017, it relocated some of its estate management functions to this new Northern office. In 2018, the management of all Duchy estates was brought back in house. Alongside the Head Office in London, much of this work is currently carried out from the Lancaster Castle office, including all functions relating to the management of the Lancashire and Cheshire Rural Estates.

Job Description
The Duchy of Lancaster is looking to recruit a placement student for a period of 12 months based at Lancaster Castle to support the estate management team. Working across a number of rural estates the position will provide a breadth of experience in estate management in a business responsible for managing 18,484 hectares.

This is an excellent opportunity for a candidate whom is motivated to expand their practical knowledge and experience and to begin preparation for the APC and CAAV examinations. CPD opportunities will be available and the wider team can offer help and support with qualification requirements.

The role will cover all aspects of estate management including:

 Residential, agricultural and commercial property inspections.
 Negotiation of rent reviews, lease renewals and other landlord and tenant matters.
 Financial management to include preparation of budgets and managing cash flow and expenditure. Completion of works instructions to contractors and processing of invoice in conjunction with the accounts team.
 Reporting to the Management Board in London and managing the portfolio within Key Performance Indicators.
 Assistance with maintenance of the let portfolio including reactive repairs and larger refurbishment projects. Liaison with tenants and contractors and tracking progress.
 Mapping.
 Preparation for and completion of new lettings.
 Reviewing and assisting with planning and development opportunities.
 Other duties and responsibilities as directed by the team.

Placement Location
The role is based at the Lancaster Castle Office. The team currently comprises two Rural Surveyors, two Graduate Surveyors and a Rural Administrator who all work closely with our in-house accounts department.

The team is responsible for the management of the Lancashire and Cheshire Surveys which comprise:
 The Lancashire Survey extends to 3,840 hectares in total and comprises four rural estates:
Myerscough, Salwick, Wyreside and Whitewell.
 The Cheshire Survey is centred largely on the 1,368 hectare Crewe estate with a smaller holding at Marbury.

Within these estates there is a wide variety of assets including, residential, commercial and agricultural properties, a solar farm, fishing lakes, grouse moors, forestry and foreshore.

Candidate Profile
 Good technical knowledge and an awareness of rural affairs.
 Enthusiastic, self-motivated and able to work with initiative in a small team.
 Highly personable, good telephone manner with the ability to create good working relationships, both internally and externally.
 Excellent IT skills and highly numerate and proficient in Excel.
 Strong grammatical, language and general communications skills (written and oral) with good attention to detail.
 Sympathy with the heritage of the Duchy and its role in supporting The Sovereign.
 An absolute passion for attention to detail and pride in quality work.
Salary £20,000 per annum

Pool cars are situated at the Lancaster Office, Yorkshire and Cheshire surveys for staff use. Accommodation is not provided with the role, however the team will endeavour to assist candidates in identifying suitable accommodation.

How to Apply
Please send a covering letter and a copy of your CV to Lydia Richards at: lrichards@duchyoflancaster.co.uk

The closing date for applications is 5pm on 28/10/24