Assistant Director – Property & Asset Strategy

Job Description

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to lead the strategic transformation of the London Borough of Harrow’s land and property estate at a pivotal moment in the Council’s future.

As Assistant Director – Property & Asset Strategy, you will be a key member of the Housing and Regeneration Directorate Management Team, holding corporate responsibility for how the Council’s physical assets are optimised, invested in and sustained for the long term. With delegated budgets of around £10m, you will shape and deliver an ambitious Asset Management Strategy that treats the Council’s entire estate as a single corporate resource—driving value for residents, supporting frontline services, enabling regeneration and contributing to the Council’s climate ambitions.

You will be the Council’s Head of Profession for Strategic Asset Management and Valuation, providing authoritative leadership across operational, commercial and community assets. Acting as the Council’s “Strategic Client”, you will commission, design and oversee long‑term capital maintenance and estate strategies that balance operational resilience with commercial opportunity.

This is a highly visible role, working closely with Members, Cabinet, senior officers, partners and regulators. You will influence complex political and financial decision‑making, represent the Council externally, and deputise for the Strategic Director when required. Above all, you will champion a one‑organisation approach, ensuring our property assets actively support service delivery, regeneration priorities, financial sustainability and our drive to become a greener borough.

• Professionally qualified property leader (e.g. MRICS/FRICS), educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Extensive senior experience managing complex operational and commercial estates as a corporate resource.
• Proven ability to shape and deliver asset management strategy, aligned to service delivery, regeneration and financial priorities.
• Strong commercial focus, with a successful track record in income generation, asset optimisation and capital receipts.
• Confident financial manager with experience overseeing capital maintenance programmes and significant budgets.
• Experienced operating in a political environment, providing trusted advice to Members and senior leaders.
• Effective strategic client and commissioner, with oversight of FM and compliance services across diverse estates.
• A collaborative, visible leader with a track record of service transformation and building high‑performing teams.
• Passionate about sustainability and place, embedding decarbonisation and energy efficiency into property decisions.
• Values‑led, demonstrating Be Courageous, Do It Together and Make It Happen.

For more information, please refer to the Role Profile/Selection Criteria

About us

Harrow Council is the 12th largest London borough and one of the most culturally diverse local authorities in the UK, making it a great place to live, work and visit with a range of cultures, religions and opinions that come together to produce high achieving schools and a close and friendly community. Located 10 miles from the city centre and just 13 minutes to Euston from Harrow & Wealdstone station there are great transport links via the Metropolitan Line, Watford DC Line and national rail service. It is easily accessible to the M1, M25 and A406.

Other information

Support for candidates visit:Harrow.gov.uk Our behavioural indicators roles below G11 and above G11 Here at Harrow Council, the vision is one of 'Working together to make a difference for Harrow' Please click here to view Harrow Council's benefits

Important Note

To deliver our commitment to equality of opportunity in service provision, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs at the London Borough of Harrow. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender, reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, or maternity unless a Genuine Occupational Qualification applies. As such, we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. For further information, please read our equality statement.

As a disability-confident employer, we are committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and accessible to everyone. This includes reasonably adjusting the recruitment process for those with disabilities or long-term health conditions. For further information, please contact us at resourcing@harrow.gov.uk

London Borough of Harrow is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Harrow operates stringent, safer recruitment procedures.

Due to the high number of applications received for some posts, we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.

Harrow redeployees will be given priority consideration.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, any your data protection rights, can be found by visiting www.cifas.org.uk/fpn