Surveyor/Senior Surveyor – Student Accommodation Valuation

Job Title: Valuation Advisory – Student Accommodation Team – Surveyor /Senior Surveyor

Location: London

Role Purpose: Student Accommodation Valuation

Why the student market?

Student Accommodation is no longer considered an alternative asset class. As the fastest growing investment sector in the UK, 2020 saw over £6bn invested, and it looks to be one of the more active sectors in 2021.

This is a great opportunity to join the market-leading valuation team acting in one of the hottest sectors. Along with CBRE’s other ‘Beds’ valuation teams (residential, co living and affordable housing) we are excitingly set to become the biggest sub-team within the department over the next five years.

Given the stellar growth of both the student and other beds sectors, we are confident that we can offer you an exceptionally diverse role that will see you at the forefront of this evolution and become an expert in this sought-after field.

Why CBRE’s student valuation team?

We are incredibly proud that our student valuation and advisory team is the largest team in the sector.. Our outstanding team of 16 people have diverse backgrounds and skill sets . Their uniting factor is a common desire to provide the best service possible to clients while becoming the need-to-know advisors in the business, across both the UK and Europe.

We provide a range of services to our clients who do not come to us solely for valuation advice. Our depth of knowledge and unrivalled data analytics means that we are frequently asked to provide advice at all levels of the property lifecycle. We have an enviable and accessible sector reach across Europe meaning that not only will you be advising on the student market in the UK and Ireland, but also, should you wish, in growth markets including Spain, Portugal and Italy where we are excited to be able to work closely with our local colleagues in providing a cross-border service.

Whilst we have in place a supportive senior leadership structure within the team, we believe that our team members truly thrive when instilled with a sense of personal pride, responsibility and autonomy over their workloads. A key point of difference within the student valuation team at CBRE is the level of client exposure you will be given from day one. We have an established and loyal client-base which continues to grow each year and we believe that the personal involvement of all of our team members, and the stake that they hold in these relationships is key.

Whilst the last year has presented many challenges, it has also brought us closer together as a team during Zoom calls and face to face socials where possible. We are a friendly and supportive group who have grown together over the last few years to provide a first class service to our clients, and developed close working relationships and friendships with each other. Whilst hard work is key to our success, we ensure we balance this with some fun. We strive constantly to bring balance to the day to day role, and we have leadership in place at both team and company level which supports this ethos.

Why CBRE?

Working at CBRE means that you will establish and develop an unrivalled access to a network you are unlikely to be able to acquire elsewhere, leading to lifelong professional and personal relationships. You will have the capacity and back-up to provide the best service in the business, meaning exposure to the industry’s biggest names. Your personal development will grow at whichever pace you choose, and you will be encouraged and supported to be the best version of yourself.

Wellbeing and balance is a growing theme each year for the business, and with our return to our brand new office in the West End in the summer of 2021, the company has been able to fast track what for years have just been items on an agenda for most firms. You can look forward to a healthy workspace, a real work-life balance and a set of self-set rules (‘teamship’) which have been endorsed at all levels in the firm to ensure that these are realities and not just concepts.

Our team

The student valuation team is part of the market-leading valuation department at CBRE which has over 250 valuers. This means that we have immediate access to not only the best in the business, but, a friendly, dynamic and social team – from all walks of life, not just the tried and trodden routes you might expect. Our team of 16 is formed of qualified valuers and graduates, our team PA, and three dedicated student data analysts.

The team is headed up by Tim Pankhurst. Tim is a father to two children under five and has long been an advocate of both our flexible working policy and a cheerleader for CBRE’s market leading Enhanced Shared Parental Leave programme, being the first in the business to take it when offered.

The Role

Key Responsibilities

• Preparing investment and development valuations
• Writing valuation reports
• Working alongside a senior colleague on at least one of our regular core client accounts
• Analysis of client and market data to prepare valuations
• Assisting with business development by handling repeat business, attending industry events and client presentations
• Client focused approach and ability to develop strong relationships
• Integrating into the wider CBRE business and developing a one team approach

Requirements/Skills

• Have an interest, or desire to learn about the student accommodation market
• Whilst previous student accommodation experience is an advantage, we are sector agnostic. and are looking for candidates with a diverse and transferable skill set
• A strong grasp of income driven valuations and development appraisals, ideally proven with experience from a previous role
• Willingness to travel within the UK and Europe
• Flexible and versatile approach, with the ability to work within a project team as well as autonomously
• Proven analytical, research, numeracy and report writing skills
• Ability to forge strong working relationships with colleagues across the business
• Proactive, ability to work to tight deadlines and good attention to detail
• Support a culture of looking to improve and build upon the success of each job

Essential Skills/Qualifications Required

• MRICS qualified
• Registered Valuer
• Strong level of IT skills: strong proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Argus Developer