Description
Job advert Overview
John Pye & Sons Ltd is one of the UK’s leading multi-disciplinary auctioneers and valuers.
We are seeking an experienced MRICS Chartered Surveyor / RICS Registered Valuer to join as Head of our Property Division. Working primarily with insolvency practitioners, LPA receivers and probate solicitors, you will manage instructions from initial Red Book valuation through to disposal via online auction and private treaty sale, across a varied mix of residential, commercial and land assets.
The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience, a proven track record in insolvency and LPA Receivership work, and extensive knowledge of the online property auction process. Strong report writing skills and the ability to work at pace across a high-volume national instruction base are essential.
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience plus an annual profit share bonus scheme.
Requirements
Job Specification
Head of Property – Valuation & Disposals
John Pye
Company
John Pye & Sons Ltd
Location
Nottingham (Head Office) with national reach
Reporting To
Head of Business Assets & Property Division / Board of Directors
Salary
Competitive, commensurate with experience
Contract Type
Permanent, Full Time
Core Purpose of the Role
We are seeking an experienced and proactive MRICS Chartered Surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer to join as Head of our Property Division. This is a specialist hybrid role combining technical RICS Red Book valuation expertise with a fast-paced property disposal and auction environment.
The successful candidate will manage complex instructions from insolvency practitioners, LPA receivers and probate solicitors, overseeing the entire asset lifecycle from initial instruction and valuation through to final disposal. The role requires someone equally comfortable preparing rigorous Red Book reports and driving commercial realisations through auction and private treaty.
The current workload is approximately 70% residential and 30% commercial (including land), with roughly 70% of all disposals conducted via online auction and 30% by private treaty sale.
Key Responsibilities
1. Professional Valuation (Red Book & Desktop)
Conduct RICS Red Book Valuations across residential (approximately 70%) and commercial and land sectors (approximately 30%), primarily for insolvency, probate and LPA Receivership clients.
Provide rapid-turnaround desktop valuations and marketing appraisals for a variety of corporate clients.
Maintain strict compliance with RICS Global Standards (The Red Book Global Valuation Standards) at all times.
Prepare clear, well-evidenced valuation reports capable of withstanding scrutiny from creditors, insolvency practitioners and legal representatives.
2. Property Disposal & Auctions
Manage the end-to-end disposal process via online property auctions and private treaty sales, from instruction through to completion.
Advise corporate clients on market realisations and the most appropriate route to market, balancing speed of sale with maximum achievable price.
Secure new instructions through proactive client relationship management with insolvency practitioners, LPA receivers, probate solicitors and corporate clients.
Negotiate offers and provide professional justification of sale figures to creditors and key stakeholders.
Demonstrate extensive knowledge of the online property auction process, including reserve pricing strategy, legal pack preparation and post-auction reporting.
3. Insolvency, Probate & LPA Receivership Advisory
Act as the primary professional contact for insolvency practitioner clients, providing valuation advice, lease reviews, disclaimer recommendations and ongoing strategic property advice.
Manage LPA Receivership instructions from appointment through to asset realisation, overseeing the legal and operational complexities of distressed assets.
Provide regular written progress reports and market updates to insolvency practitioners, probate solicitors and LPA receivers.
Advise on the viability of offers to purchase and whether proposed realisations are acceptable to creditors.
4. Land Sales & Planning
Value and manage the disposal of land across residential and commercial sectors, including sites with and without planning permission.
Advise on and submit planning applications for change of use in connection with the firm’s own property portfolio and client instructions as required.
Assess and advise on development appraisals and planning prospects to maximise land value for clients.
5. Team & Business Development
Provide professional mentoring and guidance to junior staff and administrative team members within the Property Division.
Support the strategic development and commercial growth of the Property Division in line with the firm’s overall business objectives.
Identify and develop new client relationships and instruction sources across target sectors including insolvency, banking, probate and private clients.
Required Qualifications & Experience
Chartered Status
Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS). Fellowship (FRICS) welcome but not required.
Registered Valuer
RICS Registered Valuer status.
Experience
Minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience (PQE), preferably within a multi-disciplinary practice, corporate recovery or auction environment.
Insolvency Specialism
Proven track record in insolvency, probate and LPA Receivership property work, including experience of advising insolvency practitioners directly.
Auction Knowledge
Knowledge of the online property auction process is essential, including reserve pricing strategy, legal pack coordination and post-auction stakeholder reporting.
Valuation Sectors
Demonstrable experience across both residential and commercial property valuation, including land. RICS Red Book and desktop valuation experience required.
Report Writing
High standard of written communication. Able to produce clear, professional valuation reports and advisory correspondence for a sophisticated corporate audience.
Person Specification
Commercial Acumen
A natural negotiator with a strong understanding of how to balance professional valuation standards with achieving maximum realisations for creditors and clients.
Pace & Agility
Comfortable operating at high volume and pace, managing multiple instructions simultaneously across different property types and client bases.
Client Communication
Confident and credible when dealing directly with insolvency practitioners, solicitors, receivers and corporate boards. Able to present complex advice clearly and concisely.
Autonomy
Capable of working independently across a national instruction base with minimal supervision, whilst maintaining consistent professional standards.
Attention to Detail
Rigorous approach to comparable analysis, report preparation and compliance with RICS standards.
Integrity
Understands and upholds the professional and ethical obligations of a Chartered Surveyor, particularly in sensitive insolvency and probate contexts.
About John Pye & Sons Ltd
John Pye & Sons Ltd is one of the UK’s leading multi-disciplinary auctioneers and valuers, operating across business assets, property and specialist sectors. Our Property Division works with insolvency practitioners, LPA receivers, probate solicitors and corporate clients nationwide, providing professional valuation advice and managed property disposal services through online auction and private treaty sale.
The successful candidate will join a well-established and respected team as Head of Property , taking on a central role in a division with significant reach and a well-developed national client base.
