Commercial Portfolio Manager; Rural Estate

About the role

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Help shape a rural estate with purpose.

Support farming communities, manage diverse landholdings and drive long term value for Dorset.

Dorset's rural landscape is one of its defining strengths - home to agricultural businesses, smallholdings, countryside facilities, community assets and a rich farming heritage. Dorset Council's new 10year Farms Estate Strategy sets out a bold vision for a sustainable, thriving agricultural estate that supports new entrants, delivers environmental improvements and strengthens the rural economy.

Covering more than 5,000 acres and nearly 60 holdings, the Farms Estate is being modernised through targeted investment, clearer tenancy routes, and a renewed focus on sustainability and good estate management.

This role is central to ensuring our broader rural commercial portfolio complements and supports these ambitions.

To find out more and take a look at the other roles we have available in Assets & Property please see our careers page.

As our Commercial Portfolio Manager (Rural Portfolio), you will manage some of Dorset Council's most unique and community embedded rural assets - from agricultural land and smallholdings to rural business tenancies, workshops, depots and community buildings.

You will help ensure the rural estate contributes to:

• Stronger rural economies
• Better opportunities for farmers and rural enterprises
• Improved environmental outcomes
• Sustainable income generation
• Delivery of the Council's Farms Estate Strategy and SAMP

Your work directly supports Dorset's commitment to keeping farms in farming, creating opportunities for new entrants, and ensuring rural assets remain productive, sustainable and resilient for the long term.

Strong, proactive management of the rural commercial portfolio, ensuring leases, compliance requirements and landlord obligations are professionally managed.

High quality estate management advice, including rent reviews, valuations, lease negotiations, landlord consents, repairs, dilapidations and operational transactions.

Robust management of outsourced rural managing agents, ensuring contract performance, compliance and value for money.

Operational and financial oversight, including budgeting, forecasting, income management and KPI reporting - supporting delivery of the Farms Estate Strategy and wider council priorities.

Dorset's rural identity is one of its greatest assets. With a newly approved Farms Estate Strategy guiding investment, sustainability work and farming opportunities for the next generation, this is an exciting time to join us. You'll be part of a service modernising its estate management approach, raising standards and strengthening how the council partners with rural tenants and communities.

You bring strong estate management experience, ideally with exposure to rural, agricultural or countryside assets. You are commercially minded, personable, confident managing providers, and skilled at balancing service quality with strategic outcomes.

You are:

• A strong communicator with excellent landlord tenant relationship skills
• Confident managing complex rural cases and working at pace
• Skilled at negotiation, problem solving and delivering a high quality customer experience
• Comfortable managing budgets and performance in a multi-asset rural environment
• Professional membership (MRICS) is desirable but not essential.

Play a key role in delivering Dorset's new vision for its rural estate, supporting agriculture, strengthening communities and ensuring the countryside continues to thrive.

Regular travel across Dorset's rural estate is required. Suitable transport is essential.

For an informal conversation about this role, please contact Sam Hoida, Service Manager for Estate Management on ; or Jessica Maskrey, Head of Assets & Property on

This role is being advertised at the same time to the redeployment pool and internally due to the specialist skills and qualifications required; any applications from eligible redeployees will be considered first…