Senior Surveyor - Land Rights - Grid & Infrastructure

Our independent, highly specialised Grid and Infrastructure team at Bidwells assists landowners affected by proposals from electricity infrastructure providers and renewables developers seeking to install electricity apparatus.

From the early days of large-scale onshore wind to today’s cutting-edge grid projects, we help secure land rights for vital infrastructure that powers a greener economy.

Due to growth, we are looking for experienced professionals to join our Grid and Infrastructure team based in Central Scotland (hybrid working). The position will work alongside our Head of Grid and other members of the team, on some of the country’s leading Grid and Infrastructure projects. The work is varied and at the forefront of this diverse market. We are looking for a Senior Surveyor and also for a Team Lead/Partner/Associate to help drive and shape the growth of this team.

You will work alongside our Head of Grid on high-profile projects, supporting landowners in negotiations with major stakeholders like Scottish Power, SSE, and renewable developers.

The role involves securing agreements for substations, cabling, and other essential infrastructure across a diverse range of landholdings.

This interesting, hybrid role blends office, home, and site-based work, drawing on your skills in rural property, client engagement, data management, and GIS. This role can be home-based and may suit someone based in and around Glasgow or Edinburgh.

What you’ll be doing:

• Visiting clients and advising on access rights, compensation claims and the practical issues arising from the installation of new infrastructure on their land.
• Negotiating the granting of land rights for electricity lines and cables and the sale of land for substations.
• Representing landowners in discussions with developers, utility companies and infrastructure providers.
• Liaising with clients, land agents, legal representatives, planning authorities, key stakeholders, contractors and other colleagues to prepare consent documents.
• Representing landowners during the construction phase of projects, and resolving disputes between landowners and utilities/developers.
• Collaborating with colleagues in our Grid & Infrastructure team on matters relating to high-profile national projects.
• Assisting in the establishment and growth of the new Central Scotland-based team.

About You:

The successful candidate for this role will ideally have the following attributes:

• Membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors or the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers or equivalent experience in land rights and property negotiations.
• Proven experience in land acquisition, wayleaves, or infrastructure consents – ideally within the electricity, energy or renewables sector.
• Solid understanding of land and property rights including a good knowledge of wayleaves, servitudes, land acquisition, valuation, and rural property, including farming and forestry.
• Good understanding of landownership systems in Scotland and practical knowledge of relevant land management matters.
• Good understanding of energy networks and their structure and governance.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills with a client-first approach.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with clients and developers at all levels.
• A full UK driving licence is required.
• Willingness to travel across Scotland to meet with clients and attend the Perth office periodically during the team’s initial setup phase.
• Good IT skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office packages.

The following would be advantageous:

• Experience of negotiating complex land agreements and robust knowledge of the relevant sections of the Electricity Act 1989 and the Land Compensation Acts .
• Experience of negotiating a range of voluntary land agreements and compensation claim, e.g. heads of terms for wayleaves, servitudes, leases, option agreements.
• Experience of high-profile infrastructure development schemes in particular ASTI projects.
• Understanding of the Scottish planning system, the Electricity Act 1989, structure of agricultural tenancies/ agreements, agriculture in Scotland

Why Bidwells?

We’re a different kind of business. Whilst we’re a major player in the property sector, Bidwells remains a privately-owned, independent Partnership, with an inclusive, entrepreneurial culture. We give our people autonomy and take the time to listen.

Bidwells is dedicated to fostering a truly inclusive culture of belonging, where everyone can thrive and succeed as their true and authentic selves at every level. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and positively encourage applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of race, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief. Flexible working requests are considered from day one.