Rural Associate/Partner (Cambridge/Oxford/Norwich)

Overview

In this role you will advise landowners and estates on compulsory purchase and related processes within Bidwells’ Rural Private Estates team. You’ll manage cases from announcement to settlement and work with planners, solicitors, valuers, and environmental specialists to secure fair compensation and strategic outcomes. You’ll help develop client relationships, support business development, and contribute to a culture of growth and professional development. This is a senior, market-facing opportunity within a leading firm that values client-focused, cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Pay / Benefits

• competitive salary and group bonus
• real living wage employer
• up to 8% matched pension
• 28 days holiday + bank holidays
• birthday off, wellness day, paid sabbaticals
• private medical cover, medicash plan, lifestyle discounts

Responsibilities

• Act as principal adviser for clients affected by compulsory acquisition or statutory powers
• Provide guidance on compulsory purchase rights, compensation entitlements, and procedural matters
• Manage a portfolio of cases from scheme announcement through settlement
• Collaborate with planners, solicitors, valuers, and environmental specialists
• Coordinate with other teams to support client strategy and claims
• Develop and maintain long-term client relationships
• Support business development, identify new opportunities, and assist tenders and pitches
• Ensure profitability and efficient delivery of instructed work
• Serve as a subject matter expert delivering accurate advice and knowledge

Key requirements

• MRICS qualified
• Strong understanding of CPO compensation principles
• Ability to interpret plans and statutory documents
• Excellent negotiation and advocacy skills
• Strong analytical and report-writing capabilities
• Commercial awareness and ability to identify client value
• Strong IT skills, especially Microsoft Office
• Numerate and proficient with spreadsheets
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Friendly, professional, team-oriented, with ability to manage deadlines and workload
• Strong communication skills across multiple media and levels of business

• negotiation
• communication
• teamwork
• client relationship management
• proactivity
• Microsoft Office

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