Senior Building Surveyor

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Building Surveyor
Department: Inclusive Economy & Sustainability
Location: Swindon
Contract Type: Temporary / Interim
IR35 Status: Inside IR35
Compliance: Standard Compliance

Overview

Client is seeking an experienced Senior Building Surveyor to provide specialist technical expertise across its housing and corporate property portfolio.

The successful candidate will lead complex inspections, condition surveys, defect investigations and property improvement works, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, technical standards and best practice.

You will also oversee high-value contracts and work packages, monitor contractor performance, manage budgets and provide authoritative technical advice to internal teams, senior management, stakeholders and residents.

Key Responsibilities

Lead detailed building inspections and condition surveys across housing and corporate property assets, identifying defects, risks and compliance issues.

Diagnose complex and high-risk building defects and recommend appropriate remedial solutions.

Prepare and manage technical specifications, drawings, tender documentation and contractual documentation for property works.

Represent the Council in housing disrepair matters and property-related litigation, providing technical evidence and professionally prepared reports.

Manage and monitor contractors, consultants and suppliers, ensuring works are delivered within agreed quality, cost and programme requirements.

Administer contracts using relevant JCT and NEC contractual frameworks.

Oversee work packages and significant contract values, managing budgets, expenditure, financial controls and value for money.

Ensure compliance with Building Regulations, HHSRS, CDM 2015, British Standards and relevant health and safety legislation.

Undertake Client and Principal Designer responsibilities under CDM 2015 where required.

Monitor contractor performance through KPIs, SLAs, inspections and quality assurance processes.

Approve specifications, assess completed works, authorise payments and sign off works in accordance with delegated authority.

Provide expert technical advice to tenants, leaseholders, elected members, senior management and internal departments.

Support and mentor junior technical officers and contribute to service improvement and strategic asset management.

Essential Skills & Experience

Degree-level qualification or equivalent in Building Surveying, with relevant professional experience.

Substantial experience working as a Senior Building Surveyor or in a comparable technical property role.

Strong knowledge of UK Building Regulations, relevant legislation, technical standards and industry guidance.

Proven experience managing complex building projects, contracts and programmes of work.

Experience preparing technical specifications, drawings, tender documentation and contract documentation.

Strong understanding and practical experience of JCT and NEC contract forms.

Experience undertaking condition surveys, building inspections and complex defect diagnosis.

Knowledge of housing and corporate property maintenance, repairs and improvement programmes.

Understanding of CDM 2015, health and safety requirements and construction risk management.

Experience managing contractors, consultants, budgets and high-value work packages.

Strong communication, stakeholder management, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

Membership of, or eligibility for membership of, RICS and/or MCIOB.

Postgraduate qualification in Building Surveying.

IOSH Managing Safely, NEBOSH Certificate or an equivalent health and safety qualification.

Experience working within a Local Authority or public-sector property environment.

Experience dealing with housing disrepair claims and property-related litigation.

Experience delivering projects across RIBA Stages 1–7.

Additional Information

The role involves managing significant contract and work package values, potentially ranging from £20,000 to £5 million per annum.

You may be required to undertake site visits throughout the Borough and attend meetings outside the Borough.

Occasional evening, weekend and public holiday working may be required to meet service needs.

The position requires strong technical judgement, commercial awareness and the ability to work independently while influencing stakeholders at different levels