Principal Building Surveyor / Senior Building Surveyor - Team Leader
Education Sector

Lead your own team, run your own projects and help shape where the business goes next.

Our client is a well-established, education-focused building surveying consultancy with a strong reputation and a loyal base of repeat clients across schools, academies and colleges. They're now looking for a Principal Building Surveyor to lead their Projects Team and sit on the company's Leadership Team.

This is a senior role with real influence. You'll own projects from start to finish, build and develop your own team, and have a direct say in the firm's strategy and growth. It suits a chartered surveyor who is ready to move up from running projects to leading a team.

Why this role stands out

• A seat at the top table. You'll join the Leadership Team and help shape strategy, policies and business growth. Your voice will count.
• Work that matters. Your projects will improve the places where children and young people learn.
• Real autonomy. You'll lead projects your way, from the first client brief to handover.
• Varied work. Projects range from £20k to £4m and include classroom refurbishments, new-build classroom blocks, extensions, estate improvements, roof replacements and boiler replacements.
• A team to build. You'll line manage, mentor and develop a team of Building Surveyors and set the tone for a collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Flexibility. You'll split your time between the office and home, with site visits across the region.
• A close-knit business. It's a small professional team, so you won't get lost in a big corporate structure.

What you'll be doing

• Leading projects through feasibility, option appraisals, design, specification, procurement and contract administration.
• Acting as Contract Administrator on JCT contracts, including valuations, certificates and variations.
• Being the main contact for education clients and building long-term relationships that bring repeat work.
• Allocating resources across the team, running weekly allocation and team meetings, and keeping technical standards high.
• Managing project budgets, fee recovery and fee targets.
• Advising on Building Regulations, Planning and CDM compliance.
• Supporting business development through bids, networking and representing the company at industry events.

What you'll bring

• A degree in Building Surveying or a related discipline.
• Chartered status (MRICS, MCIOB, MCIAT or equivalent).
• At least 5 years' post-qualification experience in building surveying consultancy.
• A track record of delivering projects on your own from inception to completion, including design, specification writing and JCT contract administration.
• Experience managing and developing people.
• Strong technical knowledge of construction, building pathology and refurbishment.
• Confidence with clients and good commercial awareness.
• A full UK driving licence.

It would be great if you also had

• Experience in the education sector.
• Knowledge of education funding streams such as CIF bids and SCA programmes.
• An understanding of asbestos (ACM) risks in schools.
• Experience of winning work and contributing to business development.