Associate Building Surveyor in Thame

LOCATION: Studio (Thame, Oxfordshire) / Hybrid / Site-based as required

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Building Surveyor to establish and lead a new Building Surveying division within a multidisciplinary consultancy specialising in high-end residential property. This is a rare opportunity for a senior surveyor who wants more than a delivery role. You will shape a new service line from the ground up, working alongside architecture, interior design, landscape design, and project management teams to provide expert technical advice across some of the finest private residential projects. You will combine hands‑on surveying expertise with leadership, client management, and strategic input – helping to define the division, grow its offering, and build its reputation in the market.

As the lead for Building Surveying, you will be responsible for delivering and developing a broad range of surveying services across prime and super‑prime residential properties. You will advise clients from pre‑purchase and feasibility through refurbishment, construction, completion, and ongoing asset care. This role will suit someone who is equally comfortable diagnosing defects, advising private clients, administering contracts, building consultant relationships, and contributing to the wider growth of a business.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish and lead the Building Surveying division within the practice
• Deliver high-quality surveying services across luxury residential properties
• Undertake and oversee:
• pre‑acquisition surveys
• condition surveys
• defect diagnosis
• technical due diligence
• schedules of condition
• schedules of work and specifications
• contract administration
• site inspections and progress monitoring
• Provide technical advice on building pathology, repairs, refurbishment, compliance, risk, and maintenance
• Work closely with architects, project managers, interior designers, and landscape teams to support integrated project delivery
• Act as a senior client contact, building trusted long‑term relationships
• Prepare clear, well‑judged, and commercially robust reports and recommendations
• Coordinate external consultants, contractors, and specialists where required
• Help define divisional processes, service standards, fee structures, and quality procedures
• Support business development, identify new opportunities, and grow the surveying offer over time
• Mentor future team members as the division expands

Requirements:

We are looking for a confident and accomplished Building Surveyor with the technical depth and leadership ability to create and grow a new specialist division. You are likely to have:

• Significant UK building surveying experience, ideally 8+ years post‑qualification
• Strong experience in high‑end residential, prime residential, heritage or complex refurbishment projects
• A proven ability to manage clients, consultants and multiple live instructions
• Excellent knowledge of building defects, construction methods, repair strategies, and statutory compliance
• Experience preparing reports, specifications, schedules of work, and contract documents
• Strong commercial awareness and an entrepreneurial mindset
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A collaborative approach and the confidence to operate at senior level
• The ambition to build something, not just maintain it

Experience working with private clients, high‑value residential assets, listed buildings, or bespoke refurbishment projects would be particularly valuable.

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to join a design‑led consultancy with an established reputation in the residential market and take ownership of a new and important service offering. You will have the chance to:

• Build and lead your own division
• Work on exceptional high‑value homes and estates
• Collaborate with an in‑house multidisciplinary team
• Influence strategy, standards, and growth
• Develop a service that adds real value to clients and the wider business
• Play a visible leadership role in a growing consultancy

What We Offer:

• A friendly and supportive working environment from our Oxfordshire Studio in Thame, with the option for some home working
• Flexible approach to HR, with trust‑based flexible working hours driven by allocated tasks & milestones. This is delivered by self‑imposed priorities & disciplined time management by individuals
• CPDs, in‑house training & contribution to personal training & development
• Company pension
• Private Health Care
• Employee assistance programme & other well‑being benefits