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- Tasks: Lead and scale Building Surveying and Engineering businesses with strategic oversight.
- Company: Dynamic building and construction consultancy group based in Manchester.
- Benefits: Competitive six-figure salary, performance bonuses, and potential equity opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a forward-thinking team and make a significant impact on business growth.
- Qualifications: MRICS or FRICS Chartered Building Surveyor with 10+ years of experience.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with strong career progression and leadership influence.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 84000 £ per year.
Location: Manchester HQ (hybrid – 1 day per week in Manchester office minimum)
Package: Circa 6 figure basic salary + performance bonus + long-term incentive scheme (equity potential)
Overview
An ambitious, multi-entity building and construction consultancy group is seeking a commercially astute and operationally strong Managing Director to lead and scale its Building Surveying and Engineering businesses. The group operates across three aligned but independently structured companies covering:
- Traditional Building Consultancy (commercial & residential)
- Surveying & Engineering (structural and commercial focus)
- Main Contracting (refurbishment, structural works & public sector delivery)
With offices in Manchester, London and the Midlands, the group works with major clients including NHS Trusts, local authorities, education providers, institutional landlords, and blue-chip occupiers. There is already strong inbound enquiry flow and an established client base. The requirement is for a senior leader capable of building infrastructure, driving utilisation and profitability, improving governance and quality standards, and scaling the professional services arms of the business to the next level. This is a Board-level opportunity with genuine strategic influence and a pathway to equity.
The Opportunity
The Managing Director will assume full operational leadership of the Building Consultancy and Surveying & Engineering businesses, while providing strategic oversight and alignment support to the group’s contracting arm where required.
Key revenue targets in the short term include:
- Building Consultancy: grow from c. £100k per month to £120k+ per month
- Surveying & Engineering: grow from c. £40k per month to £50k+ per month
Medium-term objective: double group revenue and profit over a 5-year period through improved delivery capacity, team expansion, margin improvement and structured business development. This role requires far more than technical surveying capability. It demands commercial ownership, operational structure, team leadership and strategic growth delivery.
Core Responsibilities
- Strategic & Commercial Leadership
- Translate the group’s 5-year growth vision into a structured, deliverable operational roadmap
- Lead quarterly strategic planning with the Executive Director and senior leadership team
- Implement scalable systems across billing, utilisation, performance metrics and reporting
- Improve margin control, consultant performance and cost discipline
- Develop and execute a proactive business development strategy alongside inbound marketing flow
- Represent the group at networking events, frameworks and tender interviews
- Revenue & Business Development
- Deliver £120k+ per month billing in the Building Consultancy arm
- Deliver £50k+ per month billing in the Surveying & Engineering arm
- Personally lead high-value client engagement and complex tender submissions
- Build long-term account management strategies for institutional and public-sector clients
- Identify and convert new frameworks, long-term contracts and multi-disciplinary opportunities
- Work alongside procurement support to win larger value tenders
- Operational Management & Infrastructure
- Take ownership of day-to-day running of the professional services businesses
- Oversee project allocation across the group’s businesses to ensure correct service alignment
- Introduce structured operational workflows and reporting processes
- Oversee finance coordination, monthly performance reviews and forecasting
- Improve internal systems around resourcing, logistics and delivery coordination
- Build capacity within the surveying and engineering teams to support growth
- Technical & Professional Oversight
- Act as senior Chartered Surveyor and signatory where required
- Oversee complex instructions including:
- Dilapidations (landlord & tenant)
- Technical due diligence & pre-acquisition surveys
- Building condition surveys & defect diagnosis
- Feasibility studies & project monitoring
- Structural appraisals and engineering-led investigations
- Provide oversight on high-rise compliance matters and structural considerations
- Mentor junior surveyors through APC and CPD frameworks
- Introduce consistent QA standards across all reporting
- Client Account Leadership
- Serve as senior relationship lead on key accounts (public sector, property managers, education, NHS and institutional clients)
- Ensure retention, repeat work and upsell of complementary services
- Resolve escalated project issues
- Implement structured onboarding for new major contracts
- Governance, Accreditations & Compliance
- Lead RICS firm registration and compliance strategy for Surveying & Engineering
- Maintain audit readiness and QA frameworks
- Standardise reporting quality across both businesses
- Implement structured CPD pathways and QPR frameworks
- Drive professional culture and accountability
Candidate Profile
Essential
- MRICS or FRICS Chartered Building Surveyor
- 10+ years’ post-qualification experience
- Proven leadership within a building consultancy, surveying practice or multi-disciplinary environment
- Demonstrable experience growing revenue and improving profitability
- Strong knowledge of commercial building surveying, dilapidations, defect diagnosis and project management
- Financial literacy and understanding of P&L ownership
- Experience managing teams and consultants
- Commercially confident and client-facing
Highly Desirable
- Experience scaling a business from SME to structured mid-sized consultancy
- Public sector tender and framework experience
- Structural engineering exposure or close collaboration with engineering teams
- Existing client relationships or fee-following capability
- Experience leading accreditation processes
Remuneration & Incentives
Circa 6 figure + basic salary (flexible for exceptional candidates), car allowance, commission structure (% of net profit), potential for shares scheme for exceptional candidates.
Managing Director of Building Surveying in Manchester employer: James & Partners
Contact Detail:
James & Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Managing Director of Building Surveying in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, seminars, and workshops to meet potential employers and other professionals. Don’t be shy; introduce yourself and share your passion for building surveying. Remember, it’s all about making connections!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a personal brand online by sharing insights and articles related to building surveying on platforms like LinkedIn. This not only highlights your knowledge but also attracts the attention of recruiters looking for someone with your skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews like it’s game day! Research the company thoroughly, understand their projects, and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their growth. Tailor your responses to reflect their values and goals, especially around revenue growth and operational excellence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got a range of opportunities that might just be the perfect fit for you. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm and commitment to joining our team in the building consultancy space.
We think you need these skills to ace Managing Director of Building Surveying in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Managing Director in Building Surveying. Highlight your leadership experience, commercial acumen, and any relevant achievements that align with our goals at StudySmarter.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your vision for scaling our Building Surveying and Engineering businesses and how you plan to drive profitability.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've grown revenue or improved operational efficiency in previous roles. Numbers speak volumes!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at James & Partners
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Managing Director, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of financial metrics. Be prepared to discuss how you've previously driven revenue growth and improved profitability. Bring specific examples of how you managed P&L and achieved targets in your past roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong leadership skills. Think about your management style and be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led teams, mentored junior staff, and implemented operational structures. Highlight any experience you have in scaling businesses or improving governance.
✨Understand the Market Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current trends in building surveying and construction consultancy. Be ready to discuss how you would position the company against competitors and what strategies you would implement to capture new business opportunities, especially in public sector tenders.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Since this is a board-level opportunity, expect to engage in strategic conversations. Prepare to articulate your vision for the company's growth over the next five years and how you would translate that into actionable plans. Think about how you can align operational goals with the overall business strategy.