Clerk of Works in London

The Clerk of Works plays a pivotal role in ensuring that Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM), reactive maintenance and minor works are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest standards of quality, workmanship and contractual compliance. Working in close partnership with the Contract Manager, Client Property Services, Building Surveyors, Building Supervisors and operational teams, the postholder will provide technical oversight, quality assurance and day-to-day site supervision across the Client Estate. The role is fundamental to protecting and preserving nationally significant historic buildings, ensuring that all maintenance activities respect the integrity of the estate while meeting the operational needs of the Client and the requirements of the NEC3 Term Service Short Contract.

Key Responsibilities

• Quality Assurance
  • Inspect completed building fabric maintenance works to ensure compliance with contract specifications, statutory requirements, industry best practice and Client quality standards.
  • Undertake a minimum of five joint quality inspections per site each month with the Client Property Services team.
  • Identify defects, poor workmanship and non-compliant works, ensuring corrective actions are implemented promptly.
  • Monitor the quality of work undertaken by both directly employed operatives and specialist subcontractors, maintaining consistently high standards across the contract.
  • Ensure repairs preserve and protect the historic significance, character and fabric of listed buildings and heritage assets.
• Site Supervision
  • Provide day-to-day technical supervision of operatives delivering planned, reactive and minor works.
  • Ensure works are completed safely, efficiently and in accordance with agreed programmes and contractual timescales.
  • Monitor labour allocation, productivity and resource utilisation across multiple sites.
  • Coordinate site access, deliveries and operational activities within occupied and sensitive Client buildings.
  • Assist with programming works around ceremonial events, operational requirements and estate activities to minimise disruption.
• Contract Compliance
  • Ensure all works are delivered in accordance with NEC3 Term Service Short Contract, Service Information, Client policies and procedures, relevant statutory legislation, Health & Safety legislation, and heritage and conservation requirements.
  • Monitor compliance with contractual response times and service level requirements.
  • Ensure CAFM-generated work orders are completed within agreed priorities.
  • Verify that operatives only undertake works instructed by authorised Client representatives.
  • Support the Contract Manager in maintaining contractual compliance and performance standards.
• Health, Safety & Compliance
  • Promote a proactive and positive health and safety culture across the contract.
  • Ensure all works are undertaken in accordance with approved Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS).
  • Carry out regular site safety inspections and monitor safe systems of work.
  • Report accidents, incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions, ensuring appropriate corrective action is taken.
  • Ensure compliance with Health & Safety at Work Act, Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM), Fire Safety legislation, COSHH Regulations, and Client Asbestos Management Procedures.
  • Verify that operatives consult the asbestos register before commencing any intrusive works.
• Heritage Protection
  • Ensure maintenance activities protect the historic significance of Grade I, Grade II*, Grade II Listed Buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments.
  • Monitor working methods to prevent damage to historic building fabric, architectural features and sensitive interiors.
  • Liaise with Client Property Services representatives where specialist conservation techniques or approvals are required.
  • Promote best practice in heritage maintenance and conservation across all work activities.
• Meetings & Stakeholder Management
  • Attend and actively contribute to weekly operational meetings, monthly contract review meetings, site coordination meetings, quality review meetings, and event planning meetings.
  • Provide regular updates on helpdesk performance, planned maintenance activities, labour resources, health & safety, quality inspections, upcoming estate events, outstanding defects and remedial actions.
  • Develop and maintain effective working relationships with Client Property Services, Contract Owner, Client Building Surveyors, Client Building Supervisors, Pareto Contract Manager, Pareto operational teams, specialist subcontractors, and other Client contractors and stakeholders.
• CAFM & Documentation
  • Monitor and manage work orders through the CAFM system.
  • Ensure maintenance records are completed accurately and in a timely manner.
  • Verify inspection reports and quality audits are fully completed.
  • Maintain comprehensive quality assurance records.
  • Support asset information updates where required.
  • Ensure all maintenance documentation complies with contractual and Client requirements.
  • Contribute to KPI reporting through accurate record keeping and performance monitoring.
• Customer Service
  • Deliver a professional, responsive and customer-focused service at all times.
  • Minimise disruption to Client staff, residents, visitors and estate operations.
  • Respond positively and proactively to customer enquiries and concerns.
  • Promote a culture of continuous improvement, professionalism and service excellence.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience supervising building maintenance or construction activities.
• Previous experience as a Clerk of Works, Site Supervisor, Building Inspector or similar technical role.
• Experience inspecting workmanship across multiple construction trades.
• Experience working within occupied buildings and operational environments.
• Experience managing quality assurance and inspection processes.
• Knowledge of planned preventative and reactive maintenance contracts.
• Experience using CAFM or other computerised maintenance management systems.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working within heritage, conservation or listed buildings.
• Experience administering or delivering NEC contracts.
• Facilities Management contract experience.
• Experience working within public sector, government or high-security estates.

Knowledge

The successful candidate will possess a sound understanding of building construction methods, traditional building materials and techniques, heritage conservation principles, planned preventative maintenance (PPM), reactive maintenance, quality assurance processes, building pathology and defect diagnosis, health & safety legislation, CDM regulations, asbestos awareness and management, fire safety legislation, NEC3 contracts, CAFM systems, and Microsoft Office applications.

Skills

• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong inspection and quality assurance skills.
• Effective written reporting and documentation.
• Excellent verbal communication.
• Strong organisational and planning abilities.
• Analytical problem-solving skills.
• Effective time management.
• Relationship and stakeholder management.
• Sound decision-making capability.
• Ability to prioritise competing operational demands.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will demonstrate professionalism, integrity and discretion, a proactive and self-motivated approach, calmness under pressure, excellent customer focus, flexibility and adaptability, a strong work ethic, a collaborative approach to teamwork, commitment to continuous improvement, and respect and appreciation for heritage environments.

Working Conditions

Site-based across the Client's London Estate. Frequent travel between multiple historic sites. Occasional attendance outside normal working hours to support operational or ceremonial activities. Security clearance is required for this role. Strict compliance with Client confidentiality and security procedures is essential.

Overall Objective

To provide professional technical oversight, quality assurance and site supervision, ensuring that all building fabric maintenance works across the Client Estate are delivered safely, efficiently and to exceptional standards. The postholder will play a key role in protecting nationally significant heritage assets while supporting operational excellence, contractual compliance and outstanding service delivery.