At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead building and construction activities to create vibrant communities and ecosystems.
- Company: Join the Duchy of Cornwall, a mission-driven organisation focused on impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, a generous pension scheme, and wellbeing benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and travel.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in building resilient infrastructures and communities.
- Qualifications: Degree in construction or related field; chartered membership preferred.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
The
Duchy of Cornwall is on a mission to become a world-leading impact organisation, using its assets and convening power to deliver resilient, vibrant, and prosperous communities and ecosystems.
The Duchy now seeks an experienced
Head of Building to lead its mainland building, construction and infrastructure activity across a diverse portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
- Developing and delivering a mainland building strategy aligned to the Duchy’s strategic objectives, critical success factors and long-term stewardship principles.
- Owning the governance of the mainland building programme, including business cases, feasibility, prioritisation, approvals, procurement, delivery, benefits realisation and post-project evaluation.
- Establishing an effective commercial and procurement strategy that secures capacity, quality, resilience and value for money from consultants, contractors and the wider supply chain.
- Maintaining an effective assurance framework for legal, regulatory, environmental and health and safety compliance across the mainland built estate and building operations.
- Leading the built-estate contribution to net zero, climate adaptation and infrastructure resilience.
- Translating portfolio priorities into integrated, risk-based capital, revenue, maintenance and compliance programmes.
- Advising senior leadership on the condition, performance, resilience and investment needs of the built estate.
- Driving a consistent, proportionate pre-construction process across planning, design, utilities, tendering and mobilisation.
- Leading contract strategy, negotiation and administration.
- Providing visible, inclusive and accountable leadership to the mainland Building teams, setting objectives, managing workload and performance, and developing succession, capability and professional practice.
Skills and Experience
- Degree-level qualification in construction, building surveying, project management or a related discipline; chartered membership of CIOB or RICS is strongly preferred.
- Current and relevant health and safety accreditation, such as NEBOSH Construction Certificate, SMSTS or CSCS, together with practical knowledge of the Principal Designer role under CDM.
- Project management accreditation, such as PRINCE2 Practitioner, or equivalent evidence of leading complex, multidisciplinary construction programmes.
- Significant senior-level experience of shaping building or construction strategy and converting it into prioritised, funded and deliverable portfolio programmes.
- A strong track record of delivering new-build, refurbishment and maintenance projects across a range of values, contract forms and asset types, including rural, heritage and occupied properties.
- Demonstrable expertise in business cases, feasibility, procurement, tender documentation, contract administration, cost control, value engineering and pre- and post-project evaluation.
- Experience of establishing effective client, consultant and contractor teams and holding them to account for safety, quality, programme, cost and contractual performance.
- Sound understanding of net zero, building performance, and climate resilience and their implications for investment in existing and new assets.
- Proven experience of leading and developing a multidisciplinary team, setting clear priorities and managing performance, resources and competing demands.
- Strong strategic judgement, with the ability to analyse complex information, manage risk, challenge constructively and make clear recommendations to senior decision-makers.
- Credible and concise communicator who can build effective relationships with colleagues, tenants, communities, contractors, advisers, senior Duchy staff, non-executives and representatives of HRH’s office.
- Highly organised and resilient, able to operate collaboratively and autonomously, manage a diverse portfolio and secure timely outcomes.
- Full UK driving licence and a willingness to travel regularly across the mainland portfolio.
- 12% non-contributory pension scheme.
- Death in service benefit of 4x annual salary.
- Flexible working and wellbeing benefits.
- Supportive, people-first culture.
- Location
Flexibility in base location, with regular travel required across the Estate.
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Head of Building – Mainland employer: Point 13 Jobs
Merton College in Oxford is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment that values the contributions of its staff. With a focus on employee growth and development, the College provides opportunities for professional advancement while fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect. Located in the historic city of Oxford, employees enjoy a vibrant academic atmosphere and access to a wealth of cultural and educational resources.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Building – Mainland
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Point 13 Jobs, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Head of Building – Mainland at Point 13 Jobs.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Building – Mainland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Point 13 Jobs
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
