At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage exciting refurbishment and minor projects in a vibrant university environment.
- Company: Major UK Higher Education institution with a diverse property portfolio.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Join a team dedicated to enhancing student experiences and supporting world-leading research.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on campus improvements and sustainability initiatives.
- Qualifications: Degree in Building Surveying or related field; project management experience preferred.
About the Organisation
Our client is a major UK Higher Education institution with an extensive and diverse property portfolio located within a vibrant city-centre environment. The estate comprises a broad mix of academic buildings, specialist research facilities, laboratories, libraries, teaching spaces, student residences, public-facing venues, sports facilities, and commercial assets. The portfolio includes both historic and listed buildings alongside contemporary developments delivered through significant capital investment programmes. The Estates Directorate is responsible for maintaining and enhancing a complex estate that supports world-leading research, teaching excellence, student experience, and sustainability objectives. The institution continues to invest significantly in campus improvements, estate modernisation, building performance, accessibility, and decarbonisation initiatives as part of its long-term estate strategy.
The Role
An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Building Surveyor / Minor Projects Manager to join a busy Estates Projects team responsible for delivering a wide range of refurbishment, lifecycle, compliance, and minor capital projects across the estate. Working across a complex operational environment, the successful candidate will manage projects from feasibility through to completion whilst providing professional building surveying expertise to internal stakeholders. Projects are typically delivered within occupied academic and operational buildings and may range from small reactive improvements through to significant refurbishment and upgrade programmes. Likely project types include:
- Teaching and learning space refurbishments
- Research and laboratory adaptations
- Accessibility improvement schemes
- Building fabric renewal works
- Roof replacement and façade repairs
- Listed building refurbishment
- Fire safety improvement projects
- Compliance-driven upgrades
- Student accommodation refurbishment
- Office and workspace reconfiguration
- Sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives
- Public realm improvements
- Lifecycle replacement programmes
Project values are typically between £20,000 and £1.5m, with responsibility for managing multiple projects simultaneously.
Key Responsibilities
Building Surveying- Undertake condition surveys and property inspections across a complex estate portfolio.
- Identify defects, building fabric issues and maintenance liabilities.
- Prepare technical reports, specifications and cost estimates.
- Provide expert advice on repairs, alterations, refurbishment and refurbishment strategies.
- Support estate condition assessment and lifecycle planning activities.
- Contribute to longer-term estate investment planning through technical recommendations.
- Lead minor capital and refurbishment projects from inception to completion.
- Develop project briefs alongside academic and professional service stakeholders.
- Produce scopes of work, specifications, programmes and budget forecasts.
- Manage project governance, delivery risks and project reporting requirements.
- Coordinate consultant teams and specialist contractors.
- Monitor project costs and programme performance.
- Oversee testing, commissioning, handover and close-out activities.
- Prepare tender documentation and technical specifications.
- Support procurement exercises in accordance with public sector regulations.
- Manage contractors operating within live environments.
- Administer project documentation and contractual processes.
- Review variations, valuations and final accounts.
- Ensure projects achieve value for money while maintaining quality standards.
- Ensure compliance with statutory obligations and University procedures.
- Support Client duties under CDM Regulations 2015.
- Ensure safe delivery of works within occupied teaching and research environments.
- Monitor contractor performance and site safety.
- Support wider compliance and building safety programmes.
Person Specification
Essential Experience- Experience working as a Building Surveyor, Project Manager or similar Estates professional.
- Proven delivery of refurbishment and minor works projects.
- Experience managing projects within complex operational buildings.
- Strong understanding of building pathology and construction techniques.
- Experience preparing specifications and tender documentation.
- Experience managing project budgets and programmes.
- Ability to engage effectively with a broad range of stakeholders.
- Experience within Higher Education, NHS or large public-sector estates.
- Experience working on laboratory, research, teaching or heritage environments.
- Knowledge of sustainability and decarbonisation projects.
- Experience managing works within listed buildings.
- Familiarity with JCT and NEC contracts.
- Understanding of asset management and lifecycle planning methodologies.
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Building Surveying, Construction, Property or related discipline.
- MRICS, MCIOB or equivalent professional accreditation.
- PRINCE2 or APM qualification.
- IOSH or NEBOSH certification.
Building Surveyor / Minor Projects Manager employer: Real
Join a dynamic and supportive team in London, where your expertise as a Children's CHC Nurse Assessor will make a meaningful impact on the lives of children with complex health needs. Our organisation prioritises employee growth through continuous training and development opportunities, fostering a collaborative work culture that values each team member's contributions. With competitive pay and a commitment to work-life balance, we offer an exceptional environment for dedicated professionals seeking rewarding careers in healthcare.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Building Surveyor / Minor Projects Manager
✨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 Real, 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 Building Surveyor / Minor Projects Manager at Real.
We think you need these skills to ace Building Surveyor / Minor Projects Manager
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 Real
✨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!
