At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead asset surveys across operational sites, ensuring accurate data collection and management.
- Company: Join VIVO Defence, a dynamic team supporting the UK military with innovative facilities management.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, private medical cover, and a competitive pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; we value diversity and inclusivity in our workforce.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on asset management in the Defence sector while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in asset surveying and a relevant technical qualification are essential.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 50000 £ per year.
VIVO provides facilities management and accommodation maintenance for the UK military and its partners. VIVO embodies both experience and innovation.
We put our Customers and Families First. They are the driving force behind everything we do. We drive forward improvements for them to ensure the service they receive, whether reactive repairs or a major project, is completed safely and on time. In order to achieve this, we have 4 core values: open, caring, agile and collaborative. These are at the heart of everything we do.
Location: Midlands to cover sites across England. 12 month FTC Salary: £48,000-£50,000
Are you an experienced asset surveyor with a strong eye for detail, practical technical knowledge and the confidence to lead others in the field? Do you enjoy being hands-on while also taking responsibility for the quality and delivery of a wider programme?
VIVO Defence is looking for a Senior Asset Surveyor to play a key role in improving the accuracy and reliability of asset information across the UK Defence built estate. This is a 12-month fixed-term contract and offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact on how VIVO understands, manages and plans for the future of the Defence estate.
You’ll be responsible for delivering an asset survey programme across selected VIVO-managed sites, getting out onto operational sites to identify assets, verify their locations, check existing records, apply asset tags and capture accurate information. Your work will provide the foundations for better maintenance planning, lifecycle management, compliance and future investment decisions.
This is much more than a desk-based data role. You’ll be hands-on in the field, personally undertaking the more complex surveys and making decisions where asset information is unclear, incomplete or requires technical judgement. At the same time, you’ll supervise and support less experienced surveyors, allocating straightforward and repeatable tasks, providing clear direction and checking the quality of their work.
You’ll monitor progress against the survey programme and keep the Asset Management team informed of delivery, risks, access challenges and any issues requiring intervention. You’ll also work closely with site teams, operational colleagues, technical specialists, customers and DIO representatives to ensure surveys can be completed safely and effectively across a diverse and operational estate.
A major part of the role will be ensuring that the information collected is accurate, consistent and usable. You’ll challenge incomplete, duplicated or inaccurate records, identify gaps in asset information and ensure tagging and data capture are completed in line with agreed standards. You’ll use digital tools, spreadsheets, mobile devices and survey systems to capture information in a structured format ready for asset system updates and further analysis.
You’ll also have the opportunity to help shape how VIVO carries out asset surveys in the future. By identifying recurring issues and opportunities for improvement, you’ll support the development of better survey templates, data standards, checklists and quality assurance processes.
As a senior member of the survey team, you’ll lead by example. You’ll coach and develop junior surveyors, provide constructive feedback and establish consistent standards across the team. You’ll need to combine technical credibility with a calm, practical approach to problem solving, particularly when working within live operational environments where access, safety and site requirements can change.
About You
You’ll have significant practical experience of personally inspecting, identifying and validating assets across complex operational sites, together with experience of leading or supervising survey activity. You’ll understand how important accurate asset information is and will have the attention to detail needed to spot discrepancies, missing information and inconsistencies in existing records.
You’ll ideally have experience working within a Defence, Government, infrastructure, healthcare, utilities or similarly regulated estate, although this is not essential. Experience of asset tagging, asset hierarchies, data assurance or improving asset information would be highly beneficial.
You’ll have a recognised technical, engineering, building services, facilities management or asset management qualification, or equivalent demonstrable experience. An HNC, HND or degree in a relevant discipline would be advantageous, as would experience using CAFM, CMMS, mobile survey or asset data platforms.
You’ll need to be comfortable leading a team while remaining actively involved in the survey work yourself. You’ll be organised and methodical, confident managing competing priorities and able to communicate clearly with surveyors, site teams, customers and senior colleagues.
Most importantly, you’ll be practical, technically credible and site focused. You’ll take safety seriously, work professionally in operational environments and be comfortable travelling regularly across the UK Defence estate. You’ll need BPSS clearance as a minimum, with additional clearance where required for specific sites or customer environments.
If you’re looking for a role where your technical knowledge, leadership skills and attention to detail can directly improve the quality of asset information across a major Defence estate, we’d love to hear from you.
This role will require SC Clearance, as well as national travel to sites across England as the business requires.
What We Offer
- 25 days annual leave
- Single private medical cover
- Car allowance
- Life assurance 2x annual salary
- 6% employee matched pension contribution
At VIVO, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. Therefore, we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool.
We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working and operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly a Disability Confident Leader. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.
Senior Asset Surveyor employer: Serco
Serco is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and development. As a Ward Host Assistant at University Hospital Southampton, you will enjoy flexible shift options and the chance to make a meaningful impact on patient care, all while being part of a team that values hospitality and customer service excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Asset Surveyor
✨Get Your Foot in the Door
Temporary roles in construction often rely on quick recruitment, so make sure to visit local recruitment agencies that specialise in the construction sector. They usually have a go-to list of companies that need staff urgently, helping us connect with potential employers faster.
✨Leverage Community Connections
Construction is all about connections! Check out local trade events, networking gatherings, or even social media groups focused on your area. Engaging with the community can lead to insider knowledge about temporary job openings that might not be advertised anywhere else.
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Solid Portfolio
Even for temporary gigs, a visual portfolio can really set you apart. Take photos of previous projects you’ve worked on, or if you're fresh in the industry, show examples of your work during training. This can help us demonstrate our hands-on experience to potential employers, like Serco.
✨Apply Directly at Construction Sites
Don’t overlook the power of walking directly into construction sites. Many temporary positions are filled on the spot, so it’s worth popping by local sites and having a face-to-face chat. Bring your CV and be ready to impress, as companies like Serco appreciate proactive candidates ready to jump in when needed.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Asset Surveyor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Experience:In the construction game, having hands-on experience matters! Be sure to showcase any previous temporary roles or projects you've worked on in your CV. Mention specific skills like safety protocols, tools you're familiar with, or types of construction work you've done – this will help you stand out!
Showcase Certifications and Training:If you've got any relevant certifications or training like a CSCS card or health and safety courses, flaunt them! Include them in your CV and mention them in your cover letter. It shows that you're not just ready to get to work but that you've got the essential safety knowledge, which is super important in the construction industry.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:For a temporary role, flexibility is key! In your cover letter, make sure to clearly state your availability – are you ready to start immediately? Can you work various shifts? Letting Serco know how adaptable you are might just get you the edge over other candidates.
Keep it Concise and Clear:When applying for temporary roles in construction, employers often appreciate brevity. Keep your CV and cover letter clear and to the point. Focus on the skills and experiences that align most with what Serco is looking for. Avoid unnecessary fluff to make it easier for them to see why you’re the perfect fit!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco
✨Show Off Your Safety Knowledge
In construction, health and safety is non-negotiable. Get comfortable with specific safety regulations like COSHH or Working at Height – you might get asked how you’d handle risk assessments or unsafe conditions. We need to show that we prioritise safety above all else.
✨Be Ready for Hands-On Scenarios
Expect practical questions or even a mini test where you’ll need to demonstrate basic skills. They might set up a scenario and ask how you would approach a specific task. Let’s prepare by brushing up on our trade skills and thinking through past projects we’ve worked on.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary role, they’ll want to know if you can adapt quickly to different teams and situations. Let's think about past experiences where we've had to adjust on the fly. This will show we’re ready to hit the ground running!
✨Highlight Your Previous Experience
Temporary roles often require hitting the ground running, so make sure to have a few stories lined up that showcase your relevant experience in construction. We want to emphasise skills that might not be on our CV—like teamwork and problem-solving when things don't go to plan.