At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead on improving council housing quality, safety, and sustainability through planned works.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking council dedicated to making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on housing while contributing to a carbon-neutral future by 2030.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education and RICS or CIOB membership required, with strong project management skills.
- Other info: Work in a vibrant city with rich history and excellent career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 46871 - 50998 £ per year.
Location: Civic Centre, St Peter's Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3JE
Salary: £46,871 to £50,998 inclusive annual salary + £5,000 market supplement + up to 19.7 percent employer pension contribution
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week - Flexible working options (including hybrid)
Are you an experienced building surveyor ready to lead on improving the quality, safety and sustainability of council housing? We’re recruiting a Senior Building Surveyor to join our Planned Works team, taking responsibility for delivering capital improvement programmes and planned maintenance projects.
This role offers the chance to shape major improvements to our housing stock, work with a dedicated team, and contribute to a high performing, resident focused service.
About the role
As our Senior Building Surveyor (Planned Works), you will lead the client side procurement and management of specialist contractors and ensure all planned works comply with statutory and regulatory requirements, including the Building Safety Act 2022. You will manage planned maintenance budgets, attend monthly core group and workstream meetings with our partnering contractor, and support resident engagement events.
You will also manage and support team members through regular performance and development discussions. In addition, you’ll contribute to policy updates, compliance monitoring and service improvements, working closely with colleagues across Housing to support the delivery of the Asset Management Strategy.
About you
You will be educated to degree level (or equivalent) and a member of RICS or CIOB, with experience delivering planned works programmes and individual capital works projects. You should have strong building contract management skills and experience in tendering and procurement, including an understanding of the Procurement Act 2023.
You’ll bring advanced knowledge of construction related legislation and best practice, including Health & Safety, Construction Design & Management 2015, the Building Safety Act 2022, Fire Safety Act 2021, the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR 2012), Decent Homes Standard, and Awaab’s Law. Applicants should understand the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, its underpinning principles and the key Consumer Standards, especially those linking to maintenance and refurbishment.
Surveying expertise is required in diagnosing building defects relating to both traditional and non-traditional forms of construction. Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills are essential, as is confidence in managing contractors, budgets and project delivery. You should also be proficient with IT systems such as MS Office, MS Project, CAD, housing management systems (e.g. MRI) and asset management software. IOSH and asbestos-related qualifications are required (or a willingness to obtain them promptly).
Join us in our aim to make St Albans City and District ‘carbon neutral’ by 2030, guided by our Sustainability and Climate Crisis Strategy, we put the environment at the heart of every decision. We live our values—trust, care, confidence, collaboration, and customer focus—while delivering sustainable services, reducing environmental impact and making a difference.
St Albans is a unique English Cathedral City with a colourful history which can be seen in the Roman remains and variety of beautiful architecture, heritage sites and conservation areas. Set within green belt, off the M25, A1M and M1 the District includes a cathedral, vibrant city centre and thriving villages. Our centrally located offices in the city are near to the station (London St Pancras 20 minutes), shops and restaurants. In short it is a great place to live and work.
In addition to working within a great team, you will have access to:
- 30.5 days basic annual leave (increasing with service) + bank holidays.
- Local Government Pension Scheme with current employer contribution up to 19.7 percent employer contributions
- Flexible working options
- Staff Parking Permit
- Reimbursement of professional fees
- Comprehensive development and training
- Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres
- Access to discounts and benefits via online platform
Additional Information
Disability Confident: We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets all the essential criteria for the post.
Safeguarding: This post is subject to a Basic Disclosure Check.
English Fluency: The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.
Closing date for applications: 01 March 2026
Interviews are scheduled for w/c: 09 March 2026
NOTE: Interviews are conducted throughout the application process. We reserve the right to close the vacancy at an earlier date and we strongly encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Senior Building Surveyor - Planned Works in Saint Albans employer: St Albans City & District Council
Contact Detail:
St Albans City & District Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Building Surveyor - Planned Works in Saint Albans
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the industry, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their values and recent developments in the housing sector. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable discussing your experience with planned works and how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Building Surveyor - Planned Works in Saint Albans
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Building Surveyor role. Highlight your experience with planned works, capital projects, and any relevant qualifications like RICS or CIOB membership. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about improving council housing and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality come through.
Showcase Relevant Experience: When filling out your application, be sure to showcase your experience with building contract management, procurement, and compliance with legislation. We’re keen on seeing how you've successfully managed budgets and projects in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at St Albans City & District Council
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the key legislation mentioned in the job description, like the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the role but also committed to compliance and safety.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare examples of past projects where you've successfully managed budgets and contractors. Highlight your experience with planned works programmes and how you ensured timely delivery while maintaining quality standards. This will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills are essential, think of instances where you've successfully collaborated with various parties. Be ready to discuss how you handle resident engagement events and ensure their voices are heard in the planning process.
✨Familiarise Yourself with IT Systems
Get comfortable with the IT systems mentioned, like MS Project and housing management software. If you have experience using similar tools, be prepared to share how they helped you in previous roles. This will show that you're tech-savvy and ready to hit the ground running.