Building Compliance Advisor (Maternity Cover) in London

Building Compliance Advisor (Maternity Cover)

Location: London-based. Site visits / Homeworking with a requirement to occasionally work at Head Office (Vauxhall, London)

Salary: £44,643 per annum (Inclusive of £3000 London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement)

Join Refuge and help keep our homes, workplaces and services safe and compliant.

Refuge is the UK’s largest specialist provider of services for survivors of domestic abuse and gender-based violence.

We are looking for a knowledgeable and proactive Building Compliance Adviser to join our Property Services Team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a property professional with experience of building safety, statutory compliance and property management to play a key role in ensuring our diverse property portfolio remains safe, secure and compliant.

Working closely with operational teams, senior leaders, contractors, regulators and external partners, you will act as Refuge’s in‑house compliance expert, providing technical advice and ensuring the organisation remains informed and compliant with changing legislation, regulations and industry standards.

About the role

As Building Compliance Adviser, you will lead on building safety and property compliance across Refuge’s portfolio.

You will monitor statutory and regulatory requirements, maintain compliance data and certifications, update policies, deliver training and provide expert advice to colleagues across the organisation.

You will also support the management of property agreements, oversee compliance reporting and returns, liaise with insurers and regulators, and help ensure robust governance arrangements are in place.

The role combines technical expertise, stakeholder engagement and practical problem‑solving, making it ideal for someone who enjoys variety and wants to make a meaningful difference.

Key responsibilities

• Building Safety and Property Compliance
• Act as Refuge’s corporate lead for building safety, fire risk assessment (FRA) compliance and wider property compliance matters.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory and industry developments and advise the organisation on emerging requirements.
• Update and develop property policies to ensure ongoing compliance and best practice.
• Deliver training and guidance to colleagues on building safety and compliance requirements.
• Support services to develop effective local compliance arrangements.
• Undertake property inspections and produce reports, recommendations and action plans.
• Maintain oversight of compliance certifications, records and documentation.
• Monitor compliance performance and provide assurance through reporting and quality checks.
• Provide technical advice and support on property‑related issues across the organisation.
• Property Management
• Maintain and develop Refuge’s property database.
• Ensure property agreements are centrally stored and effectively managed.
• Monitor key contractual dates and obligations and support proactive compliance with lease and agreement requirements.
• Supply Chain and Contractor Management
• Support or lead the procurement of consultants and contractors.
• Develop briefs, specifications and project requirements.
• Agree costs, programmes and contract terms.
• Monitor contractor performance and maintain effective supplier relationships.
• Support service teams with property‑related projects and deliveries.
• Reporting and Governance
• Prepare reports for senior leaders, boards and other stakeholders.
• Complete property compliance and regulatory returns, including the annual NROSH return.
• Act as a key contact for insurers, providing property and compliance information as required.
• Collect, analyse and present compliance data to demonstrate statutory and regulatory compliance.
• Customer Service and Teamwork
• Provide a responsive and professional property support service to colleagues.
• Build positive working relationships across the organisation.
• Provide team cover where required and participate in out‑of‑hours emergency response arrangements.

About You

We are looking for someone who has

• Experience of building safety, compliance, property management or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of statutory and regulatory property compliance requirements.
• Experience interpreting legislation and translating requirements into policies, procedures or operational practice.
• Experience managing compliance data, certifications and reporting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical matters clearly to non‑technical audiences.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied workload independently.
• Experience working with contractors, consultants and external stakeholders.
• A proactive approach to problem‑solving and continuous improvement.
• The ability to travel across London and surrounding areas as required.

Why work for Refuge?

At Refuge, every role contributes to supporting women and children who have experienced domestic abuse.

In return, we offer a rewarding and supportive environment where you can develop your career while making a genuine difference to people’s lives.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity, promotes equality and supports the wellbeing and professional development of our colleagues.

Additional Information

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Refuge is committed to safeguarding and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

As part of our recruitment process, DBS checks are undertaken in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice.

The level of check will be appropriate to the responsibilities of the role.

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to Refuge’s values, sustainability objectives, confidentiality requirements and our approach to equity, diversity and inclusion.

#J-18808-Ljbffr