Building Surveyor

Cobalt Recruitment; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Cobalt Recruitment is assisting a Birmingham-based property organisation to hire a Building Surveyor who will operate beyond traditional consultancy, gaining exposure to the commercial and operational side of real estate.

In this role, you will support a diverse portfolio, overseeing maintenance, major works, and refurbishment while coordinating with contractors, leaseholders and property managers to protect value and drive improvements.

Qualifications

• Experience in building surveying, property maintenance, refurbishment or major works.
• Confidence identifying building defects and recommending remedial solutions.
• Understanding of property legislation, building regulations and health & safety requirements.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships with contractors, property managers and other stakeholders.
• A proactive, organized approach with the confidence to take responsibility for your own projects.

Responsibilities

• Managing planned maintenance, major repairs and refurbishment programmes across the portfolio.
• Preparing specifications and schedules of works, from smaller maintenance projects to substantial property improvements.
• Overseeing contractors and external consultants, monitoring quality, progress and delivery.
• Working with property management colleagues to diagnose building defects and recommend practical solutions.
• Providing technical advice on insurance claims and reviewing specialist reports.
• Liaising with tenants, leaseholders and residents' associations regarding planned and ongoing works.
• Ensuring compliance with landlord and tenant legislation, building regulations and health and safety requirements.
• Supporting the management team to resolve property challenges and the smooth running of the portfolio.

Skills

Building surveying

Property maintenance

Refurbishment

Major works

Defect diagnosis

Regulations & health & safety

Contractor relationships

Communication

Education

Property/Building surveying qualification

Job description

Building Surveyor – Commercial Property & Portfolio Management

Location: Birmingham

Sector: Commercial & Residential Property Management

Looking to explore a different side of Building Surveying?

Are you a Building Surveyor currently working within consultancy, considering what else your technical expertise could open doors to?

Pperhaps you've spent the last few years undertaking surveys, producing reports and advising clients, but you're keen to gain a broader understanding of how property portfolios are actually managed, maintained and improved.

We're working with an established property organisation offering an exciting opportunity for a Building Surveyor to move beyond the traditional consultancy environment and gain hands‑on exposure to the commercial, operational and strategic side of real estate.

This isn't simply another consultancy surveying position. It's an opportunity to become directly involved in the management of a diverse property portfolio, working closely with property managers, contractors, leaseholders and other stakeholders to influence how buildings are maintained and improved.

Why consider this opportunity?

A different perspective on the property industry

Traditional consultancy provides fantastic technical foundations, but this role offers exposure to the other side of the relationship. Rather than simply advising a client and moving on to the next instruction, you'll gain a closer understanding of how property decisions are made, how maintenance budgets are managed and how technical surveying expertise supports the wider operation of a property portfolio.

Build commercially valuable experience

You'll develop knowledge that extends beyond technical building surveying, including contractor management, major works programmes, property expenditure, landlord and tenant matters, insurance claims and the financial considerations involved in maintaining property assets.

It's the kind of experience that can provide a broader foundation for a long-term career across building surveying, property management and the wider real estate industry.

Take real ownership of your work

Rather than being limited to producing recommendations, you'll play an active part in seeing works through from initial identification to completion. You'll liaise with stakeholders, oversee contractors, monitor progress and help ensure properties are maintained to the appropriate standards.

Work closely with the people making property decisions

You'll work alongside experienced property management professionals, gaining valuable insight into the commercial and operational considerations behind managing a portfolio of assets.

Variety beyond traditional surveying instructions

From major refurbishment and planned maintenance projects to insurance matters, contractor negotiations and leaseholder consultation, you'll be exposed to a broad range of challenges that make every day different.

The Role

As Building Surveyor, you'll provide technical surveying expertise across a portfolio of residential and commercial properties, supporting the ongoing maintenance, repair and improvement of the assets.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing and coordinating planned maintenance, major repairs and refurbishment programmes across the portfolio.
• Preparing specifications and schedules of works, from smaller maintenance projects through to more substantial property improvements.
• Overseeing contractors and external consultants, monitoring quality, progress and delivery.
• Working closely with property management colleagues to diagnose building defects and recommend practical solutions.
• Providing technical advice on insurance claims, liaising with loss adjusters and reviewing specialist reports.
• Supporting contractor appointments, reviewing quotations, assessing costs and helping ensure value for money.
• Liaising with tenants, leaseholders and residents' associations regarding planned and ongoing works.
• Managing relevant statutory consultation processes and ensuring compliance with landlord and tenant legislation, building regulations and health and safety requirements.
• Working alongside the wider management team to resolve property challenges and support the smooth running of the portfolio.

Who would this suit?

We're interested in speaking with Building Surveyors who have developed a strong technical foundation and are keen to broaden their commercial experience.

You may currently be working within a traditional surveying consultancy, multidisciplinary practice, property management organisation or another property-focused environment.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• Experience in building surveying, property maintenance, refurbishment or major works.
• Confidence identifying building defects and recommending appropriate remedial solutions.
• An understanding of relevant property legislation, building regulations and health and safety requirements.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships with contractors, property managers and other stakeholders.
• A proactive, organised approach with the confidence to take responsibility for your own projects.

A relevant property or building surveying qualification would be advantageous, although practical experience and technical capability are equally important.

Why make a move?

If you've built your career in consultancy, you may be wondering what the next step looks like beyond another surveying practice.

This opportunity offers something different: the chance to combine your technical surveying expertise with a much broader understanding of how real estate operates commercially.

You'll gain exposure to property decision-making, contractor relationships, cost management, long-term maintenance planning and the day‑to‑day challenges of managing buildings as part of a wider property portfolio.

For a Building Surveyor looking to diversify their experience, broaden their skill set and explore a different side of the property industry, this could be a particularly interesting career move.