Director of Surveying Operations

AXA UK; Birkenhead; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

AXA UK is seeking a Director of Surveying to lead Building Warranty Inspection Services. This strategic role involves overseeing national surveyor networks, managing risk, and driving profitable growth while fostering an inclusive work environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in construction and insurance with proven leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Commercial, Construction, and Insurance sectors.
• High integrity, accountability, and leadership qualities.
• Strong analytical skills with financial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Implement division’s annual operational and strategic plans.
• Lead performance and delivery of all key functions.
• Develop KPIs and metrics to monitor surveying initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Technical Knowledge

Relationship Building

Analytical Skills

Communication

Education

Qualified Surveyor (MRICS, MBEng, MIStructE)

Job description

As part of the MD Group, the Director of Surveying is responsible for creating and implementing the business plan for Building Warranty Inspection Services. This includes driving growth, ensuring profitability, maintaining strong technical inspections across all sites, and supporting developers in building quality homes for homeowners. Reporting to the Managing Director, this role requires a strategic thinker with experience in the latent defect insurance market (or similar), strong skills in managing and developing Technical Compliance and Standards, exceptional leadership abilities, and a proven track record of delivering profitable results.

Company

Premier Guarantee

Location

Birkenhead, United Kingdom

Location: This position is fully remote (with occasional travel to our Birkenhead head office)

The Director of Surveying oversees the Warranty Inspection Service within MD Group, including:

• National network of surveyors
• Major Projects, overseeing high-rise and high-value builds
• Technical Operations, including a team of structural engineers
• Technical Auditing
• Surveyor Operations
• Training (External and Internal)

The role leads the development and implementation of the division's strategic direction regarding surveying service, technical capability, and standards to support MD Group’s '2025 and beyond' ambitions for profitable growth and market-leading customer experience. It provides motivational leadership to the division’s leadership team and wider employee base, ensuring technical standards are clearly articulated and embedded across surveying teams.

You will work closely with the Operations Director to monitor service performance, identify innovation opportunities, and develop plans for their implementation, as well as collaborate with the Commercial Director on strategic growth, pricing, and retention initiatives to meet capacity and market demands.

Additionally, you will work with the Director of Premier Guarantee Building Control (PGBC) to ensure capacity and leadership within the Regions align with PGBC’s delivery of optimal service to customers.

Critical to success, you will champion diversity, talent, and career development within the team, fostering an inclusive and high-performing work environment.

As part of the Executive Leadership team, you will contribute to organizational strategy and operational decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Implement the division’s annual operational and strategic plans in alignment with company goals.
2. Lead and oversee performance and delivery of all key functions within the division.
3. Ensure collaboration with underwriting teams to improve practices and support development of underwriting and pricing strategies.
4. Provide resources for audits, technical expertise, and building and construction knowledge to support existing and prospective clients.
5. Manage and develop the business to achieve KPIs, adhere to standards, and uphold codes of conduct.
6. Maintain a risk management regime ensuring consistent, quality inspection processes.
7. Develop and improve the Technical Manual and Knowledge Management systems.
8. Build and mentor a high-performing, collaborative, and innovative team.
9. Empower managers to deliver effective performance management.
10. Ensure field staff operate to high standards, providing professional, customer-focused service.
11. Monitor industry developments and seek opportunities for business expansion and innovation.
12. Ensure compliance with Quality Management System Procedures.
13. Collaborate on designing and launching innovative insurance products.
14. Develop KPIs and metrics to monitor surveying initiatives and adjust strategies accordingly.
15. Engage with stakeholders to promote the company’s interests.
16. Report on business performance to senior leadership and boards.
17. Handle ad hoc projects as assigned.

Key Skills:

• Proven leadership with extensive experience in Commercial, Construction, and Insurance sectors; qualified Surveyor/Engineer (MRICS, MBEng, MIStructE, or similar preferred).
• Technical knowledge of construction, Building Regulations, and standards.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to analyze trends and make informed decisions.
• Excellent communication skills across all levels.
• Understanding of the construction market environment and sector risks.
• Experience with quality management systems.

Personal Attributes:

• High integrity and ethics.
• Strong analytical and quick-learning skills.
• High standards, accountability, and leadership qualities.
• Team-oriented, motivating, and inspiring.
• Hands-on approach when needed.
• Financial acumen and critical thinking abilities.
• Customer-centric, innovative, and adaptable to change.

Qualifications:

Preferably a Qualified Surveyor or equivalent.