Lead Desktop Vehicle Damage Assessor

Adam Curtis Specialist Automotive Recruitment Consultancy Ltd; Colchester; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Adam Curtis Specialist Automotive Recruitment Consultancy Ltd is seeking a Lead Desktop Vehicle Damage Assessor in Colchester. The role is office-based, with initial hands-on VDA duties and potential to recruit and lead a team as the department develops.

The candidate should have 5+ years' VDA/engineering experience, Audatex proficiency, and IMI VDA accreditation. AQP salvage competency and NVQ in Panel/Paint/MET are highly desirable. A defined progression path to Engineering Manager exists.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' vehicle damage assessment or automotive engineering experience.
• Essential AQP competency in salvage categorisation.
• Experience with Audatex or equivalent estimating platforms.
• IMI VDA accreditation or equivalent qualification.
• NVQ 3/4 in Panel, Paint or MET.

Responsibilities

• Review damage estimates using digital images and estimating platforms.
• Assess repair methods, parts selection and labour times.
• Challenge repair costs while ensuring safety and manufacturer compliance.
• Determine total-loss and salvage categories per Code of Practice.
• Act as technical escalation point for complex repairs and audits.
• Recruit, train and manage a team as the department grows.
• Develop SOPs and technical training materials.
• Establish performance measures on turnaround, savings and audits.

Skills

VDA experience

Audatex

Leadership

Negotiation

Communication

Education

IMI Vehicle Damage Assessor accreditation

NVQ Level 3/4 in Panel, Paint or MET

AQP salvage categorisation competency

Tools

Audatex

Estimating platforms

Job description

Lead Desktop Vehicle Damage Assessor

Location: Colchester, Essex
Salary: Circa £45,000 per annum
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am–5:30pm
Job type: Permanent, Full-time
Working arrangement: Fully office-based
Progression: Opportunity to develop into an Engineering Manager role

Our client, a growing provider of accident repair and claims management solutions, is looking for an experienced Lead Desktop Vehicle Damage Assessor (VDA) to establish and develop its new in-house engineering function.

Initially, this will be a hands-on position involving desktop vehicle damage assessment, estimate reviews and technical support. As claim volumes increase, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to recruit and lead a team, progressing into an Engineering Manager position.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Desktop VDA who wants to build a department from the ground up and have genuine influence over its systems, standards and future direction.

The Role:

As Lead Desktop Vehicle Damage Assessor, your responsibilities will include:

• Reviewing vehicle damage estimates using digital images and industry-standard estimating platforms.
• Assessing repair methods, parts selection and labour times.
• Challenging repair costs while ensuring repairs remain safe, appropriate and manufacturer-compliant.
• Determining total-loss and salvage categories in accordance with the relevant industry Code of Practice.
• Acting as the technical escalation point for complex repairs and engineering queries.
• Negotiating with repairers, engineers and other stakeholders.
• Supporting the development of internal and external engineering audit processes.
• Creating standard operating procedures and technical training materials.
• Establishing performance measures covering turnaround times, engineering savings and audit compliance.
• Recruiting, training and managing a team of Desktop Engineers and Audit Clerks as the department grows.

The Candidate:

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• A minimum of five years’ relevant vehicle damage assessment (VDA) or automotive engineering experience.
• Current AQP competency in the categorisation of vehicle salvage – essential.
• Strong experience using Audatex and/or similar estimating platforms.
• IMI Vehicle Damage Assessor accreditation or an equivalent qualification.
• An NVQ Level 3 or 4, or equivalent, in Panel, Paint or MET.
• Membership of, or progress towards membership of, the Institute of Automotive Engineer Assessors.
• Experience within an insurer, accident management company or third-party claims administrator.
• A strong understanding of ADAS calibration, EV and hybrid vehicle safety, structural repair methods and advanced vehicle materials.
• Excellent commercial awareness and negotiation skills.
• The ability to manage repair costs without compromising safety or quality.
• Previous supervisory, workflow-management or technical-auditing experience.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.

You should be comfortable working independently as the company’s first dedicated engineering hire, while also possessing the leadership skills and ambition required to build and manage a successful team.

What’s on Offer?

• A salary of circa £45,000 per annum.
• Monday-to-Friday working hours.
• A fully office-based position in Colchester.
• The opportunity to establish a new in-house engineering department.
• A defined progression route into an Engineering Manager role.
• Genuine influence over future recruitment, processes, training and technical standards.