Lead Investigator

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days' annual leave

Flexible leave policy

Wellbeing Day

Volunteering Day

Private medical insurance

Pension scheme

Job summary

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in the United Kingdom seeks a Lead Investigator to manage the most complex regulatory investigations in a high-risk, reputationally sensitive environment.

You will provide technical leadership, sign-off on investigations, and guidance to peers while upholding regulatory standards and KPIs. The role supports learning and cross-team capability improvement within a hybrid Birmingham setting.

Qualifications

• Significant investigation experience within a regulator or private practice.
• Experience with regulatory frameworks and case management systems such as D365.
• Strong understanding of good regulatory practice.
• Experience influencing internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience reviewing, quality assuring or signing off casework.
• Experience coaching or training others.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to manage a demanding workload.

Responsibilities

• Lead and be accountable for the most complex, high-risk and reputationally sensitive investigations, progressing cases in line with demanding KPIs and quality measures.
• Analyse and evaluate information relating to reported conduct concerns to identify regulatory risk and determine appropriate action, applying sound professional judgement.
• Operate confidently within a public-interest regulatory framework, recognising the role and remit of the investigation process.
• Produce clear, robust and high-quality written investigation documentation that sets the standard for others.
• Provide advice, guidance and direction through case discussions, advice sessions and peer support.
• Deliver quality assurance reviews, ensuring consistency with RICS Standards, Conduct Rules, Bye-laws and service expectations.
• Act as a technical coach and mentor to Investigation Specialists, supporting learning, capability development and confidence in decision-making.
• Work collaboratively with managers and peers to identify training needs, share knowledge and support continuous improvement.

Skills

Investigation experience

Regulatory frameworks

Stakeholder management

Coaching and mentoring

Documentation and reporting

Attention to detail

Tools

D365

Job description

Vacancy Name

Lead Investigator

Country

United Kingdom

Office Location

Birmingham - Hybrid (60% based in our Colmore Row office, B3 2AA / 40% remote)

About Us

RICS is a global professional body bringing together a worldwide community of professionals who shape how people experience the world - from the places we live and work to the infrastructure we depend on. Through trusted standards, respected qualifications and expert insight, our members support sustainable and resilient built and natural environments.

Working at RICS means contributing to fair, transparent professional standards and acting in the public interest. Our regulatory work plays a vital role in maintaining trust in the profession and public confidence in how standards are upheld worldwide.

Role Purpose and Key Responsibilities

Reporting to a Regulatory Investigation Manager, the Lead Investigator provides technical leadership and case management on the most complex, high-risk and high-reputational regulatory investigations.

This role combines investigation casework with technical oversight. You will also be responsible to provide advice and guidance to your peers, quality assure investigation work, and sign-off to ensure investigations meet regulatory standards, KPIs and service expectations.

While the role does not include line management responsibility, it carries accountability for quality, decision-making and supporting investigation capability across the team.

As a Lead Investigator, you will:

• Lead and be accountable for the most complex, high-risk and reputationally sensitive investigations, progressing cases in line with demanding KPIs and quality measures
• Analyse and evaluate information relating to reported conduct concerns to identify regulatory risk and determine appropriate action, applying sound professional judgement
• Operate confidently within a public-interest regulatory framework, recognising the role and remit of the investigation process.
• Produce clear, robust and high-quality written investigation documentation that sets the standard for others
• Provide advice, guidance and direction through case discussions, advice sessions and peer support
• Deliver quality assurance reviews, ensuring consistency with RICS Standards, Conduct Rules, Bye-laws and service expectations
• Act as a technical coach and mentor to Investigation Specialists, supporting learning, capability development and confidence in decision-making
• Work collaboratively with managers and peers to identify training needs, share knowledge and support continuous improvement

About You

You are an experienced investigator who is comfortable operating in high-pressure environments with complex subject matter and significant reputational impact. You bring confidence in making difficult judgement calls, while also supporting others through coaching, constructive challenge and quality assurance.

You are resilient, highly organised and motivated by public-interest regulation, with a strong commitment to fairness, professionalism and high standards.

You’ll bring:

• Significant investigation experience within a regulator or private practice, including complex compliance and/or regulatory matters
• Experience working with regulatory frameworks and case management systems, such as D365
• A strong understanding of good regulatory practice and the ability to apply this proportionately in a non-statutory, cross-border context
• Experience of influencing and constructively challenging internal and external stakeholders, including members of the public
• Demonstrable experience of reviewing, quality assuring or signing off casework
• Experience supporting the development of others through coaching, training, or technical leadership
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including drafting high-quality documentation
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to interpret complex information efficiently
• The ability to manage a demanding workload and remain effective in an environment where priorities can shift

Rewards and Benefits

RICS offers a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, financial security, and work-life balance, including:

• 25 days' annual leave plus public holidays
• Three additional days of leave when the office closes between Christmas and New Year
• Enhanced flexible leave policies (including Maternity, Paternity, and Moving House)
• A Wellbeing Day and a Volunteering Day
• Private medical insurance, income protection, life assurance, and pension scheme
• Access to staff-led community groups and wellbeing support

Equal Opportunity Employer

RICS is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and believe that our differences strengthen our organisation.

Please let us know if we can support you with any adjustments during the recruitment process.

Candidates must have the correct right to work in the country where the role is based.