Major Works Surveyor

The Methodist Church in Britain; Walton-on-Thames; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health cash plans

Hybrid working

26 days' annual leave (29 after 3 yrs)

Job summary

PA Housing is recruiting a Major Works Surveyor in the Property Services Repairs team to oversee complex repairs across London and the South East. You will diagnose, specify, procure and manage contractors, ensuring quality and timely delivery while handling budgets and safety requirements.

The role requires strong building pathology knowledge, experience with defect diagnosis, and the ability to coordinate with residents and colleagues in a hybrid working environment with regular office days.

Qualifications

• Relevant HNC, HND or degree in surveying or construction.
• Proof of qualifications uploaded with the application.
• Experience in managing complex repairs in social housing or occupied properties.

Responsibilities

• Manage live caseload of complex repairs from diagnosis to completion, within time and budget.
• Investigate defects and specify lasting solutions.
• Procure and manage contractors on progress, quality, safety and costs.
• Prepare specifications, estimates and Bills of Quantities.
• Carry out inspections and resolve defects before sign-off.

Skills

Domestic construction

Building pathology

Complex defect diagnosis

Contract administration

Education

HNC/HND or degree in surveying

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

MS Outlook

Remote working technology

Job description

This Major Works Surveyor post sits in the Property Services Repairs team at PA Housing, which manages repairs across London and South East homes. The role covers complex repairs from diagnosis and specification through procurement, contractor management and completion, including damp, structural, roofing and drainage defects. Hybrid working is offered alongside an out-of-hours rota, with two to three office days a week once settled. Applicants need a relevant HNC, HND or degree, and proof of qualifications must be uploaded with the application.

What the job involves

• Manage a live caseload of complex repairs from diagnosis to completion, on time, within budget and to standard, keeping accurate case records
• Investigate complex defects and repeated failures, identifying causes and specifying lasting solutions
• Manage insurance repairs, complex damp and water ingress, structural, drainage, groundworks, roofing, cavity wall and major adaptation works
• Visit properties and prepare repair specifications, schedules of work and technical reports
• Prepare and review estimates, quotations, cost plans and Bills of Quantities
• Procure and directly manage contractors on progress, quality, health and safety, scope, budget and timescales
• Carry out pre-start, progress and completion inspections, resolving defects before sign-off
• Manage variations, contractor valuations, interim payments and final accounts within delegated authority
• Challenge poor contractor performance and make sure corrective actions are completed
• Manage tenant alteration requests and Party Wall enquiries, giving technical advice
• Coordinate access with Surveying Administrators and keep residents informed, including where decants are needed
• Respond to complaints and customer concerns, taking technical issues through to resolution

Qualifications

• HNC, HND or degree in surveying or construction, with proof uploaded with the application

Experience

• At least two years managing technically complex repairs in social housing or occupied residential property, from investigation to completion
• Directly managing contractors on performance, progress, quality, health and safety and defects
• Experience under JCT Measured Term Contracts or similar arrangements
• Positive resident outcomes in complex, disruptive or sensitive repairs

Skills & knowledge

• Strong technical knowledge of domestic construction, building pathology and complex defect diagnosis
• Pre- and post-contract work, including specifications, schedules of work, estimates, cost plans and Bills of Quantities
• Contract administration, including variations, valuations and final accounts
• Strong quality control and inspection skills
• Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and remote working technology

Checks & eligibility

• Standard DBS check
• Full UK driving licence, with access to a vehicle for regular travel

Other

• Highly organised, prioritising several complex cases and deadlines
• Challenging contractor performance and negotiating solutions
• Clear communication with residents, colleagues and contractors
• Out-of-hours rota

What’s offered

• High street discount schemes
• Health cash plans
• 26 days' annual leave, rising to 29 after three years, with the option to buy more
• Flexible bank holidays
• Car leasing scheme
• Hybrid working, with two to three office days a week once settled
• Optional nine-day fortnight scheme