deverellsmith
Senior Building Surveyor - Commercial Developer

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Senior Building Surveyor
The Role
A highly skilled Senior Building Surveyor is sought to take ownership of project delivery across a high-quality commercial property portfolio, managing refurbishment and development works from scoping through to completion.
Working closely with internal teams and external consultants, you will ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget and to a high standard, protecting asset value and driving income.
There is an exciting pipeline of work, including a £10m+ office refurbishment in central Birmingham, alongside another premium asset requiring significant investment.
We are looking for someone with strong technical and commercial judgement who takes real ownership and has the confidence to challenge contractors and consultants to ensure the best outcomes.
Main Duties
- Lead the planning and delivery of refurbishment, repair and development projects across the portfolio, taking ownership from inception through to completion and handover.
- Manage project programmes, budgets and cashflows, ensuring delivery aligns with business plans and agreed timelines.
- Maintain strong contract administration, controlling instructions, variations, approvals, notices, certificates and project records.
- Prepare and manage design, tender and contract documentation, overseeing procurement and contractor appointment.
- Ensure all contract documents, insurances and statutory requirements are in place prior to works commencing, including planning, Building Control, CDM and Party Wall matters.
- Maintain clear project controls, including change management, risk tracking, progress reporting and completion records.
- Provide technical and commercial advice on refurbishment, defects, project strategy and asset decision-making.
- Conduct inspections, diagnose defects and support pre-acquisition due diligence through review of surveys and technical reports.
- Appoint, manage and lead consultants, contractors and design teams, setting clear expectations and holding them to account.
- Manage statutory processes, including planning, Building Control, CDM compliance and Principal Designer duties where required.
- Oversee Party Wall matters, including surveys, notices and awards.
- Support tenant-related matters including alterations, repairs, dilapidations and maintenance.
- Negotiate and manage dilapidations claims and settlements.
- Work closely with Facilities Management to ensure maintenance spend is controlled and value-led.
- Support Asset Managers with technical input, project delivery and asset-level decision making.
- Ensure construction documentation is completed and maintained to a high standard for data rooms and audits.
- Communicate project risks, budget changes and programme updates clearly and concisely.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Requirements, Skills and Competencies
- Strong building surveying experience within commercial property.
- MRICS or equivalent qualification desirable.
- Proven experience in project delivery, contract administration and cost control.
- Strong knowledge of construction, refurbishment and defect diagnosis.
- Clear understanding of statutory requirements including CDM, Building Control, planning and Party Wall.
- Confident managing consultants, contractors and external advisers.
- Strong documentation and record-keeping discipline.
- Able to provide clear technical advice to internal stakeholders.
- Capable of managing multiple projects without losing control of detail, cost or programme.


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Personal Qualities and Standards
- Takes ownership of project outcomes and delivery.
- Maintains strong control of cost, programme and contractual detail.
- Acts with pace, professionalism and commercial judgement.
- Communicates clearly, confidently and directly.
- Challenges poor performance and avoids unnecessary cost.
- Holds contractors and consultants to account.
- Protects asset value and supports income recovery.
- Maintains accurate, audit-ready records.
- Balances quality, speed and cost effectively.
- Operates with confidence, accountability and high standards.
Benefits
- Highly competitive salary (DOE)
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays
- Office closure over the festive season
- Additional holiday with service
- Private Medical Insurance (medical history disregarded)
- Healthcare Cash Plan
- 5% company pension contribution
- 3x Life Assurance
- Cycle to work scheme (with on-site shower and bike parking facilities)
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Group Income Protection scheme
- Daily healthy fruit and snacks
- Comprehensive business expense policy (including lunches when travelling away from base location)
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