Building Surveyor

Are you ready to take your surveying expertise to the next level? We have an incredible opportunity for a Building Surveyor to work on a diverse range of projects in some of the most breathtaking landscapes in England.

This is your chance to make a real impact – help us manage and grow our built estate to achieve our conservation and charitable goals.

Forget the constraints of private practice-no time sheets, no fee targets, no client chasing. Instead, you’ll focus on delivering exceptional work that matters.

What You’ll Do

Your role will be varied, challenging, and rewarding. You’ll:

• Carry out property condition surveys to shape priority work programmes.
• Advise on procurement and contracts, including JCT and NEC.
• Support capital building projects, renewable energy initiatives, and planning applications.
• Acquisitions: Condition reports for new sites and buildings.
• Risk Management: Develop systems to reduce legal, financial, and reputational risks.
• Provide hands-on advice to colleagues across reserves – we want you out in the field, not stuck behind a desk.
• Help us maximise resources with innovative, practical solutions.

You’ll work closely with our Surveying Team (11 rural surveyors and 3 building surveyors) sharing knowledge and collaborating with a strong team ethos.

The RSPB manages 116 nature reserves across England, covering 64,000 hectares and a property portfolio of over 313 buildings-from ancient monuments to visitor centres. Your expertise will help us maintain and develop this estate, supporting our mission to create a world richer in nature.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for an experienced Building Surveyor who can confidently manage a varied workload across a complex and geographically dispersed estate, while supporting our conservation goals.

Essential qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Chartered member of RICS (building) or another equivalent professional organisation.
• Significant demonstrable post qualification knowledge of building maintenance work and contract management and administration in the rural environment.
• Significant demonstrable post qualification knowledge of capital building works and contract management and administration in the rural environment.
• Demonstrable knowledge of project management principles and their application.
• Knowledge of line management and leadership skills.
• Ability to clearly communicate verbally, and in writing, complex estate management issues to all levels within RSPB and to external audiences.
• Ability to make quick, pragmatic and practical decisions/recommendations/alternatives based on sound analysis and reason.
• Ability to positively influence wider audiences and demonstrate credibility both internally and externally.

The Details

• Location: Home based in Eastern or South East England.
• Hours: Part-time (19 hours/week), permanent.
• Travel: Driving essential; hire cars provided. A full driving licence valid for use in the UK is required. Occasional overnight stays.
• Benefits: CPD support and annual membership fees for one professional body (e.g., RICS).

For further information please contact [email protected]

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

Please note that we will close this advert once sufficient applications have been received.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application.

Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.