Maintenance Building Surveyor

Occupying three beautiful campuses (Whiteknights, with its early 19th century planned landscape, London Road with its formal gardens and ceremonial Great Hall, and Greenlands, Henley-on-Thames, with its riverside garden landscape) the unique “University within a Park” setting of the University of Reading is an inspiring place to come to work.
As an Estates Building Surveyor, you will take the lead in managing complex repair works, planned replacements, and building fabric improvements across our dynamic university estate. In this pivotal role, you will collaborate closely with Estates Campus Planning, Campus Development, Sustainability, and Campus Operations teams. Your expertise will be crucial in providing advice and support on building fabric and maintenance issues to key stakeholders. With a detailed working knowledge of construction management, contracts, and relevant legislation, you will work autonomously, ensuring adherence to health & safety/risk management and procurement procedures.
Your responsibilities extend to managing external contractors, ensuring high-quality workmanship and delivering value for money. Additionally, you will contribute to the development and review of the Forward Maintenance Plan for the university estate, playing a key role in shaping its future. You will successfully manage a program of planned and reactive repairs and maintenance works, ensuring work is carried out on time and to budget. You will actively seek out opportunities for best practice and continuous improvement, promoting high standards of health and safety awareness.
You will review the findings of the annual building condition surveys, proactively monitor the state of the university's building stock, and ensure purchases comply with University procurement policies. Delivering demonstrable value for money on all tasks, you will play a vital role in shaping the future of the university's estate.
To qualify for this role, you should hold a relevant degree in Surveying and full membership of a professional institution such as RICS. A strong working knowledge of historic and modern construction methods, coupled with demonstrable experience in preparing specifications for repairs and maintenance works is necessary. A proven track record in delivering projects on time and to budget, along with experience in maintenance and management within a complex estate, is essential.
You will have/be:
- Well-organised, with the ability to work independently to manage, prioritise and balance competing deadlines within their own high case work load to deliver work in a timely, efficient and effective manner.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate in writing and verbally.
- Ability to manage works under a variety of procurement frameworks, through appropriate tendering routes, and using appropriate procurement systems.
- A relevant construction related degree or equivalent experience and Chartered membership of a relevant construction related organisation (RICS or CIOB).
- Demonstrable experience of delivering building fabric and/or services repair/enhancement works and general building surveying duties.
- Up to date knowledge of current CDM Regulations and guidance, British Standards, Buildings Regulations and Codes of Practice.
- Ability to accurately diagnose building fabric problems, and to understand and unpick sequential building repairs in order to identify the true origin of issues such as water ingress, structural movement or infestation.
- Demonstrable experience of budgetary management in relation to repairs and maintenance works.
Closing date: 10/03/2024
Interview date: In the week of 25/03/2024 (TBC)
Informal contact details Alternative informal contact details
Contact role: Deputy Head of Programme Maintenance Contact role: Campus Operations Director
Contact name: Peter knight Contact name: Emilia McDonald
Contact email: Peter.knight@reading.ac.uk Contact email: e.f.mcdonald@reading.ac.uk
Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, non-UK candidates who do not already have permission to work in the UK should note that by reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship will not be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.
The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.