Head of London Building Surveying

The role

We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Head of London Building Surveying to lead and grow our London Building Surveying team. This is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving business performance, developing and strengthening client relationships, identifying new market opportunities, and building a high-performing team that delivers exceptional client outcomes across the Residential, Retail, Office, Commercial and Leisure sectors.

Working closely with the Senior Leadership team and Partners across the business, you will be responsible for setting the direction of the London Building Surveying service line, ensuring sustainable growth, developing talent, and enhancing our market presence within London and the wider South East region.

The successful candidate will bring a strong track record of leadership, business development and team management within a Building Surveying or multidisciplinary consultancy environment. You will be a recognised industry professional with the credibility and commercial acumen to develop strategic client relationships, win new business, attract and retain talent, and drive the continued success of the London Building Surveying practice.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious leader to shape the future direction of an established and growing team, while playing a key role in the wider growth strategy of the business.

Key deliverables

- Lead and develop the London Building Surveying team to achieve growth, utilisation and profitability targets.
- Deliver fee income commensurate with a senior leadership position.
- Develop and implement the business plan for the London Building Surveying practice.
- Expand market presence through strategic business development and client relationship management.
- Maintain and strengthen existing client relationships while securing new instructions.
- Ensure delivery of exceptional service standards across all projects and commissions.
- Contribute to wider Building Consultancy and business objectives.
- Support recruitment, retention and succession planning within the team.
- Drive graduate and APC development programmes.
- Provide accurate management reporting, forecasting and pipeline updates.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, governance requirements and professional standards.

Responsibilities

Leadership & People

- Lead, manage and inspire the London Building Surveying team.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on client service, commercial success and professional excellence.
- Coach, mentor and support Surveyors, Senior Surveyors and Graduates.
- Lead recruitment activities and workforce planning to support business growth.
- Champion professional development, APC progression and talent retention.
- Promote innovation, best practice and knowledge sharing across the business.
- Act as a visible leader within the London office and wider Building Consultancy business.
- Attend external networking events, keep abreast of market developments and innovation, and share these regularly with the team and wider business.

Clients & Business Development

- Develop and maintain strong relationships with key clients, developers, investors, lenders and professional contacts.
- Lead strategic business development initiatives and identify new revenue opportunities.
- Prepare and present fee proposals, tender submissions and client presentations.
- Act as a senior ambassador for the business within the London property market.
- Attend industry events and build external networks to enhance market profile.
- Drive growth across existing accounts while securing new instructions and framework appointments.
- Work collaboratively across service lines to maximise cross-selling opportunities.
- Contribute to the management of existing client relationships and securing new business opportunities.
- Enhance the firm's reputation through successful client outcomes and market engagement.

Financial & Commercial Management

- Take responsibility for achieving revenue, profitability and utilisation targets for the London Building Surveying team.
- Manage team workload, resource allocation and succession planning.
- Accurately forecast revenues, business opportunities and work pipeline.
- Monitor team performance against financial and operational objectives.
- Identify and implement initiatives to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
- Contribute to annual budgeting, business planning and strategic growth initiatives.
- Ensure delivery against client and corporate contractual requirements.

Systems & Governance

- Ensure adherence to company procedures, quality standards and professional regulations.
- Monitor operational and project-related risks across the service line.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives within the Building Consultancy business.
- Maintain compliance with RICS standards and internal governance requirements.
- Ensure consistent service delivery and client experience across all team activities.
- Evaluate, adapt and improve standards, techniques and procedures.

Requirements

Essential Qualifications

- Degree qualified in Building Surveying or a related discipline.
- MRICS qualified.
- Full UK driving licence.

Essential Experience

- Proven leadership experience within a Building Surveying practice or multidisciplinary consultancy.
- Strong track record of successfully leading and growing teams.
- Demonstrable success in business development, client acquisition and revenue generation.
- Significant experience within Building Surveying and Building Consultancy services across commercial and residential property sectors.
- Experience managing major client relationships and strategic accounts.
- Commercially focused with strong financial management skills.
- Experience preparing fee proposals and winning new instructions.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and clients.
- Strong understanding of the London property market.
- Experience working within a highly client-focused environment.
- Strong presentation and networking skills.

Benefits

- Hybrid working - to give you the flexibility you need
- Holidays: 30 days
- Car allowance
- Private health insurance - family cover
- Enhanced auto enrolment pension scheme - to help you save for the future
- Life assurance - to protect your loved ones should the worst happen
- Interest free season ticket loans
- Cycle to work scheme - discounted bicycles
- Flu and eye care vouchers - to keep you healthy
- Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 health & wellbeing support
- Help@Hand Remote GP app - to give you and your family access to medical experts quickly
- Platform hosting 1000s of discounts at your favourite retailers, restaurants, supermarkets, leisure & days out venues, gyms and more
- Family & wellbeing policy - including enhanced maternity pay, menopause support, neurodiversity support, carer support, company sick pay and much more

Plus a Flexible benefits policy that allows you to pick and choose additional benefits as below:

- Purchasing up to 5 days additional holiday
- Discounted gym membership
- Discounted dental insurance
- Discounted private medical insurance for family cover
- Discounted critical health insurance and more

We recognise that diversity in all its forms including but not limited to race, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, and background - enriches our workplace and enhances our ability to serve our clients and community effectively. Our goal is to create a culture where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work, knowing their unique perspectives are welcomed and appreciated. We actively seek applicants from all backgrounds and want you to get in touch even if you don’t have all the skills we have asked for - we will support you with the development you need.

Recruitment agencies

Cluttons will only pay agency fees where a signed agreement is in place and the agency has been instructed by a member of our HR team.

We do not accept speculative or unsolicited CVs from any third party, including recruitment agencies. Any CVs submitted to Cluttons or any of our employees outside of our formal recruitment process, including those sent directly to hiring managers or other employees, will be deemed unsolicited and will not be eligible for any agency fees.