Associate Director - Building Surveyor​/Building Control

Associate Director - Building Surveyor / Building Control

Tonbridge Hybrid (2 days remote)

£75,000 + £4,800 car allowance + mileage

Commercial, Heritage & High-End Retail Projects

Are you ready to operate at Director level from day one, with a clear and realistic path to full Directorship? Do you enjoy leading people, shaping decisions, and being trusted to help run a business — not just deliver projects? Are you a Chartered Surveyor looking for a role where your experience, judgement, and commercial thinking genuinely matter?

Our client is a highly regarded, specialist building consultancy based in Tonbridge, Kent, working across London and the South East on premium projects — including flagship retail environments such as Harrods, listed buildings, and complex commercial refurbishments.

As part of a planned succession strategy, they are now seeking an Associate Director who will operate at Director level from the outset. This is not a stepping-stone role — it is a senior leadership position for someone who can take a holistic view of the business, combining technical authority with people leadership, client confidence, and commercial awareness.

The successful candidate will work closely with the existing Directors, with a clear and credible route to full Directorship within 1-2 years.

This is a senior, hands‑on leadership role with responsibility across projects, people, and the wider operation of the business. You will:

• Lead and deliver building surveying and building control projects across high‑end retail, heritage, and commercial environments
• Act as Principal Designer under CDM regulations, ensuring safety and compliance from concept through to handover
• Take ownership of leading, mentoring, and developing a team of six, setting standards and supporting progression
• Represent Approved Inspector / National Building Control functions, ensuring compliance with evolving post‑Grenfell legislation and the Building Safety Act
• Act as a trusted senior advisor to clients, contractors, and regulators
• Contribute to operational leadership, decision‑making, and the strategic direction of the business
• Help shape how the consultancy grows — influencing systems, processes, and service delivery
• Work on standout projects including luxury retail rollouts, listed building restorations, and complex commercial refurbishments across London

This role will suit someone who enjoys running part of a small business, not just managing their own workload.

• Chartered Surveyor (MRICS, MCABE, MCIOB or equivalent)
• Strong background in Building Surveying, with solid Building Control experience
• Good working knowledge of the Building Safety Act 2022 and current regulatory frameworks
• Experience acting as Principal Designer and managing CDM compliance
• Proven experience leading or mentoring others (formal or informal)
• Background in commercial / private sector projects (retail, hospitality, heritage, commercial)
• Confident communicator, comfortable operating at client and senior leadership level
• Full UK driving licence (travel across London & South East required)

The client is flexible on background — what matters most is capability, leadership mindset, and long‑term potential.

• Director‑level responsibility from day one, with a genuine succession plan
• Clear progression to full Directorship within 1‑2 years
• High‑quality, interesting project portfolio — not volume‑driven work
• Real influence over how the business operates and evolves
• Supportive, knowledgeable, down‑to‑earth team culture
• Autonomy, trust, and professional respect
• Ongoing CPD and professional membership support

• £75,000 basic salary
• £4,800 car allowance
• 45p per mile travel expenses
• Hybrid working (Tonbridge base, London & South East projects)

Interested? If you are a Chartered Building Surveyor ready to step into a true leadership role with Director‑level influence, we would love to hear from you