Building Surveyor and Clerk of Works

The Role

BUILDING SURVEYOR & CLERK OF WORKS

Situated on the beautiful Moray Coast in the North of Scotland, Gordonstoun is widely recognised as the world leader in character education.  We have a co-educational community of over 500 students aged from 6-18, who are predominantly full boarding and are drawn from over 40 countries. 

Working at Gordonstoun comes with many benefits, where you become part of the family not just a workforce.  As well as a competitive salary we have a generous seven-week Holiday allowance annually for full-time staff and much more, including a diverse range of foods cooked by our award-winning chefs at our Refectory and free staff meals while at work.  

We enjoy over 150 acres of beautifully maintained Grounds with more than 50 buildings, consisting of domestic and non-domestic properties, which provide accommodation for students and staff.  These range from stunning listed buildings built in the 17^th century, to construction of new buildings such as our new Classroom Hub which was recently opened by The Princess Royal.  We are set to invest approximately £5m per year over the next 10 years as we transform our campus to continue to provide a sector-leading experience for our students and staff alike.

We are looking for a talented, enthusiastic and experienced person to take on the combined role of Building Surveyor/Clerk of Works - who has a proven track record and working knowledge in managing and supporting building and maintenance projects of various sizes and complexities.  An effective communicator, you will play a pivotal role in the delivery of an effective infrastructure improvement and management plan that supports the School’s strategic plan. The right candidate will take pride in the development of the School estate while ensuring student and staff experiences are positive, while upholding safety guidelines and complying with codes and regulations.  You will have a proven track record of completing projects from: assessment and production of scope of works, orchestrating and overseeing a tender process; and in conjunction with the Estates Programme Manager, quality assurance of the delivered project, and everything in between.  

Estates Building Surveyor/Clerk of Works Job Duties include:

Building Surveyor:

• Determine the condition of existing buildings, identify and analyse defects for repair
• Develop pro-active plans and schedules for routine, cyclical and preventative maintenance
• Prepare cost and time estimates that will allow resource planning for both in-house and outsourced works
• Organise documents for tender and advise on appointing contractors, designers and procurement routes
• Carry out feasibility studies
• In conjunction with the Estates Programme Manager, ensure projects are completed on budget and to schedule
• Advise clients on schemes and projects and determine requirements
• Interpret and prepare scheme designs with costings, programmes for completion of projects and specification of works
• Advise on energy efficiency, environmental impact and sustainable construction
• Deal with planning applications and advise on property legislation and building regulations

Clerk of Works:

• Agree joint quality control procedures with the constructor/contractor in accordance with the School’s requirements and audit such procedures and records to ensure that quality control inspections are effective and efficient
• Maintain a critical but constructive relationship with contractors’ supervisory staff
• Ensure that project briefs are sufficiently detailed by liaising with advocates, stakeholders and contractors
• Develop a communication plan including a reporting pack
• Carry out site visits at least weekly, to all sites to:
  1. Ensure that materials, construction standards, and site practices meet our requirements.
  2. Prepare a Health and Safety report.
• Record the outcome of these visits and include in the project reporting pack.
• Inspect finished work, prepare schedules of, and supervise, remedial works and provide certification of standards of work as appropriate 
• Where appropriate, schedule snagging items and defects at practical completion and at the end of the defect’s liability period
• Prepare specifications and issue direct orders to the contractor for various minor works and defects

The ability to: demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills, customer service skills, complete dynamic risk assessment will be key, as will a valid UK driver's license, and a desire to display initiative within a responsible, safe, professional environment are key as you strive to assist the Head of Estates in driving continuous process improvement across the Estates team.

Gordonstoun is building a team that is truly inclusive. We welcome applications from marginalised and under-represented groups. 

If you’re excited to learn more, please email recruitment@gordonstoun.org.uk or contact us on (01343) 837837.

About the School

Gordonstoun is one of the UK’s top independent schools for boarding and day pupils aged 4 ½ to 18. Gordonstoun has been the world leader in character education for over 80 years and was the birthplace of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

At Gordonstoun, we believe that a broader curriculum broadens not only minds but opportunities too. It is a belief that’s served both us and our students well for over 80 years and that has made Gordonstoun the world leader in character education. Our curriculum, which is unrivaled in breadth, helps every child to achieve their full potential.