A specialist UK-based building and project consultancy offering project services, building/technical surveying, and monitoring across commercial, industrial, and retail assets. Their dilapidations practice is a core service line, providing senior-level advice on landlord and tenant obligations, lease exit strategies, and negotiations. The business emphasises an agile, high-quality culture with senior involvement and a commercial mindset.
Role Purpose
You will lead and grow the dilapidations service line. As Director – Head of Dilapidations, you will be the technical and commercial lead for high-value dilapidations instructions (both landlord and tenant), set the strategic direction for the practice, manage and develop a team, drive business development and profitability, and ensure delivery of best-in-class, director-led service in the market.
Key Responsibilities
• Develop and execute the dilapidations strategy: define service proposition, target sectors, growth targets, market positioning.
• Act as senior technical lead on major dilapidations mandates: prepare schedules of dilapidations, advise on lease-exit strategy, assess tenant/landlord liability, lead settlement negotiations.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships (landlord and tenant) and win new business.
• Oversee full project lifecycle: instruction, survey, cost assessment, negotiation, settlement, ensuring quality, timeliness, and client satisfaction.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of senior and junior surveyors: allocate work, review deliverables, ensure high standards of technical, commercial, and reporting excellence.
• Collaborate with other service lines (building surveying, project services, monitoring) to deliver integrated client solutions and cross-sell where appropriate.
• Manage commercial performance of the dilapidations practice: fee income, budget, margin, resourcing, P&L contribution.
• Maintain specialist knowledge: staying abreast of lease law, repairing obligations, market precedent, case law, RICS guidance; ensure team compliance with professional and quality standards.
• Represent the company externally: industry events, thought-leadership, professional bodies.
• Ensure robust risk management, quality assurance, and compliance with internal processes and professional standards.
Skills & Experience Required
• Chartered Building Surveyor (MRICS or equivalent) with 10+ years’ experience in commercial building surveying with a strong specialism in dilapidations (landlord/tenant).
• Proven track record leading complex dilapidations instructions (schedule preparation, lease exit strategy, settlements) on both landlord and tenant sides.
• Deep technical knowledge of commercial leases, repairing obligations, lease breaks, and dilapidations settlements.
• Commercial acumen and business development capability: experience winning major mandates, managing client relationships, and growing a practice.
• Leadership experience: managing, mentoring, developing a team of surveyors, setting direction, and reviewing outcomes.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing, and senior-level client-facing communication skills.
• Strong report-writing, analytical, and problem-solving capability.
• Willingness to travel UK-wide and work flexibly to meet client demand.
• Clean driving licence.
Desirable
• Experience across multiple asset types (office, industrial, retail, mixed-use).
• Exposure to dilapidations dispute resolution or expert witness work.
• Previous senior/Director-level role in a surveying consultancy or dilapidations practice.
• Awareness of ESG/sustainability implications for lease exit/dilapidations.
• International or multi-jurisdiction experience a plus.
Salary & Benefits
Salary:
• Base salary: £90,000 – £120,000 per annum (depending on experience).
• Total potential remuneration (including bonus/incentives): £110,000 – £160,000+ per annum.
Benefits:
• Annual performance bonus linked to practice growth and profitability.
• Car allowance or company car + fuel/mileage scheme.
• 25–30 days annual leave plus public holidays.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Pension contributions (employer-matched).
• Private healthcare/medical insurance.
• Life assurance and income protection cover.
• CPD/training budget and chartered status support.
• Travel & subsistence reimbursement for client/site visits.
• Wellness and team culture initiatives.
What’s On Offer
• Senior leadership role with autonomy and the opportunity to shape the dilapidations practice.
• Exposure to high-profile, complex dilapidations matters across landlord/tenant roles.
• Entrepreneurial, collaborative culture with a smaller team and high impact.
• Competitive remuneration and strong benefits aligned with senior practice leadership.
• Flexible working, professional development, and high-profile market exposure.
How to Apply
If you’re a senior-level Building Surveyor with a proven track record in dilapidations and a passion for leading from the front, we’d love to hear from you.