Director of Surveying Operations

Role Profile
About us
HSB (UK and Ireland), is a leading specialist provider of engineering, technology and structural warranty insurance solutions, plant and equipment inspection services, and engineering-based risk management activities in the UK and Ireland.
HSB (UK and Ireland) consists of the parent company HSB Engineering Insurance Limited (HSBEIL) together with its two UK subsidiaries, HSB Engineering Inspection Services Limited (HSBEISL); and a regulated MGA, MD Insurance Services Limited (MDIS or MD Group), which trades as Premier Guarantee or LABC Warranty.
Collectively HSB is the UK and Ireland’s only group of companies solely focused on providing specialist engineering and technology insurance solutions and risk focused inspection services and assessments to its customers.
Please see our website for more information.
Job title
Director of Surveying Operations
Location
Homeworker
Division
Building Warranty Inspection Services
Reporting to
Managing Director
Job Purpose (Advert wording)
As part of the MD Group, The Director of Surveying is responsible for creating and implementing the business plan for Building Warranty Inspection Services. This includes driving growth, ensuring profitability, maintaining strong technical inspections for all sites, and supporting developers in building quality homes for homeowners. Reporting to the Managing Director, this role requires a strategic thinker with experience in the latent defect insurance market (or similar), strong skills in managing and developing Technical Compliance and Standards, exceptional leadership abilities, and a proven track record of delivering profitable business results..
The Director of Surveying is responsible for overseeing the Warranty Inspection Service within MD Group, comprising the following functions:
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National network of surveyors
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Major Projects, overseeing high-rise and high-value builds
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Technical Operations, including a small team of structural engineers
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Technical Auditing
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Surveyor Operations
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Training (External and Internal)
The role will lead the development and implementation of the strategic direction and focus of the division with respect to surveying service, technical capability and standards, in order to support MD Group in delivering on its ‘2025 and beyond ambitions’ for profitable growth and market leading customer experience. The role will provide motivational leadership to the division’s leadership team and wider employee base and ensure required technical standards are clearly articulated and embedded across the surveying teams.
The Director of Surveying will work closely with the Operations Director to monitor service performance and enhancement opportunities, identify field service innovation opportunities and agree plans for their development.
The Director of Surveying will work with the Commercial Director, to support strategic growth, pricing and retention initiatives to meet field capacity and appetite along with new services and value add consultancy propositions.
The Director of Surveying will work closely with the Director of Premier Guarantee Building Control (PGBC) on the provision of Building Control through multi-skilled surveyors, ensuring that capacity and leadership within the Regions works closely with the PGBC Leadership to deliver the optimum service for our customers.
Critical to success in this role, the Director of Surveying will champion together with HR a strong emphasis on diversity, talent and career development for team members as a great and inclusive place to work.
As a member of the Executive Leadership team of the MD Group, the Director of Surveying will contribute to wider organisational strategy and effective operational decision making.
Key Responsibilities:
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Implement the Building Warranty Inspection Division’s annual operational and strategic plans and priorities in line with Plan, agreeing goals with Managing Director / Board as applicable.
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Lead and oversee the performance and delivery against goals and objectives of the Building Warranty Inspection Division and its key functions – Technical and Surveying Operations, Training, Technical Auditing and Surveying functions.
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Robustly deliver the Inspection elements of the Inspection led Underwriting business, working closely with the Commercial Director and their Underwriting teams to improve collaboration and support the ongoing development of best practice LDI underwriting and pricing.
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Ensure the suitable provision of resources in support of audit surveys, technical, building and construction expertise to existing and prospective Developers and Surveyors, within the UK, maximising the performance of the Surveying teams.
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Manage and develop the business, ensure the achievement of all Key Performance Indicators, (KPIs) ensuring the company adheres to all Standards and relevant Codes of Conduct.
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Deliver an appropriate risk management regime ensuring key stage inspection approach is delivered consistently with quality.
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Continually develop and improve the Technical Manual and Knowledge Management approach to maintain professionalism and improve standards across the group.
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Build and mentor a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, commerciality, innovation, and excellence.
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Develop the Management team by empowering managers to demonstrate and deliver effective performance management in accordance with HSB guidance .
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Ensure field staff operate to the highest standards, providing a professional customer focused service across the Network, in line with Group standards
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Monitor industry developments and changes that may impact on the business, continually seeking opportunities to develop and expand the business.
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Understand, comply and continually develop all Quality Management System Procedures
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Collaborate with the relevant teams to design and launch innovative insurance products that meet market demand.
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Collaborate with the relevant teams to develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to monitor the effectiveness of surveying initiatives and adjust strategies as needed.
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Engage with key stakeholders, including customers, partners, and regulatory bodies, to promote the company's commercial interests.
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Provide reports on business performance to the MD, Executive Management Committee, the Senior Leadership Team, ExCo, Risk Committee and the MD Group or parent (HSBEIL) Board, as required.
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Ad hoc projects and initiatives as may be allocated by the MD or Board from time to time.
Skills & Experience
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Proven leadership experience in previous roles with extensive Commercial, Construction and Insurance experience. this could include Qualified Surveyor / Engineer (MRICS, MBEng, MIStructE, or similar.
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Preferably an in depth technical knowledge of the construction industry, Building Regulations and other relevant construction standards
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Ability to create not only good working relationships with other construction professionals but to be able to deal effectively with members of the public.
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Effective stakeholder management in a matrix reporting line environment; ability to quickly build relationships and establish credibility
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Ability to lead the development and interpretation of numerical trends and analysis, identify key issues based on this information to enable well-informed business decisions.
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Ability to communicate across all levels and articulate complex topics in a simple and easy to understand manner
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Good knowledge and understanding of the business, economic and construction market environment.
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Awareness and understanding of the main risks facing the construction warranty sector and ability to lead a team to identify, assess, monitor, control and mitigate risks
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Awareness and understanding of the regulatory framework, and the regulatory requirements in which the Company operates and the expectations relevant to the Director of Surveying Operations role.
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Experience with quality management systems and processes to ensure high-quality surveying services
Qualifications and Educational Requirements:
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University Degree or similar
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Preferable to be a Qualified Surveyor / Engineer (MCABE, MRICS, MBEng, MIStructE, or similar).
Personal Attributes
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The highest level of integrity and ethics, both professional and personal
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Strong analytical aptitude, fast learner
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Sets high standards, empowers and encourages accountability
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A committed, constructive and effective team player with proven ability to inspire, trust and motivate team members and colleagues towards achieving challenging goals
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Able to take a hands-on approach where appropriate to engaging with teams/stakeholders
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Strong financial acumen
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Critical thinker and ability to appropriately challenge and influence
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Committed to upholding the company values; forward-thinking, inventive, customer-centric, agile, analytical, technology-driven
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Strong leadership skills to oversee complex projects and ensure timely completion
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Ability to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At HSB, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion foster innovation and resilience and enable us to act braver and better. Embracing the power of DEI is at the core of who we are. We recognise diversity can be multi-dimensional, intersectional, and complex, so we want to build a diverse workforce that includes a wide range of racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender identities; economic and geographic backgrounds; physical abilities; ages; life, school, and career experiences; and political, religious, and personal beliefs. Additionally, we are committed to building an equitable and inclusive work environment where this diversity is celebrated, valued, and has equitable opportunities to succeed.
All candidates in consideration for any role can request a reasonable adjustment at any point in our recruitment process. You can request an adjustment by speaking to your Talent Acquisition contact.
Benefits
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25 days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays + Well-being days
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10% Pension contribution
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Eligibility for an Annual Bonus
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Private Medical
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Life Assurance
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EAP