Surveying Lead – Civil Engineering (21409A9) Full Time

Referment is partnering with Kilnbridge to identify a Surveying Lead. This is a senior, Group level leadership role for a Chartered surveying professional who combines deep technical expertise in structural investigations and inspections with strong commercial awareness and significant stakeholder influence.

As the Surveying Lead, you will provide strategic oversight of structural and geospatial surveying across the Group. While survey teams remain embedded within operating companies, you will set standards, drive quality, support work winning and act as the technical authority on complex matters, specifically regarding structural investigations and testing.

You will work closely with the CEO and Operating Company MDs, ensuring surveying capability supports operational excellence and business growth. As the function evolves, you will build and scale a dedicated team while maintaining strong credibility with senior stakeholders across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop Group wide surveying capability with a focus on engineering surveying and inspections
• Establish and enforce surveying standards, methodologies and reporting
• Act as the technical authority for complex surveying issues, structural investigations, and testing
• Support tenders and identify follow on project opportunities through commercial insight
• Monitor resource allocation and commercial performance across the Group
• Audit survey data to ensure compliance, quality, and safety
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders

Essential Requirements

Professional Accreditation

• Chartered Member of CICES, RICS, IStructE or equivalent is essential
• Bridge Inspector Certification Scheme certified or willing to undertake on joining

Experience

• 10 plus years of technical engineering surveying experience
• 5 plus years of experience in a senior, group-level leadership role
• Proven experience in structural investigations, inspections, or testing, moving beyond standard survey delivery or monitoring
• Extensive experience working on major UK infrastructure projects (e.g. HS2, Crossrail, Network Rail)
• A stable career history with a track record of long tenures or clear internal progression

Technical and Commercial Capability

• Strong knowledge of surveying regulations, RICS Standards, CDM and HSE
• Forensic engineering exposure or experience in forensic investigations is highly desirable
• Proven ability to set standards, drive quality, and act as a technical authority to challenge non-compliant practices
• Strong commercial awareness, including budget management, procurement, and client liaison, with proven experience supporting tenders
• Expertise in engineering surveying and inspections rather than a primary focus on BIM or digital modeling

This is an opportunity to shape and elevate surveying capability within a leading engineering business, operating at senior leadership level with real influence across the Group.

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