Interim Consultant - Housing Surveying Review
4 days ago
Reading
Interim Consultant – Housing Surveying Review, Market Research & Future Operating Model Outside IR35 | 4-month contract initially | £500–£600 per dayMainly remote with occasional site visits We are seeking an experienced independent consultant to lead a comprehensive review of our Housing Surveying function. This assignment will shape the future operating model of the service, ensuring compliance, resilience, and forward-looking capability across surveying, project delivery, and regulatory requirements. About the Assignment You will undertake a full diagnostic assessment of the current service, benchmark against comparable local authorities, and provide a costed, evidence-based roadmap for service improvement. Your work will directly support strategic decision-making and future workforce planning. Key Objectives • Review the current operating environment, service performance, and organisational structure., • Assess compliance, risk, and operational effectiveness., • Conduct market and peer benchmarking across at least six comparable councils., • Recommend future workforce, technology, process, and operating model requirements. 1. Discovery & Diagnostics • Analyse structures, workflows, documentation and 12–24 months of service data., • Assess demand, productivity, capacity, and quality., • Lead interviews/workshops with internal stakeholders and associated teams. 2. Compliance & Risk • Review compliance against key regulations including the Building Safety Act, CDM 2015, fire safety, asbestos, gas, electrical, and legionella requirements., • Assess competence, QA processes, and risk controls., • Identify gaps and provide mitigation recommendations. 3. Operating Model & Capacity Planning • Evaluate workforce capacity, caseloads, skills and future demand pressures., • Consider in-house, outsourced and hybrid delivery options., • Provide a structured options appraisal. 4. Process, Quality & Performance • Map and redesign processes to remove inefficiencies., • Recommend performance metrics and a full KPI framework., • Strengthen quality assurance and control mechanisms. 5. Technology & Data • Review current systems, mobile tools, data quality, and integrations., • Recommend improvements and future technology requirements., • Provide data standards, templates and governance guidance. 6. Commercial & Financial Analysis • Analyse current and demand-driven costs, inefficiencies, and value opportunities., • Recommend commercial and contracting models. 7. Market & Peer Benchmarking • Benchmark 6–10 councils on structure, compliance, productivity, technology, and workforce models., • Research emerging sector roles, regulatory changes, salary benchmarks and digital innovation. 8. Future Planning • Develop a future workforce strategy (3–5 years, with 10-year horizon)., • Provide a skills framework aligned to emerging building safety, disrepair, damp & mould and HHSRS changes., • Proven expertise in organisational review, research, analysis and diagnostic assessments., • Extensive knowledge of local authority housing, especially surveying, property safety, maintenance, and capital works., • Professionally qualified surveyor with CIOB or RICS accreditation (essential)., • Strong judgement, problem-solving skills and experience leading challenging discussions with operational and senior stakeholders.