Operations Director - Building Control

About Us

Solving the great societal challenges of our time is more relevant, demanding and inspiring than ever before. At Sweco we bring together experts with different perspectives and skills to develop solutions that address the challenges of urbanisation, harness the positive power of digitalisation and make societies more sustainable.

Sweco Building Standards offers clients a class-leading regulatory & consultancy Building Standards service that is specifically co-ordinated to meet the responsibilities being imposed through the Building Safety Act and BCAR processes.

We pride ourselves on our quality and technical expertise that underpins our full suite of services, our approach is to listen and engage with our clients to anticipate the regulatory issues that will need resolving and work in partnership to deliver a successful project.

We are currently looking for an Operations Director to join our Building Standards team in Chelmsford.

What does the role involve?

Reporting to the Department Manager you will lead and manage a team of Building Control Surveyors ensuring that targets are being met in terms of financial results, clients, projects and people. You will develop the team and generate business by looking for leads/opportunities to maximise profit whilst supporting the wider business unit, region and business.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Commercial leadership: Set and deliver team budgets, own profit and loss, ensure accurate financial and project reporting, and identify and manage risks to protect margins.
• Resource and delivery management: Manage workload, capacity and resources against order backlog, direct teams to meet project objectives, and ensure effective project controls and governance.
• Client and business development: Build and maintain strong client relationships, capture client feedback, manage and approve bids, and collaborate with peers to share clients and opportunities.
• People leadership: Develop team capability through coaching and collaboration, drive improvements using staff feedback, and ensure compliance with ethics and mandatory training.
• Quality and compliance: Maintain high standards on Building Regulation projects, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, regulations and professional standards.
• Strategic contribution: Support regional planning, contribute to Board and Director discussions, collaborate with senior colleagues, and elevate risks or opportunities appropriately.

To Be Successful In This Role You’ll Have

• An appropriate degree along with an appropriate professional qualification such as MRICS, MCIOB or MCABE.
• RBI registration with a proven track record within Building Control.
• Good understanding of client projects and of the broader division.
• Capacity to influence strategic decision making within the business and an ability to make commercial decisions within defined parameters.
• Good analytical and process ability.

What's in it for you?

Working for Sweco you’ll experience an inclusive, friendly and flexible working environment where colleagues are encouraged to grow and develop together. A meaningful career where you’ll help to transform society by being a trusted consultant to our clients.

As part of our Building Standards division, and the wider teams, you'll work to maintain the highest standards alongside a team of innovators in a variety of projects, with regular training and bitesized learning opportunities.

We're committed to enabling all our colleagues to achieve a great balance between work and their other priorities, such as caring responsibilities, leisure activities, further learning or other interests. We offer flexible and hybrid working, to ensure we have a healthy work/ life balance, and ask our employees to have an office or site presence on an average of three days a week.

If you believe you have the skill set required, are keen to join a business with genuine opportunities for career progression, then we’d love to hear from you.

Employee Benefits

• Flexible and hybrid working (Flexworks Policy)
• Competitive pension contribution
• Life Assurance
• Private Medical Insurance (including family cover)
• Company car or car allowance
• Discretionary Annual Bonus Scheme
• Payment of two relevant professional subscriptions
• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays and your birthday (with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days per year)
• Cycle2Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme (wellbeing, mental health, financial and work advice)
• Employee discounts via Sweco Benefit Select (Faircare)
• Salary Sacrifice Electric Vehicle Scheme
• We plant a tree for all new starters!

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

It’s important to us that that all our colleagues thrive at work - we strive to have a friendly and inclusive culture which respects the contribution individuals can bring to Sweco. We aim to promote equality, inclusivity and diversity for everyone.

Here at Sweco we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity.

We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly. To find out more The Armed Forces Covenant - Our Commitments | Sweco UK .

We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer, and will interview applicants covered by the Equality Act 2010 that opt into the guaranteed interview scheme on the application form and meet the minimum criteria for the role.

If I have a disability, can I get help (e.g. \"reasonable adjustments\") with the application process?

If you’re an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to use the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, please contact for assistance.

In order to address your request the following information is needed:

• Name
• The best method for contacting you (Phone or email)
• The position title
• Requisition/vacancy number

Upon receipt of this information, we’ll respond to you promptly to obtain more information about your request.

Please note: we reserve the right to close vacancies before the advertised closing date.

Sweco UK&I have an internal resourcing team who are responsible for all recruiting activity. We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted agencies who we work with on those hard to fill roles.

We have defined processes for recruitment applications and it is company policy not to accept speculative CVs. Any speculative CVs received into the business (whether to a manager or member of the resourcing team) will become the property of Sweco and the agency will not be eligible for an introductory fee.

Our Preferred Supplier List was reviewed in November 2025 and we are not looking to add any additional agencies. We’ll be reviewing the PSL again at the end of 2026 and non-compliance with the above statements could be detrimental to you having the opportunity to be included.

Our Talent Community for experienced professionals is a great way to keep up to date with our latest news, insights, future vacancies, as well as gaining access to exclusive events hosted by our experts.

To learn more Join Our Talent Community - Sweco United Kingdom

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