Behind the ad

Indigo Property Developments Ltd is an exclusive property developer and contractor based in central London requiring a Principal Surveyor to take full responsibility for the company's financial management. You will be expected to set up your own database of subcontractors accumulated throughout your building experience.

Jerry Goodwin, Construction Director at Indigo, needs a Principal Surveyor with hands-on, rather than theoretically based experience. "I want someone with practical experience," he said. "Someone who has experience dealing with subcontractors and ideally someone who has had some experience at site level as well as in the office."

Goodwin is clear that candidates do not need a purely residential background. What he wants is a good 'all rounder' with sound contracting experience. "What we don't want is someone with a large contractor background. We want someone with experience working in the culture of a small or medium-sized organisation, someone who appreciates 'quality' construction and who has more of a 'hands-on' approach. I just don't think I will get that from someone who is use to working on large projects."

He wants someone with a minimum of 10 years' experience within building who is well organised and capable of formulating standardised subcontract enquiry orders and related surveying duties. The candidate must also have the capability to take full financial control of the contracts, liaise with PQS, architects, other consultants and the construction director, and report directly to the board on all commercial matters.

The company predominantly deals with contracts valued between £2m and £6m, and therefore candidates should demonstrate some experience on similar sized contracts.

A position at this level would require a dedicated individual with long-term commitment keen to progress. "There is every potential for a directorship, should the successful candidate want to take that opportunity, therefore it is essential that they are able to demonstrate loyalty to a company," Goodwin says.

"Ideally, the successful candidate will be qualified through the Btech and CIOB route, however I would not turn down anyone who has come up through RICS."

Goodwin reveals that today's candidates tend to lack strong communication skills, which the successful candidate requires.

Looking ahead to the future of quantity surveying, Goodwin says attracting young blood is key: "We need to encourage more youngsters to consider construction as a potential career path. Furthermore, as work ethics have changed somewhat over the last 10 years, we need to start offering more 'hands-on' work experience as opposed to teaching students in a lecture theatre.

"There seems to be fewer people doing day release, which is a great shame as it gives students the opportunity to work and learn at the same time."

Being part of Indigo Property Developments will provide the right candidate with an exciting and challenging opportunity to make a significant impact on the running of all commercial aspects of the company. In return you will be rewarded with a competitive remuneration package with benefits tailored to the successful candidate's previous experience and their current package.