Interim Consultant - Housing Surveying Review, Market Research & Future Operating Model Outside IR35 4-month contract initially £500-£600 per day
Mainly 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. Produce a costed implementation and improvement plan. Scope of Work 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. Produce a costed, prioritised roadmap for transformation. Consultant Requirements 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.