Clerk of Works
Job summary
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Clerk of Works to join our Estates Development Team, playing a key role in delivering high-quality, safe, and compliant healthcare environments across the Trust.
This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled construction professional to act as the Trust's on-site representative across a diverse portfolio of capital and revenue projects. You will be responsible for independently inspecting and monitoring construction works, ensuring that all activities meet design specifications, statutory regulations, health and safety standards, and contractual requirements.
Working across multiple live healthcare sites, you will undertake a hands-on, site-based role involving regular inspections, quality assurance, and compliance monitoring. You will identify defects, challenge poor workmanship, and work collaboratively with contractors, project managers, and in-house teams to ensure that projects are delivered to the highest standards, with minimal disruption to patient services.
The role requires strong professional judgement, excellent communication skills, and the confidence to manage sensitive or challenging situations on site. You will be expected to provide clear, evidence-based reporting, support governance processes, and contribute to maintaining a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors.
Main duties of the job
The Clerk of Works will join the Development Team, reporting to the Pre-Construction and Compliance Manager. The post holder will work with a high degree of autonomy, acting as the Trust's technical authority on-site for capital and revenue projects, ensuring works are delivered in accordance with design specifications, statutory requirements, health and safety standards, and contractual obligations.
The Clerk of Works is an independent inspection and quality assurance professional. The role involves frequent site-based activity, including accessing construction areas, plant spaces, and working at height in accordance with safety procedures. The role involves regular and systematic inspection of workmanship and materials, identification and reporting of defects and non-compliances, and proactive engagement with contractors, the in-house Minor Works Team, and project teams to safeguard quality, compliance, and value for money throughout the delivery of capital works.
Working closely with Compliance Engineers, Authorised Persons (APs), Project Managers, external contractors, and the in-house Minor Works Team, the Clerk of Works will undertake NEC3 Supervisor duties, monitor quality, ensure compliance, manage permit-to-work procedures, and maintain comprehensive site records.
About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Details
Date posted
21 April 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
£49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
179-7907155-F
Job locations
West Suffolk Hospital
West Suffolk Hospital (Quince House 2F)
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification attached for more details on the job role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification attached for more details on the job role.
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience) in Building Surveying or related discipline
- Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., RICS, CIOB) or demonstrable equivalent experience.
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development.
Desirable
- Chartered status in relevant professional organisation (MCIOB, MRICS etc.)
- Project / Programme Management qualification
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- Successful track record of managing capital and revenue estates projects of comparable scale and complexity.
- Experience in overseeing external contractors and internal Minor Works Team projects.
- Extensive specialist knowledge in construction, building regulations, Building Safety Act, HTMs/HBNs, and statutory compliance.
- Experience of leading and coordinating multi-disciplinary teams.
- Experience in quality assurance, inspection, and contract supervision (e.g., NEC3 Supervisor duties).
- Knowledge of site safety, permit-to-work procedures, and site inductions.
Desirable
- Be conversant with Government Soft Landings (GSL)
- Experience/knowledge of working in a health service environment.
- Familiarity with commissioning processes, sustainability initiatives and estates performance reporting.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Effectively convey and interpret highly complex, sensitive, or contentious information using excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Excellent report writing skills, including preparation of site logs, photographic records, and weekly summary reports
- Ability to lead change where required and influence multi-disciplinary teams.
- Organised approach to work, attention to detail, and ability to achieve high accuracy
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
- Ability to develop and implement solutions to address problems, including design or contract deviations
- Ability to collate, interpret, and apply information in accordance with Trust policies and procedures
- PC literate with office and design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit).
- Ability to plan and prioritise workload and manage complex, multi-stranded projects, adjusting strategies as needed.
Desirable
- Experience in leading or mentoring junior staff or internal teams.
- Knowledge of sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to inspire and enthuse others.
- Dedicated and committed
- Flexible approach to working hours and duties
- Patient and quality-focused
- Experience in leading or mentoring junior staff or internal teams.
Desirable
- Demonstrable leadership qualities.
- Experience in promoting continuous improvement culture.
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience) in Building Surveying or related discipline
- Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., RICS, CIOB) or demonstrable equivalent experience.
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development.
Desirable
- Chartered status in relevant professional organisation (MCIOB, MRICS etc.)
- Project / Programme Management qualification
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- Successful track record of managing capital and revenue estates projects of comparable scale and complexity.
- Experience in overseeing external contractors and internal Minor Works Team projects.
- Extensive specialist knowledge in construction, building regulations, Building Safety Act, HTMs/HBNs, and statutory compliance.
- Experience of leading and coordinating multi-disciplinary teams.
- Experience in quality assurance, inspection, and contract supervision (e.g., NEC3 Supervisor duties).
- Knowledge of site safety, permit-to-work procedures, and site inductions.
Desirable
- Be conversant with Government Soft Landings (GSL)
- Experience/knowledge of working in a health service environment.
- Familiarity with commissioning processes, sustainability initiatives and estates performance reporting.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Effectively convey and interpret highly complex, sensitive, or contentious information using excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Excellent report writing skills, including preparation of site logs, photographic records, and weekly summary reports
- Ability to lead change where required and influence multi-disciplinary teams.
- Organised approach to work, attention to detail, and ability to achieve high accuracy
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
- Ability to develop and implement solutions to address problems, including design or contract deviations
- Ability to collate, interpret, and apply information in accordance with Trust policies and procedures
- PC literate with office and design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit).
- Ability to plan and prioritise workload and manage complex, multi-stranded projects, adjusting strategies as needed.
Desirable
- Experience in leading or mentoring junior staff or internal teams.
- Knowledge of sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to inspire and enthuse others.
- Dedicated and committed
- Flexible approach to working hours and duties
- Patient and quality-focused
- Experience in leading or mentoring junior staff or internal teams.
Desirable
- Demonstrable leadership qualities.
- Experience in promoting continuous improvement culture.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address
West Suffolk Hospital
West Suffolk Hospital (Quince House 2F)
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ
Employer's website
https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address
West Suffolk Hospital
West Suffolk Hospital (Quince House 2F)
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ