Building Surveyor/Contractor Administrator - Life Science

If you’re looking for a building surveying role where you’ll be trusted with meaningful responsibility, work on some of the UK’s most significant science and technology real estate, and develop alongside one of the sector’s leading specialists, we’d like to hear from you.

Our successful hire will work closely with an experienced Partner who specialises in delivering complex life science projects across the region. Working alongside our dedicated life science specialist, you'll gain exposure to a diverse portfolio of high-profile laboratory, refurbishment and commercial projects within one of the UK's most innovative science and technology markets.

This opportunity is open to talented surveyors at any stage of their career - from graduates looking for exceptional mentoring through to experienced Chartered Surveyors seeking to accelerate their careers. We are also looking to speak with experience contract administrators and project coordinators who have experience working in the built environment sector.

This is not a role where you’ll be pigeonholed.

You’ll gain exposure to the full breadth of commercial building surveying, developing technical expertise while building trusted relationships with some of the UK’s most prestigious landlords, occupiers and institutional clients.

Your workload will have a particular emphasis on project delivery and contract administration, acting as Employer’s Agent or Contract Administrator on refurbishment, alteration and fit-out projects ranging from small complex works to multi-million-pound schemes.

Projects are delivered across some of Cambridge’s most recognised innovation campuses, including:

Cambridge Science Park
Babraham Research Campus
Granta Park
Other leading science, technology and commercial assets throughout Cambridge and the wider Golden Triangle.

In recent years the team have completed speculative Laboratory fit-outs and CATA office schemes, alongside several high profile re-purposing schemes; notably 316 Cambridge Science Park from office to lab on behalf of Trinity College and the creation of a ISO8 Cleanroom and production facility within an industrial space for Sherlock Bio. Last month we delivered Cambridge’s first NABERS UK 5.5 start retrofit building at 334 Cambridge Science Park.

Alongside project work you’ll also gain experience in:

Dilapidations
Technical due diligence
Planned preventative maintenance
Defect diagnosis
Landlord & tenant matters
Principal Designer services
Building pathology

About you

We’re interested in people as much as qualifications.

You might be a graduate with a strong academic background and genuine enthusiasm for commercial property, or an experienced surveyor looking to work on higher-profile projects with greater responsibility.

Ideally you’ll have:

A degree in Building Surveying or a related discipline
Progress towards, or achievement of, MRICS (where applicable)
Strong communication and relationship-building skills
Commercial awareness and a practical approach to problem solving
Curiosity, ambition and a desire to continually develop.

Why This Role?

Cambridge is at the centre of Europe’s most exciting science and technology property market, and this role offers a front-row seat.

You’ll work with pioneering clients delivering spaces that support life sciences, advanced manufacturing, technology and innovation. From cutting-edge laboratories and research facilities to commercial campuses and headquarters buildings, no two projects are the same.

Most importantly, you’ll work alongside a highly experienced mentor who is passionate about developing people, sharing knowledge and giving individuals genuine responsibility from an early stage.

Whether your ambition is to become a Chartered Surveyor, lead major projects or ultimately become a Partner, this role provides the experience, support and exposure to help you get there.

Why Bidwells?

Bidwells has built an unrivalled reputation within the science and technology sector. We advise many of the UK’s most influential investors, developers and occupiers, combining technical excellence with deep market knowledge across Cambridge, Oxford, London and beyond. If you want to build a career—not just a CV—we’d love to hear from you

What’s in it for you

Competitive Salary: We recognise and reward talent with generous salary and group bonus scheme. As a Real Living Wage employer, we’re committed to fair pay that reflects the true cost of living.
Comprehensive Benefits: Including up to 8% matched pension, 28 days holiday (+ bank holidays) as a minimum, along with your birthday off work, a wellness day, paid sabbaticals, private medical cover, medicash plan, lifestyle discounts and perks, and more.
Professional Development: Continuous learning, study support and promotion opportunities.
Innovative Culture: Be part of a forward-thinking team at the forefront of industry trends.
Family Friendly: We offer enhanced family leave policies to support individuals close to you.
Work-Life Balance: We value your well-being and offer agile working to support it.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity and positively encourage applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of race, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief. Flexible working requests are considered from day one.

Recruitment agencies: Bidwells only pay agency fees where we have a signed agreement in place and that agency has been contacted and directed by a member of our Talent Acquisition Team to work on a specific vacancy. We do not pay agency fees when speculative and unsolicited CVs are submitted to Bidwells or any of our employees other than via our Applicant Tracking System and through our recruitment process. If this is not adhered to, agency fees will not be paid