Head of Service | Building Control | Stockport | Full Time | £71,274 – £81,588

Stockport Council is looking for a Head of Service to lead its building control team.

This is a senior role with a clear public safety focus. You will lead building inspectors, manage budgets, improve the service and make sure work meets high standards.

You will oversee a wide range of projects across Stockport. These may include historic buildings, new homes, commercial schemes and modern developments. So, naturally, you will need to keep order in a world where every building seems determined to come with its own drama.

About Stockport Council

Stockport Council is one ambitious team working to create opportunities for everyone who lives, works and spends time in the borough.

The council is committed to safe, high-quality places and strong public services. It has also been recognised as MJ Local Authority of the Year 2025.

Stockport Council offers a supportive work culture, flexible working options, generous leave and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

What You’ll Be Doing

As Head of Service, you will lead the Building Control function and help shape its future.

You will:

• Lead the team: Manage and support a skilled team of building inspectors.
• Set direction: Develop service plans, priorities and standards.
• Manage budgets: Oversee service budgets and financial planning.
• Improve services: Find better ways to work and improve performance.
• Support safety: Make sure building work meets legal and safety standards.
• Lead BSR audits: Prepare for and lead the Building Safety Regulator audit process.
• Manage risk: Spot service, technical and financial risks early.
• Support staff growth: Build a skilled, confident and high-performing team.
• Drive income: Find fair ways to grow fee income and support cost recovery.
• Work with partners: Build strong links with elected members, residents, developers and other stakeholders.
• Use digital systems: Support electronic plan checks, site reports and records.
• Promote good practice: Make sure the team follows council policy and professional standards.

Building Control Leadership

This Building Control role needs a leader who can balance safety, service quality and financial care.

You will need to guide the team through a busy and changing regulatory landscape. You will support inspectors, improve systems and make sure the service is ready for audit and inspection.

You will also help the service stay commercially aware while keeping public safety at the centre of each decision.

About You

You will be a strong and experienced building control professional with proven leadership skills.

You will bring:

• BSR registration: Minimum Class 2A-F Building Inspector registration.
• Strong experience: Extensive experience in Building Control.
• Team leadership: A track record of leading a building control team in the public or private sector.
• Technical knowledge: Strong knowledge of building regulations, fire safety and new construction methods.
• Audit experience: Experience leading or supporting BSR audit work.
• Commercial skills: The ability to spot income and cost recovery opportunities.
• People skills: Confidence working with elected members, developers, residents and partners.
• Service focus: A clear commitment to public service and safety.
• Problem solving: A strategic approach to solving complex issues.
• Digital skills: The ability to use electronic systems for plans, reports, records and email.
• Driving licence: A full UK driving licence for travel across Stockport.

Key Building Control Skills

Stockport Council is looking for someone with strong skills in:

• Building Control leadership
• Building regulations
• Fire safety
• BSR audit preparation
• Team management
• Budget management
• Service improvement
• Commercial planning
• Stakeholder engagement
• Digital records and reporting
• Risk management
• Public safety

Why Join Stockport Council?

This is a strong chance to lead an important public safety service in one of the North West’s most active local authorities.

You will help shape the future of Building Control in Stockport. You will also support safer buildings, better services and a high-performing team.

Benefits include:

• Generous annual leave
• Bank holidays
• Flexible working hours
• Hybrid working
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Good Employment Charter recognition
• Real Living Wage commitment
• Staff engagement forums
• Inclusive employment policies

Diversity and Inclusion

Stockport Council is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce.

The council welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and communities. It wants staff to feel able to be themselves, contribute fully and succeed at work.

Stockport Council also supports employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers and ex-military personnel through its Guaranteed Assessment Scheme.

Visa Sponsorship

Stockport Council holds a Visa sponsorship licence. However, this role does not currently qualify for sponsorship.

How to Apply

Applications close on 20 May 2026 at 11:59pm.

The council may close the role early if it receives a high number of applications. Early applications are encouraged, because apparently deadlines are now more like trapdoors with calendars attached.

For an informal discussion, contact Jerry Mannion at jerry.mannion@stockport.gov.uk.

Application Tips

Use your application to show clear examples of senior Building Control leadership.

Include examples of how you have led teams, managed technical risk, supported audits, improved services and worked with developers, residents or elected members.

It will also help to show your experience with budgets, fee income, cost recovery, building regulations, fire safety and digital systems. Keep your examples clear, short and linked to real outcomes.