Senior Quantity Surveyor

Position Summary

The Senior Quantity Surveyor will take full commercial ownership of assigned projects from pre-contract through to final account. The role ensures accurate cost planning, procurement, contract administration, valuation, change control, risk management, and financial reporting while protecting project margins and delivering value for money. Senior QS roles typically combine commercial leadership with mentoring of junior quantity surveying staff and close coordination with project, procurement, finance, and client teams.

Reporting Line

• Reports to: Commercial Manager / Project Director

• Direct reports: Quantity Surveyors, Assistant Quantity Surveyors

• Key interfaces: Project Managers, Engineers, Procurement, Finance, Clients, Contractors, Subcontractors, and Suppliers

Key Responsibilities

Cost Planning and Estimation

• Prepare cost plans, budgets, estimates, bills of quantities, and tender documents at appropriate project stages.
• Undertake measurement, quantification, benchmarking, and cost analysis from drawings, specifications, and site information.

• Review contractor and subcontractor quotations, tender returns, and final accounts for accuracy and commercial reasonableness.

• Support feasibility studies and provide early-stage cost advice to clients and project teams.

Procurement and Contracts

• Lead procurement activities, including preparing enquiry packages, evaluating tenders, negotiating commercial terms, and recommending awards.

• Prepare, administer, and interpret construction contracts, subcontracts, and commercial documentation.

• Ensure procurement and contract administration comply with company procedures, client requirements, and applicable legislation.

• Manage subcontract packages, including payment applications, reconciliations, back-charges, and commercial records.

Cost Control and Financial Reporting

• Monitor project budgets, commitments, actual costs, accruals, cash flow, revenue forecasts, and cost-value reconciliation reports.

• Prepare monthly commercial reports, forecasts, margin analyses, and variance explanations for management and clients.

• Identify commercial risks, opportunities, cost overruns, and margin erosion; recommend and implement mitigation actions.

• Ensure timely preparation and agreement of interim valuations, payment applications, certifications, and final accounts.

Change and Risk Management

• Administer change control, variations, compensation events, claims, and contractual correspondence.

• Price, negotiate, and agree variations while maintaining a robust audit trail of instructions, records, and supporting evidence.

• Support dispute avoidance and, where required, assist in claims preparation and resolution processes.

• Apply value engineering and cost-saving initiatives without compromising quality, safety, or programme.

Leadership and Stakeholder Management

• Lead, train, and mentor Quantity Surveyors and Assistant Quantity Surveyors.

• Provide commercial advice and challenge to project managers, engineers, operations teams, and senior stakeholders.

• Build and maintain effective relationships with clients, consultants, subcontractors, suppliers, and internal departments.

• Represent the commercial function in project meetings, client reviews, negotiations, audits, and governance forums.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline.

• Minimum 5 years’ relevant experience in quantity surveying, commercial management, or cost management within construction or infrastructure.

• Demonstrated experience in pre- and post-contract commercial management, including estimating, procurement, valuations, variations, and final accounts.

• Strong knowledge of contract forms such as NEC, FIDIC, JCT, or equivalent

• Strong numerical, analytical, negotiation, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with commercial/measurement software.