Managing Quantity Surveyor Site Based

Major Water Infrastructure Project - Thames Water The Opportunity

Tilbury Douglas is seeking an experienced Managing Quantity Surveyor to provide full commercial leadership on an in excess of £60m Thames Water major works Sewage Treatment Works (STW) upgrade. This is a high-profile Design & Build project delivered under NEC4 Option C, forming part of a long-term framework.

The role will take accountability for commercial strategy, governance, risk management, and financial performance across the full project lifecycle, from pre-construction through delivery and final account.

The position requires a commitment to:

• Pre-construction: Approx. 18 months, hybrid working based between site, home and Reading head office
• Construction: Approx. 36 months, 4 days per week site-based within the Thames Valley (M4/M40 corridor), 1 day home

Key Responsibilities Commercial Leadership & Governance

• Internal and external stakeholder facing
• Provide overall commercial leadership for the project, ensuring financial control, governance, and compliance with company procedures.
• Protect the business from commercial and financial risk while maximising project value and margin.
• Ensure accurate forecasting, cost reporting, and outturn financial performance throughout the project lifecycle.

Pre-Construction & Procurement

• Lead commercial input into pre-construction activities, including procurement strategy, risk management, and tender governance.
• Oversee the preparation and assurance of cost plans, estimates, Bills of Quantities, and tender submissions.
• Lead subcontractor procurement, including enquiry preparation, tender evaluation, commercial adjudication, and contract award.
• Develop and manage the project risk register, ensuring risks are appropriately valued, mitigated, and communicated.

Contract & Delivery Management

• Ensure robust administration of the main contract and subcontracts, including notices, compensation events, early warnings, and change control.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of main contract payment applications and ensure timely cash collection.
• Ensure subcontract payments are prepared and certified strictly in accordance with contractual terms.
• Lead and support the commercial management of subcontractor performance to ensure timely, compliant, and cost-effective delivery.
• Drive the successful agreement of final accounts with both client and supply chain.

Risk, Value & Dispute Management

• Lead commercial risk management, value engineering initiatives, and cost efficiency improvements.
• Proactively manage dispute avoidance and support formal dispute resolution where required.
• Ensure all commercial decisions are aligned with project objectives and contractual entitlements.

Leadership & People Management

• Line manage and develop a commercial team of 5+ direct reports, fostering a high-performance and collaborative culture.
• Mentor and support the professional development of team members, including succession planning.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration with operational, design, and planning teams.

What We're Looking For Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven experience working on major projects (£60m+) within a Tier 1 main contractor environment.
• Strong background in Design & Build delivery.
• Extensive experience managing live projects through to successful final account.
• In-depth knowledge of NEC3/NEC4 contracts, particularly Option C (Target Cost).
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to manage risk, cashflow, forecasting, and reporting at senior level.
• Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring, and developing commercial teams.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong understanding of construction processes, measurement, valuation, and change control.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Desirable

• Experience working on Thames Water and/or wastewater projects.
• Pre-construction estimating and procurement leadership experience.
• Familiarity with systems such as CEMAR, COINS, Dalux, and Primavera P6.
• Knowledge of CIS.
• Experience with dispute resolution procedures.
• Professional membership (or working towards) RICS or equivalent.
• EC PM accreditation.

What We Can Offer You

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• 26 days annual leave, with the option to buy or sell up to 3 days
• Additional long service leave at 3, 7, and 10 years
• Private medical insurance (with family cover option)
• Life assurance
• Defined contribution pension scheme matched up to 8%
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and parental leave
• Two paid volunteering days per year
• Flexible and agile working (role dependent)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Professional membership fees paid
• Perks at Work employee discount scheme
• Flexible benefits including:
  • Critical illness insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Travel insurance
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Retail vouchers and leisure discounts

About Tilbury Douglas

Tilbury Douglas is a leading UK building, infrastructure, engineering, and fit-out company delivering vital projects across health, education, highways, justice, defence, aviation, water, and environmental sectors.

Our people are at the heart of our success. We foster an inclusive culture that encourages innovation.