Senior Quantity Surveyor

Senior Quantity Surveyor Overview of Responsibilities

The Senior Quantity Surveyor is a senior cost and commercial professional responsible for the financial management, cost control, and commercial assurance of complex construction and infrastructure contracts within one or more Integrated Project Teams (IPTs). Operating with a level of autonomy, the role provides expert quantity surveying advice across the full project lifecycle from cost planning and procurement through to final account agreement. The post holder ensures robust cost governance, accurate measurement and valuation, effective change control, and proactive commercial risk management.

Accountability 1: Cost Management & Commercial Control

• Lead the cost management of major construction and infrastructure contracts, ensuring accurate forecasting, budgetary control, and cost assurance.
• Prepare, review and maintain cost plans, cost breakdown structures, target costs and pain gain mechanisms, forecasts, cashflows, and earned value metrics.
• Triage early warnings, compensation events and other commercial claims.
• Provide authoritative advice on commercial and cost impacts of design development, scope change and programme movement.
• Ensure costs are managed in line with approved budgets, governance thresholds, and delegated authorities.

Accountability 2: Measurement, Valuation & Change Control

• Lead the measurement and valuation of works including interim applications for payment and assessment of defined cost/compensation events, variations, changes and claims.
• Ensure change is properly instructed, valued, negotiated and recorded in accordance with contractual mechanisms such as NEC.
• Challenge contractor submissions to ensure value for money, robustness and contractual compliance.
• Agree final accounts and support timely, controlled contract close out.

Accountability 3: Contract & Procurement Support

• Support or lead commercial input into procurement strategies for construction and infrastructure works.
• Advise on contract selection, pricing mechanisms, risk allocation and commercial models.
• Lead or support commercial negotiations at tender and post contract stages.
• Ensure contracts are administered in line with agreed terms, governance standards and regulatory requirements.

Accountability 4: Risk, Claims & Dispute Management

• Identify, assess and manage cost and commercial risks, ensuring mitigation strategies are developed and implemented.
• Support dispute avoidance through early intervention, commercial negotiation and robust contract administration.
• Provide expert support and leadership to formal dispute resolution processes where required.

Accountability 5: Reporting, Governance & Assurance

• Produce and assure high quality cost and commercial reporting for senior stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate, auditable cost and contract records in line with organisational and regulatory requirements.
• Support internal and external audits and provide professional commercial assurance.
• Drive continuous improvement in cost management processes, data quality and reporting discipline.

Accountability 6: Stakeholder Management & Leadership

• Build trusted relationships within the wider Commercial team, Project Managers, Engineers, Finance and senior stakeholders.
• Represent the organisation in meetings with contractors and delivery partners.
• Provide mentoring, guidance and professional oversight to direct reports and early career colleagues.
• Act as a role model for professional integrity, ethical behaviour and organisational values.

Accountability 7: Embody a Leadership Mindset

• Embrace and embody the organisation's culture, values and mission in all aspects of work.
• Foster a positive and inclusive team environment that aligns with cultural values.
• Contribute to maintaining a respectful and collaborative workplace, valuing diversity and promoting teamwork.
• Act as a cultural ambassador representing the organisation's values to colleagues, clients and stakeholders.
• Lead by example, demonstrating integrity, professionalism and ethical behaviour.
• Make informed decisions and solve problems effectively, considering diverse perspectives and organisational goals.

Salary and Benefits

£44,290 plus excellent benefits including a pension scheme.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in quantity surveying or cost management on construction or infrastructure projects.
• Proven ability to administer high value, high risk contracts across the project lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of standard forms of contract such as NEC and bespoke construction contracts.
• Demonstrable expertise in cost forecasting, valuation, change control and final accounts.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Degree or equivalent in Quantity Surveying or a related discipline.
• Actively working towards or already holding Chartered status (MRICS).
• Ability to demonstrate competence aligned to RICS pathways including Commercial Management of Construction, Construction Technology and Environmental Services, Contract Practice, Procurement and Tendering, and Risk Management.
• Experience working in highly regulated or public sector environments (beneficial).
• Experience supporting or managing junior quantity surveying staff (beneficial).
• Familiarity with assurance, governance and delegated authority frameworks (beneficial).

Professional Development and Collaboration

• Active engagement with APM and other relevant external bodies as part of continuous development.
• Support the wider STEP PPM community via active contributions at STEP meetings and events and conferences.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We welcome applications from under represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and ethnic minority backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities. Our Executive team, supported by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. UKIFS is committed to being accessible and welcomes requests for adjustments to the interview process or information.

Security and Clearance

• Employees must complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Disclosure & Barring Service checks. An SC Clearance may be required in the future.