At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead cost management and ensure value for money in high-value projects.
- Company: Local authority offering a dynamic and impactful work environment.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, professional development, and the chance to make a difference.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for mentoring and career growth.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of delivering essential public projects with real community impact.
- Qualifications: Degree in Quantity Surveying, MRICS or working towards chartership, and strong commercial skills.
This is a senior-level opportunity for a commercially astute Quantity Surveyor to take ownership of high-value capital and maintenance programmes within a local authority environment. You will sit at the heart of delivery—controlling cost, managing risk, and ensuring public money is spent properly, transparently, and to best value.
You will be trusted to lead, advise, and challenge—bringing structure, discipline, and calm commercial judgement to complex projects.
The Role
You will take responsibility for the full commercial lifecycle across a varied portfolio of construction, infrastructure, and maintenance schemes, acting as the go-to commercial lead for project teams and senior stakeholders.
Key duties include:
- Leading cost management from inception through to final account
- Preparing and managing budgets, cost plans, cash flow forecasts, and financial reporting
- Running procurement exercises, including tender documentation, evaluation, and contract award
- Providing clear commercial advice to project managers, engineers, and senior stakeholders
- Administering contracts (JCT and/or NEC) in line with public sector regulations
- Valuing works, certifying payments, and managing final accounts
- Managing variations, change control, and commercial risk
- Producing concise reports for senior management and elected members
- Supporting and mentoring junior surveyors
- Championing value for money and best practice throughout
What We’re Looking For
- Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying or a related discipline
- MRICS (or equivalent), or actively working towards chartership
- Solid experience in quantity surveying, cost consultancy, or commercial management
- Strong working knowledge of JCT and/or NEC contracts
- Experience within the public sector, or a clear understanding of UK public procurement regulations
- Confident with financial reporting, cost analysis, and commercial decision-making
- Strong communicator—able to influence, negotiate, and build trust at all levels
- Comfortable using Excel and cost management systems
Desirable Experience
- Previous local authority or wider public sector experience
- Exposure to sustainability, whole-life costing, or asset management
- Understanding of lifecycle planning and long-term value creation
Personal Qualities
- Commercially sharp, with a firm grip on value for money
- Calm, organised, and detail-driven
- Collaborative by nature, but confident enough to challenge when needed
- Resilient and dependable under pressure
- Professionally minded, with a commitment to continuous improvement
In short: this is a role for a seasoned QS who understands governance, respects public money, and takes pride in delivering projects the right way.
Senior Quantity Surveyor in Nottingham employer: 1st Select Ltd
Join a dynamic and supportive team as a Graduate M&E Surveyor, where you will gain invaluable experience in the built environment sector while working on impactful projects within healthcare and education. Our company fosters a collaborative work culture that prioritises professional growth, offering structured training and mentoring to help you achieve Chartered status and advance your career. Located in a vibrant area, we provide a unique opportunity to engage with diverse clients and contribute to meaningful projects that enhance community infrastructure.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Quantity Surveyor in Nottingham
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like 1st Select Ltd, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Senior Quantity Surveyor at 1st Select Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Quantity Surveyor in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at 1st Select Ltd
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
