Senior Quantity Surveyor (Healthcare) in Kent

Are you an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor or Senior Cost Manager with a background in healthcare or complex public-sector projects? Are you looking for an opportunity to take ownership of major commissions, provide strategic commercial advice and develop your leadership capabilities within an established construction consultancy? We are working with a leading multidisciplinary consultancy looking to appoint a Senior Quantity Surveyor / Senior Cost Manager to join its growing cost management team in Tunbridge Wells.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially astute professional to lead projects from initial feasibility through to completion, manage client relationships and oversee the delivery of high-quality cost management services. You will work across a diverse portfolio of healthcare and public-sector projects, including major capital developments, hospital refurbishments, estate improvement programmes, compliance-led works and infrastructure upgrades. Many projects will involve operational environments where patient safety, clinical continuity, regulatory compliance and careful stakeholder management are essential. Alongside healthcare, there may be opportunities to work across other complex sectors, including education, life sciences and wider public-sector developments.

The Role

As a Senior Quantity Surveyor / Senior Cost Manager, you will take responsibility for the commercial management and successful delivery of projects, acting as a key point of contact for clients and providing professional advice throughout the project lifecycle. Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading cost management commissions from feasibility and business case development through to construction and final account.
• Acting as the primary day-to-day client contact, developing trusted relationships and providing clear, commercially focused advice.
• Preparing and reviewing cost estimates, cost plans, cash flow forecasts, risk allowances, benchmarking and commercial reports.
• Developing procurement strategies, managing tender processes and providing recommendations on contractor selection and contract arrangements.
• Overseeing post-contract cost management, including valuations, forecasting, change control, cost reporting and final account negotiations.
• Administering and advising on JCT, NEC and other relevant construction contracts.
• Managing project budgets, commercial risks, programme considerations and value engineering opportunities.
• Working with healthcare clients and estates teams to deliver projects within live operational environments, considering phasing, decant requirements, clinical continuity and compliance.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary teams and engaging with clinical, estates, finance, design, contractor and other project stakeholders.
• Establishing effective project governance, reporting procedures and commercial controls.
• Managing project resources, fee forecasts, scope changes, invoicing and overall commission performance.
• Reviewing technical outputs, maintaining quality standards and ensuring accurate project records.
• Mentoring and supporting junior colleagues, delegating responsibilities and encouraging professional development.
• Contributing to bids, presentations, client account development and opportunities for repeat business.
• Promoting best practice in sustainability, health and safety, digital delivery and continuous improvement.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:

• Significant experience delivering quantity surveying or cost management services within healthcare, public-sector or other complex built-environment projects.
• Experience within a construction consultancy or a similar client-facing commercial environment.
• A proven track record of independently managing projects and maintaining client relationships from feasibility through to completion.
• Experience working on healthcare estates, major capital projects, refurbishment schemes, backlog maintenance or other complex operational environments.
• A strong understanding of pre- and post-contract cost management, including estimating, cost planning, procurement, tendering, contract administration and final accounts.
• Good working knowledge of NEC and JCT contracts, alongside an understanding of public-sector procurement and governance requirements.
• The ability to manage competing project priorities while balancing cost, programme, compliance, safety and operational requirements.
• Strong commercial awareness, analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex project information and communicate recommendations effectively.
• Confidence leading meetings, presenting advice and influencing clients, contractors, consultants and senior stakeholders.
• Experience supervising colleagues, reviewing technical work and supporting the development of junior team members.
• Strong commission management skills, including fee control, resource planning, forecasting, scope management and invoicing.
• A degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or a related discipline.
• MRICS chartership or an equivalent recognised professional qualification.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and cost management software such as CostX or similar platforms.

What Success Looks Like

In this role, you will be expected to take ownership of project delivery, provide trusted commercial advice and contribute to the ongoing success of the wider team. Success will include:

• Delivering projects to agreed budgets, programmes, quality standards and client expectations.
• Producing accurate and reliable cost forecasts, identifying risks and managing changes proactively.
• Providing commercially sound advice that balances affordability and value with patient safety, compliance and operational requirements.
• Building strong client relationships that lead to repeat business and opportunities to expand existing accounts.
• Providing clear direction to project teams and supporting the professional development of junior colleagues.
• Managing commission fees, resources and scope effectively to maintain strong commercial performance.
• Contributing to business development, tender submissions, technical standards and knowledge sharing.
• Demonstrating the leadership, commercial judgement and client management skills required to progress towards a Managing Quantity Surveyor position.

Career Development and Progression

You will benefit from:

• Ongoing professional, technical and leadership development.
• Opportunities to lead increasingly complex projects and commissions.
• Exposure to a diverse portfolio of healthcare and public-sector clients.
• Support in developing client account management and business development skills.
• Opportunities to mentor colleagues and take on greater team responsibilities.
• A clear progression pathway towards Managing Quantity Surveyor.

What's on Offer?

The successful candidate will join a collaborative consultancy that values professional excellence, career development and long-term progression, including:

• A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• Opportunities to work on major healthcare and public-sector projects.
• Exposure to complex commissions and senior client stakeholders.
• Opportunities to develop leadership, commercial and people management skills.
• A supportive and inclusive working environment.
• Flexible benefits designed to support health, wellbeing and work-life balance.