At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage commercial aspects of civil engineering projects and lead tender submissions.
- Company: Leading infrastructure contractor based in Peterborough with a focus on growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and autonomy in your role.
- Other info: Great opportunity for ambitious individuals looking to grow their careers.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in the infrastructure sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in Quantity Surveying and NEC contract administration required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
ALH Recruitment is looking to recruit a QS with immediate effect for our client who continue to lead their market, with their HQ based in Peterborough.
The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and improving all commercial aspects of the business, ensuring robust financial control across multiple projects while supporting the company's strategic growth objectives.
You will play a key role in:
- Managing project commercial performance, leading tendering and bid submissions
- Supporting framework growth opportunities, improving commercial systems and reporting, developing supply chain relationships and ensuring contract compliance (NEC/JCT/etc) whilst driving profitability and commercial governance.
A strong understanding of Civil engineering delivery methods, utility infrastructure works, and NEC forms of contract is essential.
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial Management
- Take full responsibility for the commercial management of multiple civil engineering and utility projects.
- Monitor project profitability, cost control, maintain cash flow, and financial performance.
- Develop and improve commercial procedures, reporting systems, and governance across the business.
- Produce accurate monthly Cost Value Reconciliation (CRV's), forecasts, accruals, and management reports for senior leadership.
- Proactively identify, assess, and onboard new suppliers and subcontractors while developing and maintaining strong relationships with the existing supply chain.
- Lead commercial negotiations to secure competitive rates, favourable terms, and reliable service delivery, ensuring best value procurement across all projects.
- Prepare, review, and manage supplier and subcontractor service agreements and contracts, ensuring compliance with commercial, contractual, operational, and legal requirements while minimising business risk.
- Tendering & Bid Management
- Lead the preparation, pricing, and submission of commercial tenders and framework bids.
- Produce high-quality commercial and pricing submissions to secure new work opportunities.
- Review drawings, specifications, scopes, and client requirements to build competitive tender returns.
- Support bid writing activities with technical and commercial input to improve win rates.
- Identify commercial risks and opportunities during pre-construction phases.
- Undertake detailed analysis of tender submissions, including win/loss performance, pricing competitiveness, and commercial positioning, to identify trends, improve bid strategy, and enhance overall tender success rates.
- Use findings to refine future submissions, strengthen commercial decision-making, and improve profitability and conversion of opportunities across the business.
- Estimating
- Prepare detailed cost estimates for civil engineering, utilities and infrastructure works.
- Develop budgets, forecasts, and cost plans aligned with project scope and client expectations.
- Ensure estimates accurately reflect labour, plant, materials, subcontract, and risk allowances.
- Procurement & Supply Chain Management
- Lead procurement of subcontractors, suppliers, and specialist service providers.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key supply chain partners.
- Ensure procurement delivers best value while maintaining programme and quality requirements.
- Lead negotiations to secure competitive rates, favourable terms, and reliable service delivery, ensuring best value procurement across all projects.
- Prepare, review, and manage supplier and subcontractor service agreements and contracts, ensuring compliance with commercial, contractual, operational, and legal requirements while minimising business risk.
- NEC Contract Administration
- Administer contracts under NEC forms, including compensation events, change management, risk reduction meetings, payment applications, programme compliance, ensure all contractual obligations are effectively managed and commercially protected.
- Valuations & Variations
- Prepare and agree interim valuations and final accounts.
- Assess, price, and negotiate variations and compensation events.
- Review payment notices and subcontractor applications for payment.
- Manage supplier invoices and resolve commercial discrepancies efficiently.
- Value Engineering
- Identify and implement value engineering opportunities to improve project profitability and client value.
- Propose innovative construction methods, sequencing improvements, and cost-saving initiatives.
- Financial Reporting & Meetings
- Attend and contribute to commercial and financial review meetings.
- Present project financial performance updates to directors and senior management.
- Provide clear visibility on risks, opportunities, margins, and cash flow.
Candidate Requirements
Essential Experience
- Proven Quantity Surveying experience within civil engineering, utilities, infrastructure, or highways sectors.
- Strong knowledge and practical experience administering NEC contracts.
- Experience working with or alongside National Gas, Cadent Gas, BPA, Anglian Water, National Highways.
- Experience in PD, PC, and Contractor delivery environments.
- Strong understanding of Civil construction methods and infrastructure delivery.
- Proven experience preparing, pricing, and winning commercial tenders and framework bids.
Qualifications & Professional Memberships
- Degree or HNC/HND in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Civil Engineering, Construction Management or related construction discipline.
- Membership or working towards membership of: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS), Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors, Chartered Institute of Building.
Preferred Certifications
- NEC3 / NEC4 Accreditation or formal NEC contract training.
- CSCS Card (Black or White Professionally Qualified Person).
- SMSTS or SSSTS qualification desirable.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
Skills & Attributes
- Commercially driven with strong negotiation skills.
- Excellent financial and analytical capabilities.
- Ability to work independently and improve business processes.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
- Ambitious and motivated to support company growth.
What they offer
- Opportunity to play a key role in a growing infrastructure contractor.
- Autonomy to develop and improve the company's commercial function.
- Exposure to major utility and infrastructure frameworks.
- Long-term career progression within a growing business.
- Competitive salary package based on experience.
Senior Civil Quantity Surveyor & Estimator in Peterborough employer: ALH Recruitment
Join a leading infrastructure contractor in Peterborough, where you will have the opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the company's commercial function. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we offer a competitive salary package, autonomy in your role, and exposure to major utility and infrastructure frameworks, all within a supportive and dynamic work culture that values innovation and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Civil Quantity Surveyor & Estimator in Peterborough
✨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 ALH Recruitment, 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 Civil Quantity Surveyor & Estimator at ALH Recruitment.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Civil Quantity Surveyor & Estimator in Peterborough
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 ALH Recruitment
✨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!
