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: Opportunity to work on major utility frameworks and develop your skills.
- 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 55000 - 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 employer: ALH Recruitment
Join a leading infrastructure contractor in Peterborough, where you will have the opportunity to significantly impact the commercial management of multiple civil engineering projects. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer a competitive salary package, autonomy in your role, and exposure to major utility frameworks, all within a supportive work culture that values innovation and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Civil Quantity Surveyor & Estimator
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! When it comes to salary discussions, be ready to advocate for yourself. Know your worth and don’t shy away from discussing what you bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Civil Quantity Surveyor & Estimator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Civil Quantity Surveyor & Estimator role. Highlight your relevant experience in managing commercial aspects, tendering, and NEC contracts. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific projects you've worked on that relate to the job description and show us your passion for civil engineering and commercial management.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don't just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use numbers and examples to demonstrate how you've improved profitability, managed costs, or secured competitive tenders in your previous roles. We love seeing tangible results!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows us you're keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at ALH Recruitment
✨Know Your Contracts
Make sure you brush up on NEC contracts and other relevant frameworks before the interview. Being able to discuss specific clauses and how they apply to project management will show your expertise and confidence in handling commercial negotiations.
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
Prepare to discuss your experience with financial reporting, cost control, and cash flow management. Bring examples of how you've improved profitability on past projects, as this will demonstrate your ability to manage project commercial performance effectively.
✨Demonstrate Strong Relationships
Be ready to talk about how you've built and maintained relationships with suppliers and subcontractors. Highlight any successful negotiations you've led that resulted in better terms or service delivery, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to civil engineering delivery methods and utility infrastructure works. Brush up on recent projects you've worked on and be prepared to discuss the challenges faced and how you overcame them, showcasing your problem-solving skills.
