At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage financial aspects of exciting construction projects.
- Company: Join Vistry, a top UK housebuilder with a commitment to integrity and quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, private medical insurance, and more.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a supportive team culture await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the construction industry while developing your career.
- Qualifications: HNC/HND in Surveying or equivalent, with proven experience in quantity surveying.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Quantity Surveyor to join our team within Vistry Cornwall South West, at our Wadebridge site in Plymouth. As our Senior Quantity Surveyor, you will work within our wider Commercial, Estimating and Buying team, responsible for supervising, managing and advising on the financial and contractual aspects of multiple construction projects. You will take responsibility for the execution of the Quantity Surveying function on allocated contracts, fulfilling the requirements of the Company in maximising quality of service and profitability. You will provide a range of cost control and financial reporting duties across all aspects of construction work undertaken by the company.
We value in-person collaboration and team culture, but we're also committed to supporting flexible working where possible. We encourage you to raise any specific requirements during the interview process so we can explore how this could be accommodated.
What's in it for you:
- Competitive basic salary and annual bonus
- Company car, car allowance or travel allowance
- Salary sacrifice car scheme available to all employees
- Up to 39 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- 2 Volunteering days per annum
- Private medical insurance, with employee paid cover
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Competitive pension scheme through salary sacrifice
- Life assurance at 4 x your annual salary
- Share save and share incentive schemes
- Christmas company shutdown
- Employee rewards portal with many more benefits
In return, what we would like from you:
- Behave in line with our company values - Integrity, Caring and Quality
- HNC / HND in Surveying or equivalent
- Proven experience as a PQS / SQS / Commercial lead working within a residential house builder (dependent on position level)
- A good understanding of building regulations and legal obligations
- A good knowledge of construction methods and materials
- Strong mathematical and IT ability
- Ability to assess and analyse information
- Good business sense
- Good understanding of budget management
- Negotiating and networking skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Able to work under pressure, and accept criticism of work
- Good team working skills
- Accurate with an eye for detail
- A methodical approach
- Willing to work extra to meet deadlines as and when the business needs require it
Desirable:
- Degree in Surveying or similar
- Working towards being a Member of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), or Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
More about the Senior Quantity Surveyor role:
- Lead, support and coach your direct reports and the wider team to support their growth and development
- Be active in the recruitment of new starters to the team and throughout the employee life cycle, including holding development reviews and succession planning exercises
- Attend development meetings when appropriate, contract pre-start and subcontract package review meetings
- Upon receipt of Contract Documentation, check all contract drawings to identify errors, omissions, anomalies and areas where unnecessary cost may arise
- Receive initial tender information and assist in the preparation of the proposed tender lists and updating of subsequent procurement programmes
- Assess site staffing levels and build programmes with the Construction Director to ascertain preliminary costs, including collating all cost information and preparing the start on site budget
- Arrange and adjudicate budget settlement meetings, with the support of the wider Commercial team
- Prepare stage payment schedules to assist in the financing of the works
- Carry out pre-order meetings including all necessary Health & Safety requirements, finalising a tender sum and agreeing a stage payment schedule for payment purposes before preparing all contract documentation and placing the order
- Place subcontractor orders, including interviews and checking references on selected subcontractors. Negotiate the contract sum within the budget, including finalising costs to cover all late variations
- Issue variation orders and development changes alongside providing cost advice on major variations prior to issue. Issue revised contract drawings to subcontractors; negotiate the cost of variations including liaising between Buyers and Build Managers. Provide a full range of pricing information for purchaser's extras
- Check all costs posted to each contract, collate and reconcile all costs resulting from subcontract works, variation orders, site instructions, material orders and preliminary/running costs. Provide monthly analysis of costs and identify possible areas of over expenditure at future dates
- Check and arrange subcontractor payments, obtaining necessary authorisation for passing payments for all elements of subcontractor works. Agree final accounts with subcontractors, ensuring all works have been carried out within budget and analysing costs to assist on future estimates
- Take responsibility for the preparation of documents for the basis of external valuation with the client's agent (CSA, Stage payment schedule, Tick offs)
- Keep the RAMS schedule updated and issued to all relevant parties
- Place and issue sub-contract orders in accordance with Group Policy and Commercial Best Practice to budget and within programme requirements
- Attend and minute all sub-contract order adjudication meetings
- Compile reports on contract letting vs. estimate for each site periodically, as required
- Liaise with the build department on sub-contractors' performance and compliance with order conditions
- Liaise with company management and provide all necessary forecast and site budget information to meet the business's reporting requirements
- Control and report post contract cost movements per development every month. Update CV1 and CV2 site specific reports and provide details of all 'unscheduled' and 'scheduled' order revisions i.e. Site Instructions and site purchase orders. Provide such monthly reporting as required by the Commercial Manager
- Review professional fee provisions and statutory service cost, and credits, with the technical department
- Ensure invoices/applications for payments are processed in accordance with Vistry Group Standard Terms and Conditions of Contract
- Maintain a half yearly site reserve list
- Issue Payment Withhold Notices, where a contractor application, or part thereof, is in dispute in accordance with Construction Act
- Immediately advise management of notification of impending claim or legal action arising from a disputed claim or payment from a Sub-Contractor/service provider
- Where necessary, determine a sub-contract order in accordance with Standard Terms and Conditions of Employment and liaise with the Build Department in this respect
- Diligently use the Vistry Group construction system to manage site project administration, including orders, variations, valuations, etc.
- Assist in the regular review of materials on-site and material valuations
- Agree and process all sales variation requests, including works to show homes, stock plots and sales incentive works in accordance with group procedures
- Properly categorise on the construction system 'unscheduled' and 'scheduled' order amendments
- Settle all variation invoices/applications for payment in accordance with Vistry Group Standard Terms and Conditions of Contract
- Process groundwork's payments/applications for payment using the Vistry Group AGA payment system as outlined in Commercial Best Practice Manual
- Ensure the collection of retention against all sub-contract orders in accordance with Group Policy. Manage and certify retention releases on completion of the development
- Complete and agree sub-contract final accounts within 6 months of the last legal completion on-site and prior to the first release of retention to the individual sub-contractors
We build more than homes, we're making Vistry. Being a responsible developer and award-winning employer means we live each day through our ethos - doing the right thing. Our behaviours reflect this, as well as our values of integrity, caring and quality. Shaping all we do; they empower us to develop sustainable communities across affordable and private housing. We work in a partnership-led way, and you'll recognise our renowned brands Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Countryside Homes. Together with Vistry Works, our manufacturing operation, and the functional support of Vistry Services, we're a proud UK Green Building Council member, UK top five housebuilder with a five-star House Builders Federation (HBF) customer satisfaction rating, and winner of many awards including Top Employer, Global Top Inspiring Workplaces, and Best for Talent Attraction and Outreach.
Join us in making Vistry.
Senior Quantity Surveyor employer: All The Top Bananas
My Four Wheels is an exceptional employer, offering a rewarding career as a Trainee Driving Instructor with flexible working hours and the potential to earn up to £50,000+ annually. With comprehensive training provided through our new Training Academy, employees benefit from ongoing support and resources, ensuring a fulfilling journey towards becoming a qualified instructor while enjoying the satisfaction of teaching locally in Westfield, Surrey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Quantity Surveyor
✨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 All The Top Bananas, 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 All The Top Bananas.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Quantity Surveyor
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 All The Top Bananas
✨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!
