At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage costs and contracts for water services while ensuring compliance and value delivery.
- Company: Join South West Water, part of Pennon Group, committed to a greener future.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; be yourself and thrive with us.
- Why this job: Shape your career in a dynamic environment focused on sustainability and innovation.
- Qualifications: Degree in Quantity Surveying or related field; experience in utilities is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes. We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and support farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife. Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.
About the Role
We are seeking a commercially focused Quantity Surveyor to join our Commercial Team, supporting the effective management and control of high-volume reactive Repair & Maintenance (R&M) network contracts alongside other operational contracts across the business. Reporting to the Senior Quantity Surveyor, the successful candidate will be responsible for validating costs, reviewing payment applications, assessing Defined Cost under NEC contracts, and supporting the commercial administration of key operational contracts. This role plays a critical part in ensuring accurate cost control, contract compliance, and value delivery across a varied portfolio of works.
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial Management
- Review, challenge, and certify contractor payment applications accurately and fairly.
- Assess and validate Defined Cost submissions in accordance with contractual requirements.
- Review target cost build-ups and support pain/gain share assessments.
- Track and analyse actual expenditure against target costs and approved budgets.
- Monitor labour, plant, materials, and subcontractor costs to identify efficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
- Assess completed works, including reinstatement activities and material utilisation.
- Contract Administration
- Support the administration and management of NEC contracts.
- Draft and manage Early Warnings and Compensation Events in accordance with contractual processes.
- Assist with the review and evaluation of tender submissions.
- Support the optimisation of commercial and contract management processes.
- Risk & Performance Management
- Maintain contract risk registers and assess the potential financial impact of operational risks.
- Support forecasting, budgeting, accruals, and commercial reporting activities.
- Ensure contract trackers, purchase orders, and financial records remain accurate and up to date.
- Provide analysis and reporting to support business decision-making.
- Stakeholder Management
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with operational teams, supply chain partners, finance, legal, and wider commercial colleagues.
- Act as a first point of contact for resolving routine commercial queries and contract-related issues.
- Work collaboratively with operational managers to ensure accurate and timely cost data is available.
Person Specification
Essential Skills & Experience
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
- Analytical and detail-oriented approach to problem-solving.
- Competent user of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
- Basic understanding of the construction, utilities, or infrastructure sectors.
- Understanding of cost control and commercial management principles.
Desirable Skills & Experience
- Previous experience within utilities, water, construction, or infrastructure industries.
- Experience working with NEC contracts.
- Knowledge of SAP, CEMAR, Ellipse, or similar contract management systems.
- Experience reviewing payment applications and contractor costs.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline. Equivalent industry experience may be considered.
Desirable
- Membership of, or working towards membership of, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Chartered status (MRICS) desirable.
Closing Date: 11th Aug 2026
Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process. Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness. Our core values, which are essential to our success, are: Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on. Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way. Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Quantity Surveyor South West Water · Business, Corporate and Support Functions · Bristol employer: AquaCare, Company
As a Software Engineering Manager at South West Water, you will be part of a dynamic and innovative team dedicated to delivering impactful digital solutions that enhance critical business operations. Located in Exeter, the company offers a supportive work culture with flexible working options, competitive salaries, and comprehensive benefits, including a pension scheme and healthcare support, ensuring that employees are valued and have opportunities for growth and development in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quantity Surveyor South West Water · Business, Corporate and Support Functions · Bristol
✨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.
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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 Quantity Surveyor South West Water · Business, Corporate and Support Functions · Bristol at AquaCare, Company.
We think you need these skills to ace Quantity Surveyor South West Water · Business, Corporate and Support Functions · Bristol
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.
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How to prepare for a job interview at AquaCare, Company
✨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!
