At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting water projects, managing costs and ensuring sustainability.
- Company: Join Arcadis, a global leader in sustainable design and consultancy.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the environment while working on iconic projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in cost management and NEC contracts is essential.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Job ID: 42960
Location: London, Greater London, United Kingdom | Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom | Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom | Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom | Brighton, United Kingdom
Department: Cost & Commercial Management
Business Unit: AUK UK
Date Posted: 2026-08-03
Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets. We are currently seeking a number of personable, enthusiastic, and energetic Senior Quantity Surveyors to join our Cost & Commercial Management team to support our continuing growth within our resilience business for a Global Client in the Water Sector.
You will be a Senior Cost Consultant within our Cost & Commercial Management team, working on a variety of water/utilities projects and programmes in the Reading and London area. You’ll help deliver some of the biggest, most iconic projects imaginable with some of the best talent around. The role sits within our Resilience GBA, where we work to protect our natural environment and water resources while powering our world for future generations.
In this role, you will take ownership of a range of projects on cost management assignments, ensuring that standards of delivery meet defined objectives. Our team of Graduate, Assistant, Project, & Senior level Cost Consultants work on a variety of clean and wastewater projects and support our clients with the protection and enhancement of environmental matters across the country.
Key Responsibilities:
- Working as part of and leading a team alongside the Commission Lead, with the ability to take ownership of projects and manage and administer the post-contract administration of NEC contracts, including assessment of contractual change and payments.
- Establishing friendly, professional and appropriate relationships with clients, colleagues and other parties involved in the projects and programmes we support.
- Working within established financial systems to provide accurate project cost monitoring, forecasting and reporting to completion in line with budget.
- Proactively monitor and manage cost variance and contract cash flow to ensure that applications are made correctly and on time through all gateways to minimise cost and scope changes throughout the project life cycle.
- Collaborating with client and commercial teams to manage the delivery of project deliverables, KPIs, and objectives, including programme performance, cost control, and value engineering.
- Providing advice on and managing Risk and value management/meetings as required for the projects.
- Managing relationships and collaborating with clients and external stakeholders to ensure client satisfaction and create new business opportunities.
- Analysing and reviewing a range of data and documents to collate key themes and trends, using this analysis in conjunction with own knowledge to provide advice and make recommendations to support cost and commercial management decision-making.
- Leading people and commissions as needed.
- Ensuring that final accounts are audited, negotiated and agreed.
Other requirements:
- Hybrid working with requirements for client travel between London & Reading areas.
- Good knowledge of specialised fields, including construction processes and cost and commercial management in a consultancy setting.
- NEC Contract experience.
- Possess the skills to actively support the internal team and manage more junior staff on projects typically ranging between 5m and 40m.
- Good knowledge of construction industry technical matters, such as different procurement routes, value management and value engineering.
- Experience in managing, coaching and mentoring more junior colleagues and emerging leadership skills.
- Capable of taking a project through from inception to completion.
You’ll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you’ll be helping to deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet.
Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging: We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day which is why we take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves to account for our actions. Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of how we improve quality of life and we work closely with our people across six ED&I Workstreams: Age, Disability, Faith, Gender, LGBT+ and Race.
Senior QS - Water/Construction in London employer: Arcadis
Arcadis UK is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, where sustainability and resilience are at the forefront of our projects. Employees benefit from continuous professional development opportunities, a supportive environment, and the chance to work on impactful projects in the water and energy sectors. Located in the UK, we offer a dynamic workplace that values diversity and encourages creative solutions to complex engineering challenges.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior QS - Water/Construction in London
✨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 Arcadis, 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 QS - Water/Construction at Arcadis.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior QS - Water/Construction in London
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 Arcadis
✨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!
