Associate Quantity Surveyor in Birmingham

Our small Canadian-born business was founded in 1978 and has become a global organization that now spans 120 locations across 20 countries. Our expansion has been rapid, but what matters most is the common belief that drives all 5,000 of our people to be a different type of real estate organization. We believe that the places in which we live, work and play have the power to make us happier and healthier, and we are united by a shared sense of purpose, to have a positive impact on people’s lives. In short, we are a global commercial real estate advisory firm with a simple aim: for real estate to play a leading role in creating vibrant buildings, cities and places that deliver long-lasting social value and economic impact.

We believe that our industry is changing, and we want our business to be a melting pot of curious minds, passionate hearts and strategic intelligence. Your gender, religion and race are all highly respected, but are less important to us than your ability to step up and change the game. We provide you with a place where you can do just that, with like-minded people. Collaboration is embedded in the way we work – our people have the autonomy to collaborate on client relationships, engage teams across the business, lead operations, work collectively on projects, participate in strategy and are ultimately responsible for our growth. Our distinctive Principal-led, privately-owned model puts us in the enviable position of being able to offer every employee the opportunity to own a share of our business and inspires and allows anyone to become a Principal. This role carries voting rights, so our people have a very real say in the future direction and operation of our business. This means that we are able to attract, engage and retain the best talent from the industry.

We are looking to hire a highly skilled chartered Quantity Surveying professional. With experience gained within private practice or within a house builder or Housing Association you are willing and able to work in a team environment or on your own. You will have excellent commercial and residential experience and will work on a portfolio of challenging projects. You will be highly motivated and will have a proven ability to provide high quality service to clients. This opportunity offers excellent career prospects with rapid progression in a vibrant office.

Main Duties, Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Bank Monitoring and Cost Consultancy: You will need to be able to demonstrate experience of the Procurement and Development process through feasibility to practical completion, whilst providing accurate and up to date costing information. You will be analytical, have a flair for numerical data and be prepared to assume responsibility from Procurement to final account.

Bank Monitoring:

• Manage and undertake a portfolio of development monitoring projects from initial pre lending appraisal through to completion of the developments;
• Undertaking the initial appraisal of the proposed development comprising a review of the Borrower’s cost plan and a detailed risk analysis of every aspect of the proposed development to assess the risks to the Bank/Funder;
• Prepare the initial appraisal report to clearly identify our assessment of the potential risks and shortcomings in the Borrower’s proposals and our recommendations on the actions and precautions that can be taken to protect the interests of the Bank/Funder;
• Undertaking regular site inspections, attending progress meetings and valuation meetings and prepare monthly progress reports for the Bank/Funder;
• Approve valuation and drawdowns.

Cost Consultancy:

• Prepare initial and subsequent cost estimates for the construction and associated costs of specified projects;
• Administer and prepare progress payments throughout the duration of the project and final accounts at completion;
• Advise on and prepare appropriate forms of contract documentation to ensure that clients’ interests are protected at all times;
• Undertake QS pre and post contract roles for project related work;
• Manage the financial aspects of the building contract and advise on so the work can be approved where necessary and the budget/payments are amended accordingly;
• Monitor cash flow and expenditure against approved budgets ensuring any shortfall is fully explained and appropriate supplemental budgets applied for and obtained;
• Provide cost advisory support to Building and other business units and support cross team proposals/tenders;
• Undertake RCAs for Building and other business units including Corporate Recovery and Valuation, the latter being of some large scale assessments of properties/portfolios in the UK and abroad.

Desired Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Varied experience in construction sectors. Experience of the residential development process would be advantageous;
• Ability to demonstrate core QS skills and operate in a commercial context such as preparation of estimates, cost plans, budgets, cashflow forecasts, RCAs, interim and final accounts, valuations and payment certificates etc;
• Client facing with good relationship-building/networking skills;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Good presentation and client skills;
• Ability to write technical reports to lay clients;
• Ability to work unsupervised;
• Analytical and thorough;
• Knowledge of forms of appointments and collateral warranties;
• Cost experience of a wide range of buildings.

Qualifications: MRICS

Avison Young is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to treating all its employees and job applicants equitably. This includes implementing deliberate strategies that advance underrepresented communities in commercial real estate careers. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to removing any obstacles to inclusion. If you need any adjustments to support your application or any part of the recruitment process, please contact us at careers.uk@avisonyoung.com and we will do everything we can to help.