At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage subcontract packages and support commercial management on a major student accommodation project.
- Company: Leading London developer with a strong pipeline of exciting projects.
- Benefits: Up to £50,000 salary, performance bonus, travel allowance, and pension.
- Other info: Strong career growth opportunities with a supportive commercial leadership team.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience and progress to Project Quantity Surveyor in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Quantity Surveying or related field, plus 2+ years' experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
An excellent opportunity has arisen for an ambitious Assistant Quantity Surveyor to join a leading London developer delivering a major new high-rise student accommodation scheme in North West London. The development will deliver approximately 1,000 student bedrooms across a substantial multi-storey RC-frame scheme, together with extensive resident amenities, communal areas and landscaped public realm. This is a strong opportunity for an Assistant QS looking to move beyond a purely support-based position and take genuine commercial responsibility for their own subcontract packages on a large, complex development.
You’ll join an experienced commercial team and work closely with Senior Quantity Surveyors and the Commercial Manager, gaining exposure to the full commercial lifecycle from procurement and tendering through to cost reporting and final account. The developer has a strong pipeline of major London projects, providing excellent long-term career prospects and a clear route towards Project Quantity Surveyor level.
The Role: As Assistant Quantity Surveyor, you'll take responsibility for allocated subcontract packages while supporting the wider commercial management of the development. You'll be involved from early procurement through construction and account management, developing the commercial skills required to independently manage increasingly significant packages. This role is designed for someone who wants to build genuine project ownership and progress their career within a major developer environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Take commercial responsibility for allocated subcontract packages
- Assist with procurement strategies and package planning
- Prepare tender enquiries and issue subcontract tender documentation
- Analyse tender returns and assist with commercial comparisons
- Support subcontractor negotiations and appointments
- Manage subcontractor valuations and payment applications
- Monitor variations, change control and package expenditure
- Maintain accurate package cost information
- Assist with CVRs, forecasts and monthly commercial reporting
- Monitor committed costs against package budgets
- Identify commercial risks and opportunities
- Support value engineering and cost-efficiency initiatives
- Maintain strong working relationships with subcontractors and the supply chain
- Work closely with construction, design and technical teams
- Assist with contractual correspondence and commercial administration
- Progress subcontract packages through to final account
- Support Senior Quantity Surveyors and the Commercial Manager across the wider scheme
About You: The successful candidate will ideally have:
- A degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or a related discipline, or be working towards one
- Around 2+ years' Quantity Surveying experience
- Experience within the UK construction industry
- A background with a residential developer or main contractor preferred
- Residential, PBSA or mixed-use experience advantageous
- Exposure to RC-frame or multi-storey construction beneficial
- Experience assisting with or independently managing subcontract packages
- A good understanding of procurement, valuations, variations and subcontractor accounts
- Strong numerical and commercial awareness
- Good communication and stakeholder-management skills
- A proactive and organised approach
- Ambition to progress into a Project Quantity Surveyor role
This position offers a genuine pathway into Project Quantity Surveyor level. As your experience develops, you'll take ownership of larger and more complex packages, become increasingly involved in CVRs and forecasting and gain broader exposure to senior commercial management. The business actively develops its commercial staff internally, and with a substantial future project pipeline across London, there is strong scope for long-term progression beyond the initial scheme.
Why Join?
- Work directly for a leading London developer
- Manage your own subcontract packages
- Exposure from procurement through to final account
- Learn from an experienced commercial leadership team
- Genuine progression to Project Quantity Surveyor
- Strong pipeline of major London developments
- Long-term career opportunity within a growing business
What's on Offer:
- Basic salary up to £50,000
- Car or travel allowance
- Performance-related bonus
- Pension
- Clear long-term career progression
*Please note that all conversations will be treated in the strictest confidence. Any CV or personal information shared will remain confidential and will not be sent to any client or third party without your prior written consent.
Assistant Quantity Surveyor employer: AW Recruitment
As a leading employer in the London residential development sector, we offer Project Quantity Surveyors the chance to work on landmark projects with substantial financial backing and a strong pipeline of future developments. Our culture promotes genuine career progression, allowing ambitious professionals to take ownership of significant packages while benefiting from comprehensive support and mentorship from experienced leaders. With competitive benefits, including performance-related bonuses and private healthcare, we are committed to fostering a rewarding and dynamic work environment for our employees.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant 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 AW Recruitment, 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 Assistant Quantity Surveyor at AW Recruitment.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant 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 AW Recruitment
✨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!
