At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial performance and drive cost efficiency on exciting civil engineering projects.
- Company: Join Barhale, a top-tier civil engineering firm with over 40 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, private medical, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a people-centric company that values your well-being and career aspirations.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in infrastructure while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in construction, strong communication skills, and familiarity with IChemE/NEC contracts.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
About Barhale
Barhale is a business founded on family values, having been established by our Chairman, Dennis Curran, in 1980. We are one of the largest privately owned civil engineering and infrastructure specialists in the UK, with over 40 years of experience in providing design, civil engineering and maintenance services working across multiple sectors, including:
- Water
- Transport
- Built environment
- Energy
We operate as a tier one partner for blue chip, regulated and private clients, working as part of large frameworks, joint ventures and alliances, as well as on individual standalone projects, developing long-term relationships based on delivering to the Barhale values which have been integral to our business since their inception in 1985.
Our direct delivery model is at the core of everything we do, as we believe that people are our greatest asset. Therefore, we robustly source, train and retain all our own frontline delivery teams as well as management and support services. We employ over 1,200 employees nationwide.
We possess a range of specialist skills to support our civil engineering and infrastructure activities, including:
- Tunnelling
- MEICA
- Temporary and permanent design
- Steel-fabrication
- Signs (design and fabrication)
- Health & safety equipment and products, including PPE
Why join Barhale?
- As Gold Investors in People, we are committed to a high standard of people practices, creating an inclusive environment and ensuring cultural alignment to business strategy, ethos and philosophies.
- Job security, long-term secured work through various frameworks and large infrastructure schemes.
- A broad range of civil engineering, mechanical and electrical schemes across some of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects and clients.
- Strong career progression as demonstrated by our track record in promoting from within, as we believe this is a key driver of our success.
Role Profile: Senior Quantity Surveyor
Reporting to: Managing Quantity Surveyor/Commercial Manager
Role Overview
The Senior Quantity Surveyor is an integral member of the project team, providing commercial leadership and support to project delivery teams and senior management. The role is critical in driving cost efficiency, delivering high-quality commercial analysis and ensuring effective risk and opportunity management across civil engineering projects.
Role Purpose
To lead and manage the commercial performance of projects, ensuring robust cost control, accurate reporting, effective cash management and strong contractual compliance. The role actively identifies and realises commercial opportunities while protecting the business from commercial risk and supporting continuous improvement in commercial practices.
Key Accountabilities
- Commercial Management & Governance
- Provide accurate and timely cost and value reporting at the project and business unit level.
- Ensure compliance with internal commercial processes and reporting timeframes.
- Actively seek opportunities to improve commercial procedures and controls.
- Support group and business unit reporting requirements.
- Financial Performance
- Deliver accurate cash flow reporting and cash management.
- Manage cost control and project forecasting.
- Draft and update monthly CVRs, cost plans and commercial plans.
- Compile upstream applications for payment.
- Ensure expenditure and cash recovery align with business unit expectations.
- Focus on driving value through subcontract procurement.
- Contract & Risk Management
- Manage main contract and subcontract agreements, primarily IChemE and NEC forms.
- Ensure contracts align with corporate governance requirements, identifying and managing risks and opportunities.
- Lead subcontract procurement, negotiation and post-contract management.
- Manage applications for payment through to final account settlement.
- Protect the business from commercial and contractual risk.
- Leadership & Capability
- Share best practices and proactively advise site teams on cost management and efficiencies.
- Support and guide junior commercial staff.
- Demonstrate strong problem-solving and decision-making capability.
- Actively develop professional competence and commercial expertise.
- Stakeholder Management
- Liaise with clients, client representatives and third parties on commercial matters.
- Build and maintain strong supply chain relationships.
- Work closely with the wider project team to manage commercial performance.
- Act as a trusted commercial advisor to operational teams.
Key Interfaces
- Commercial Manager / Managing Surveyor
- Project Managers and Project Teams
- Clients and Client Representatives
- Subcontractors and Supply Chain
- Finance and Commercial Teams
- Inter-company trading
Proactively optimise inter-company trading wherever possible. Collaborate effectively within the corporate group entities.
Success Measures (KPIs)
- Project margin and cash performance versus forecast.
- Accuracy and quality of CVRs and commercial reporting.
- Effective management of subcontract procurement and accounts.
- Identification and realisation of commercial opportunities.
- Control and mitigation of commercial and contractual risk.
About you
Essential
- Previous experience in the construction industry.
- Familiarity with IChemE/ NEC forms of contract and knowledge and understanding of Construction Law.
- Previous experience in commercial management and procurement of subcontractors, including chairing regular meetings, measurement and control cycle, certificates, and accruals calculations.
- Demonstrable experience in monthly forecasting and cost analysis.
- Excellent communication, numeric and computer literacy skills, proficient in Microsoft Office.
- Exemplary organisation and time management skills, with the ability to work effectively under tight deadlines.
Desirable
- Member of RICS or other relevant professional body, or working towards.
- CSCS card.
- HND/degree (or equivalent) in Quantity Surveying.
- Demonstrable knowledge and experience in estimation.
- Experience working for a direct delivery contractor.
- An engaging communicator with problem-solving skills.
Caring and investing in you
Our values have been embedded at Barhale for over 40 years, and they are our guiding principles regarding how we care and invest in people. Our values are our commitment to being a people-centric company.
As a Gold Investors in People company and a Sunday Times 100 Best Company to Work For, we are committed to investing in people. We are passionate about creating a working environment where people are supported throughout their careers, where people can enjoy security and be part of a company that cares about them.
From the moment you join us, your well-being and career aspirations will be supported by:
- Competitive salary
- Company Pension
- Life Assurance
- Private Medical
- 25 days of annual leave in addition to 8 public bank holidays and loyalty days
- 8 hours volunteering
- Employee Assistance Programme to support your mental, physiological and financial wellbeing
- Flexible benefits via salary sacrifice
- Company car/green car scheme/car allowance/Van (dependent on position)
- Leadership & management training and coaching
- Regular line management engagement and appraisal to support your career progression
- Development supported by internal and externally delivered training
- Continuous service awards
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Quantity Surveyor in Abbey Wood
✨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 Barhale, 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 Barhale.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Quantity Surveyor in Abbey Wood
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 Barhale
✨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!
