Senior Quantity Surveyor

We are the public body that looks after England’s historic environment. We champion historic places, helping people understand, value and care for them. Historic England has a fantastic opportunity for you to join us as our Senior Quantity Surveyor. This is a full time, fixed-term contract until 31st March 2030. The location of this role is National where we offer hybrid working, you will be based in one of our following offices and from home – Newcastle, York, Manchester, Birmingham, Swindon, Bristol, Portsmouth (Fort Cumberland), London and Cambridge.

Salary range: We offer a wide benefits package including a competitive defined benefit pension scheme to which we make 28.97% employer contributions, a generous 28 days holiday, corporate discounts, free entry into English Heritage sites across the country and development opportunities to ensure you achieve your goals.

What you will be doing: The Technical Conservation Team in the National Specialist Services Department specialises in the conservation of buildings, structures and landscapes. We set standards and provide specialist technical services and strategic leadership on the technical aspects of the care, repair, maintenance and adaptation of the historic built environment. We do this by developing and promoting evidence-based technical guidance and best practice to support those who care for and make decisions about the stewardship of the historic environment. In this in-house client side advisory role, you will play an active part in developing, maintaining and promoting appropriate standards, guidance and best practice on the application of quantity surveying and construction procurement in respect of our advisory and grant giving functions. This will include providing specific cost, procurement and QS advice/services to deliver repairs and conservation works contracts relating to nationally and regionally managed grant projects, and properties owned and managed by Historic England.

Who we are looking for: You must be a Chartered Quantity Survey (MRCIS or FRICS) to apply for this role. Experience of the range of procurement methods available in the construction industry. Experience of various Standard Forms of Contract (e.g. JCT & NEC suites) and preparation of associated tender and contract documentation. Experience in dealing with a wide range of contractual issues. Experience of working with repairs and alterations to existing buildings. Knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 and Public Procurement. Ability to undertake critical review of documentation prepared by others, identify errors, omissions and risks, give constructive advice, and recommend mitigation.

We are an equal opportunity employer which values diversity and inclusion. If you have a disability or neurodiversity, we would be happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the job with you. Having won the Gold Award from MIND for workplace wellbeing in seven consecutive years, we also recognise the importance of a healthy work-life balance. We are an inclusive employer and believe that flexible working options are for everyone. We want to make sure our working arrangements don’t prevent anyone from joining us because of their personal circumstances. We also want to provide you with the best balance in your home and work life that we can. We are open to considering options including job sharing, part-time working, compressed hours working and different working locations, including hybrid working.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates and candidates with disabilities as they are underrepresented within Historic England at this level.

Why work for Historic England: We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for everyone. Diversity helps us to perform better and attract more people to support our work. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. Historic England wants all of our candidates to shine in the recruitment process. Please tell us what we can do to make sure you can show us your very best self. You can contact us by email at recruitmentTeam@Historicengland.org.uk if you have any recruitment queries.

At Historic England we use a hiring system called Applied. Applied is a behavioural science-backed recruitment platform that reduces bias, improves quality of hire and increases diversity. We do not use CV application for the majority of our hiring processes. You will answer a selection of questions that allow our hiring teams to test your skills and suitability for the role. At Historic England, we value the expertise and individuality each candidate brings and want to hear about this in your own words. If you require the use or AI tools or other resources to support your application, we ask that all information is factually accurate, original, and reflects your own experience. To best represent yourself, we encourage you to write in your own words and use AI-generated content only as inspiration—not as direct input.