At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead cost management and contract oversight for housing repairs and maintenance projects.
- Company: Join Southwark Council, a forward-thinking public sector employer.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a chance to make a difference in the community.
- Other info: Enjoy a mix of office work and site visits with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of housing while managing substantial budgets and leading a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Extensive quantity surveying experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 54360 - 61686 £ per year.
To provide senior‑level quantity surveying and commercial management support across housing repairs, maintenance, and investment programmes. The role is responsible for cost planning, budget control, procurement, contract management, and financial governance to ensure value for money, compliance, and effective delivery of housing asset works. The postholder will also provide technical leadership and guidance to Quantity Surveyors and support strategic decision‑making within the Housing Asset Management function.
Key Responsibilities
- Cost Management & Budget Control
- Lead cost planning, estimating, and financial control across planned maintenance, repairs, and refurbishment programmes.
- Manage and monitor budgets of up to £12m, ensuring effective cost control and forecasting.
- Control variations and ensure all expenditure is properly justified, authorised, and recorded.
- Prepare final accounts and financial reconciliation for completed works.
- Contract & Procurement Management
- Prepare tender and pricing documentation for works and service contracts.
- Evaluate tender submissions and produce commercial recommendations.
- Manage contracts throughout the project lifecycle, including payments, valuations, and adjustments.
- Resolve contractual disputes and support agreement of final accounts.
- Commercial & Strategic Advice
- Provide expert quantity surveying advice to senior managers and stakeholders.
- Support strategic planning through cost data, benchmarking, and long‑term expenditure forecasting.
- Undertake value engineering and risk analysis to ensure value for money and risk mitigation.
- Ensure compliance with procurement rules, contract standing orders, and governance frameworks.
- Team Leadership & Management
- Manage, supervise, and develop a small team of Quantity Surveyors and/or consultants.
- Provide mentoring, performance management, and training support.
- Allocate work and oversee delivery of outputs from internal and external resources.
- Stakeholder & Reporting
- Prepare reports for senior management, councillors, tenant groups, and other stakeholders.
- Communicate financial performance, risks, and project progress clearly and accurately.
- Engage with contractors, suppliers, consultants, and resident representatives.
- Leaseholder & Compliance Work
- Prepare cost estimates, notices, and financial documentation for leaseholder and housing charge purposes.
- Support dispute resolution and act as technical advisor in valuation and legal processes where required.
- Ensure compliance with audit requirements and financial controls.
- Site & Operational Duties
- Undertake site visits to verify completed works and ensure valuation accuracy.
- Support inspection of works where required, including emergency or urgent situations.
- Occasional out‑of‑hours attendance for urgent housing or safety matters.
Person Specification (Summary)
Essential Skills & Experience
- Extensive experience in Quantity Surveying within housing, maintenance, or construction.
- Strong knowledge of contract administration (e.g. JCT contracts).
- Proven experience managing multi‑million‑pound budgets.
- Experience in procurement, tendering, and contractor management.
- Ability to lead and manage staff or consultants.
- Strong analytical, negotiation, and financial control skills.
Behavioural Requirements
- Strong commitment to public sector values and value for money.
- Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders.
- High level of integrity, accuracy, and accountability.
- Strong communication skills, including report writing and presentations.
Working Environment
- Combination of office‑based work and site visits.
- Engagement with contractors, residents, and senior council stakeholders.
- Occasional evening or weekend work for urgent matters.
- Requirement to follow health & safety procedures and use protective equipment when necessary.
Senior Quantity Surveyor – Repairs & Maintenance – AR employer: Carrington Blake Recruitment
Southwark Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the professional growth of its employees while fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture. As a Senior Quantity Surveyor, you will benefit from competitive salaries, comprehensive training opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the community through housing repairs and maintenance projects. With a strong commitment to public sector values, Southwark Council offers a supportive environment where your expertise will be valued and your contributions recognised.
Contact Details:
Carrington Blake Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Quantity Surveyor – Repairs & Maintenance – AR
✨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!
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Quantity Surveyor – Repairs & Maintenance – AR
Some tips for your application 🫡
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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.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Carrington Blake Recruitment
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
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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.
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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.
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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!