Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial aspects of exciting groundworks and civils projects across London.
- Company: Dynamic construction firm focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, car allowance, performance bonuses, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team environment where your contributions are valued.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a hands-on role with live projects and strong client relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in Quantity Surveying with a focus on groundworks and civils.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Location: Watford-based, with travel to live projects across London, Hertfordshire and the Home Counties.
Salary / Package: £70,000–£90,000 + car allowance + performance / EBITDA-linked bonus.
About the Role: We are looking for a commercially strong Senior Quantity Surveyor from a groundworks, civil engineering or specialist subcontractor background. This is a hands-on commercial lead role covering multiple live construction projects. You will take ownership of CVRs, applications for payment, variations, retentions, subcontractor accounts, commercial reporting and final accounts. The role is best suited to someone who is close to project delivery, comfortable working directly with Project Managers, and confident protecting margin while maintaining strong client relationships. You should be used to working in a commercially disciplined contractor or subcontractor environment where cash, entitlement, programme change and GP% matter. This is not a purely office-based measurement role. It needs someone commercially assertive, organised, contractually aware and able to keep live projects properly controlled from start to final account.
Key Responsibilities:
- Act as the commercial lead across multiple live groundworks / civils projects.
- Take ownership of project financial performance, commercial risk and profitability.
- Work closely with Project Managers to keep projects commercially controlled.
- Identify, notify, price and submit variations promptly following change events.
- Maintain live variation trackers across all projects.
- Prepare and submit Applications for Payment in line with contract deadlines.
- Track valuation dates, payment notices, invoices and client payment requirements.
- Manage retentions and ensure release applications are submitted at the correct time.
- Issue and follow up commercial correspondence to protect contractual entitlement.
- Support procurement and commercial management of subcontractor packages.
- Ensure subcontract terms reflect the main contract risk profile.
- Produce monthly CVRs and weekly commercial reporting.
- Maintain accurate commercial files, records and supporting evidence.
- Attend client meetings, project meetings and site inspections.
- Build effective relationships with clients, principal contractors, suppliers, Project Managers, finance and directors.
Requirements:
- Proven Quantity Surveying or Commercial Management experience in construction.
- Strong background in groundworks, civils, infrastructure, external works or specialist subcontracting.
- Good working knowledge of NEC and/or JCT contracts.
- Experience managing CVRs, variations, valuations, Applications for Payment, retentions and final accounts.
- Comfortable working closely with operational teams and Project Managers.
- Commercially assertive, detail-focused and confident dealing with clients.
- Able to commute to Watford and travel to live sites as required.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable Background:
- Groundworks subcontractor experience.
- Civil engineering subcontractor experience.
- Enabling works, drainage, roads, earthworks or external works exposure.
- RC frame / groundworks experience.
- Infrastructure or utilities experience.
- Subcontract procurement and downstream contract management.
- Experience in SME or mid-sized contractor environments.
- Experience mentoring Project Managers or operational teams on commercial discipline.
- Strong focus on margin protection, entitlement recovery and cash collection.
About the Environment: This is a delivery-focused construction environment where commercial, operations, finance and directors work closely together. The business needs someone who can protect GP%, improve project efficiency, manage commercial risk and ensure no entitlement is missed. You will suit this role if you enjoy being close to live projects, working with operational teams and taking real commercial ownership rather than sitting in a narrow reporting-only QS position.
Useful Matching Context: This role is likely to suit candidates from:
- Groundworks subcontractors
- Civil engineering subcontractors
- Enabling works contractors
- Infrastructure subcontractors
- External works contractors
- Drainage contractors
- Roads and highways contractors
- RC frame / groundworks specialists
- Utilities contractors
- Regional construction subcontractors
- SME or mid-sized contractors where the QS owns project outcomes
Relevant project exposure may include:
- Groundworks
- Drainage
- Roads
- 278 works
- External works
- Earthworks
- Concrete works
- Enabling works
- Infrastructure packages
- Civils packages
- Residential groundworks
- Commercial groundworks
- Public realm works
Alternative job titles may include:
- Senior Quantity Surveyor
- Quantity Surveyor
- Project Quantity Surveyor
- Civils Quantity Surveyor
- Groundworks Quantity Surveyor
- Commercial Manager
- Commercial Lead
- Managing Quantity Surveyor
- Contracts Surveyor
Senior Quantity Surveyor – Groundworks & Civils in Luton employer: DARA PEOPLE LTD.
Contact Detail:
DARA PEOPLE LTD. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Quantity Surveyor – Groundworks & Civils in Luton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals at events or online. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in what they do and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience and how it aligns with the role of Senior Quantity Surveyor. Highlight your commercial acumen and ability to manage project finances effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can keep you fresh in their minds and show your enthusiasm for the position. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your fit for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Quantity Surveyor – Groundworks & Civils in Luton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Senior Quantity Surveyor role. Highlight your background in groundworks and civils, and don’t forget to mention any relevant projects you've worked on!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Talk about your experience with CVRs, variations, and client relationships, and show us your passion for the construction industry.
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen: Since this role is all about commercial leadership, make sure to highlight your experience in managing project financial performance and risk. We want to see how you’ve protected margins and improved profitability in past roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at DARA PEOPLE LTD.
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Quantity Surveyor, you’ll need to be on top of your financial game. Brush up on your knowledge of CVRs, variations, and Applications for Payment. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past projects where you successfully managed these aspects.
✨Understand the Contracts
Familiarise yourself with NEC and JCT contracts, as they are crucial in this role. Prepare to explain how you've navigated contract terms in previous positions and how you ensured compliance while protecting margins.
✨Showcase Your Client Relationship Skills
This role requires strong client relationships, so think of instances where you’ve built rapport with clients or resolved conflicts. Be prepared to share how you maintained those relationships while ensuring project profitability.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving skills. Think about challenges you've faced in live projects and how you handled them. This will demonstrate your ability to stay commercially assertive and organised under pressure.