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- Tasks: Lead financial performance on exciting construction projects, focusing on groundworks.
- Company: Dynamic construction business prioritising strong client relationships and project efficiency.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, EBITDA share bonus, car allowance, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on protecting margins and improving project outcomes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the construction industry while developing your commercial skills.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Quantity Surveyor with strong knowledge of NEC and JCT contracts.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Location: Location not specified in brief. Likely site and office travel required. Full clean driving licence essential.
Salary / Rate: £70,000–£90,000 + EBITDA Share GBS Bonus Scheme + Car Allowance (TBC)
About the role: We are looking for a commercially strong Senior Quantity Surveyor to take ownership of the financial and contractual performance of multiple construction projects, with a particular focus on groundworks. This is a senior, hands-on role for someone who can protect margin, drive project profitability, manage risk properly under contract, and work closely with Project Managers to keep jobs commercially controlled from start to final account. You will act as the qualified commercial lead, ensuring variations, valuations, retentions, subcontractor packages and monthly CVRs are managed accurately and on time. The role suits a confident QS who understands how to balance strong client relationships with firm commercial discipline, and who is comfortable operating across NEC and JCT forms of contract.
Key responsibilities:
- Act as the commercial lead across live projects.
- Take accountability for overall financial performance and profitability.
- Work closely with Project Managers to ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget and in line with contract requirements.
- Identify, notify, price and submit variations immediately following change events.
- Maintain a live variation tracker on every project.
- Own all Applications for Payment and ensure submissions are made by contractual deadlines and company month-end procedures.
- Track valuation dates, payment notices and invoice requirements with clients and internal finance.
- Manage retentions and ensure release applications are made at the correct time.
- Issue and follow up commercial correspondence to protect 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 and records.
- Attend client meetings, project meetings and site inspections.
- Build strong working relationships with clients, principal contractors, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Requirements:
- Proven experience in a Quantity Surveyor or Commercial Manager role.
- Strong construction sector knowledge, with groundworks experience essential.
- Strong working knowledge of NEC and JCT contracts.
- Demonstrable experience managing variations, valuations, applications for payment, retentions and CVRs.
- Able to work closely with operational teams and Project Managers to improve project performance.
- Commercially assertive, detail-focused and confident dealing with clients.
- Full clean driving licence.
Desirable / nice-to-have background:
- Experience in specialist subcontracting environments.
- Background in civils, infrastructure, earthworks, drainage, roads and external works.
- Experience supporting or mentoring less commercially aware operational staff.
- Exposure to subcontract procurement and downstream contract management.
- Experience in businesses where margin protection, recovery of entitlement and cash collection are key performance drivers.
About the employer / environment:
The role appears to suit a delivery-focused construction business where the commercial function works closely with operations, finance and directors. The emphasis is on protecting GP%, improving project efficiency, maintaining strong client relationships, and ensuring no commercial entitlement is missed.
Best-Fit Candidates:
- Strong matches are likely to come from:
- Groundworks subcontractors
- Civil engineering subcontractors
- Enabling works contractors
- Infrastructure and utilities subcontractors
- RC frame / groundwork specialists
- Roads, drainage and external works contractors
- SME or mid-sized contractors where the QS is close to delivery and owns outcomes
Useful adjacent backgrounds:
- Senior QS from a civils or infrastructure subcontractor wanting broader ownership
- Commercial Manager from a smaller specialist contractor willing to step into a Senior QS title
- Project Quantity Surveyor ready to step up, provided they already have strong groundworks exposure and real ownership of applications, variations and CVRs
Alternative job titles that may map well:
- Senior Quantity Surveyor
- Quantity Surveyor
- Commercial Manager
- Senior Commercial Manager
- Managing Quantity Surveyor
- Project Quantity Surveyor
- Civils Quantity Surveyor
- Groundworks Quantity Surveyor
- Commercial Lead
- Contracts Surveyor
Suggested target companies:
- Ground Control
- OCU Group
- MJ Church
- Clancy
- Barhale
- Cappagh
- JRL Group
- Kilnbridge
- Winvic subcontract supply chain businesses
- Regional groundworks and civils specialists in the target geography
Senior Quantity Surveyor in Watford 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 in Watford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. 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 their work and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Senior Quantity Surveyor. Highlight your skills in managing variations, valuations, and client relationships to stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Quantity Surveyor in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in groundworks and your familiarity with NEC and JCT contracts. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for the Senior Quantity Surveyor role. Share specific examples of how you've managed financial performance and built strong client relationships.
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen: We’re looking for someone who can protect margins and drive profitability. In your application, highlight instances where you’ve successfully managed variations, valuations, and applications for payment. This will show us you mean business!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes it easier for us to keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at DARA PEOPLE LTD.
✨Know Your Contracts Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of NEC and JCT contracts. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed variations, valuations, and applications for payment in your previous roles. This will show that you can handle the commercial aspects of the job confidently.
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
Be ready to talk about how you've taken ownership of financial performance in past projects. Highlight specific examples where you've protected margins and driven project profitability. This will demonstrate your ability to manage risk and keep projects commercially controlled.
✨Build Strong Relationships
Emphasise your experience in building strong working relationships with clients, subcontractors, and internal teams. Share examples of how you've collaborated with Project Managers to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget. This is crucial for the role!
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving skills. Think about challenges you've faced in managing retentions or tracking valuation dates, and be ready to explain how you handled them. This will showcase your practical experience and decision-making abilities.