At a Glance
- Tasks: Review contracts, identify risks, and shape the future of contract intelligence in construction.
- Company: Groundwork is an innovative AI-powered platform transforming contract management for UK construction.
- Benefits: Fully remote work, competitive salary, equity options, and flexible hours.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence the future of commercial management technology.
- Why this job: Join a founding team and make a real impact on the construction industry with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in Quantity Surveying or Commercial Management with strong contract knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About Groundwork
Groundwork is building the AI-powered contract intelligence platform for UK construction contractors. Every year, contractors sign contracts containing risks they don't fully understand until it's too late, leading to disputes, delayed payments, margin erosion, and avoidable losses. Groundwork helps commercial teams instantly understand JCT, NEC, SBCC, and bespoke contracts in plain English, with every risk linked back to the exact clause. We are an early-stage company working closely with contractors to build a product that commercial professionals genuinely trust.
The Opportunity
We are looking for an experienced Quantity Surveyor or Commercial Manager to join our founding team and help shape the future of contract intelligence for construction. This role is ideal for someone who has spent years reviewing contracts, managing commercial risk, negotiating terms, and protecting contractor margins and wants to apply that expertise to a technology product used across the industry. You won't be managing projects. You'll be helping us build the commercial brain behind the platform.
What You'll Do
- Review contract analyses produced by our AI systems
- Identify risks, omissions, and commercial implications that matter to contractors
- Help define how contract risks should be assessed and prioritised
- Contribute real-world commercial knowledge from live projects and negotiations
- Test contracts across JCT, NEC, SBCC, and bespoke agreements
- Help develop practical guidance that commercial teams can immediately act upon
- Work closely with founders, product, and engineering teams to improve platform accuracy
What We're Looking For
Essential:
- 5+ years' experience as a Quantity Surveyor, Senior QS, Commercial Manager, or Commercial Director
- Strong understanding of JCT and/or NEC contracts
- Experience reviewing and negotiating construction contracts
- Ability to explain contractual risks in commercial terms, not just legal language
- Contractor-side experience within UK construction
Highly Desirable
- Experience with NEC3 or NEC4 ECC
- Experience with amended or bespoke client contracts
- Subcontract management experience
- Adjudication, claims, or dispute resolution exposure
- Experience in sectors such as civils, rail, water, fit-out, residential, or infrastructure
What Success Looks Like
You can quickly identify:
- Hidden commercial risks
- Unbalanced contract amendments
- Cashflow and payment issues
- Extension of time and compensation event risks
- Design liability exposures
- Clauses that look harmless but create significant downstream risk
Most importantly, you understand how contract wording translates into real-world commercial outcomes.
Why Join Groundwork?
- Help build a category-defining AI platform for construction
- Work directly with the founding team
- Fully remote and flexible
- Competitive salary
- Equity participation available
- Opportunity to shape the future of commercial management technology
If you've spent your career protecting contractor margins and navigating complex contracts, we would love to hear from you. Apply with your LinkedIn profile or a brief summary of your experience.
Senior Quantity Surveyor / Commercial Manager in Birmingham employer: GroundWork AI
Groundwork is an exceptional employer for those looking to make a significant impact in the construction industry through innovative technology. With a fully remote and flexible work environment, competitive salary, and equity participation opportunities, employees can thrive while contributing to a category-defining AI platform. Joining our founding team means you'll have the chance to shape the future of commercial management technology, all while working closely with industry experts who value your insights and experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Quantity Surveyor / Commercial Manager in Birmingham
✨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 GroundWork AI, 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 / Commercial Manager at GroundWork AI.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Quantity Surveyor / Commercial Manager in Birmingham
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 GroundWork AI
✨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!
