At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage commercial aspects of construction projects and ensure financial success.
- Company: Join a dynamic contractor experiencing rapid growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, significant autonomy, and opportunities for career advancement.
- Other info: Flexible approach to hiring; candidates with diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping project management and influencing commercial processes.
- Qualifications: Experience in quantity surveying or commercial management is essential.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Lisburn, with travel to project sites as required
Salary: £55,000-£65,000, depending on experience
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Closing date: Ongoing recruitment
An Exclusive Opportunity Through Happy Jobs NI
Happy Jobs NI is delighted to be exclusively representing an established and growing contractor in the appointment of an experienced Quantity Surveyor. The client is a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation currently experiencing rapid growth, with ambitious plans for continued expansion.
As part of this growth, the business is strengthening its commercial capability and investing in the people, systems and processes required to support its future development. The organisation delivers a diverse portfolio of construction, civil engineering and infrastructure projects where effective commercial control, strong contract management and accurate forecasting are essential.
This is a commercially influential opportunity for a Quantity Surveyor who is comfortable taking ownership of projects from tender handover through delivery, change management, final account and cash recovery. Candidates do not need to come from one particular sector or meet every element of the role profile. Relevant experience gained within construction, civil engineering, utilities, infrastructure or another project-based environment could transfer particularly well.
About the Role
Reporting to the Contracts Manager and working closely with Project Managers, Finance and operational teams, the Quantity Surveyor will take responsibility for the day-to-day commercial management of assigned projects. The successful candidate will establish robust commercial controls, produce accurate forecasts, manage contractual change and ensure that work completed is properly valued, applied for, certified, invoiced and collected.
Alongside project delivery, the Quantity Surveyor will have the opportunity to influence commercial processes, reporting systems and working practices across a growing contractor. This is an opportunity to join at a pivotal stage in the organisation's development, influence how projects are commercially managed and play a visible role in supporting its continued success and expansion.
Key Responsibilities
- Review tender estimates, pricing information, qualifications, exclusions, programmes and contract terms before project mobilisation.
- Lead the commercial handover of assigned projects and establish budgets, cost codes, procurement schedules and cash-flow forecasts.
- Maintain accurate records of commitments, actual costs, liabilities, accruals, earned value and forecast final costs.
- Prepare monthly cost-value reconciliations and forecasts covering revenue, margin, cost and cash.
- Work with Project Managers to validate progress, productivity, resource use and remaining project scope.
- Prepare and submit accurate interim applications, valuations and supporting documentation.
- Challenge under-certification and support the recovery of outstanding value, retentions and overdue payments.
- Identify contractual changes and ensure notices, early warnings and compensation events are issued within the required timescales.
- Prepare and negotiate quotations and assessments for variations and compensation events.
- Protect contractual entitlement through accurate records, correspondence and audit trails.
- Support procurement and ensure subcontract orders clearly define scope, price, programme and commercial obligations.
- Assess subcontractor applications, variations and final accounts.
- Provide practical commercial advice to project and operational teams.
- Build effective relationships with client commercial teams, consultants, suppliers and subcontractors.
- Prepare, substantiate and negotiate client and subcontractor final accounts.
- Identify commercial risks and adverse trends early, recommending corrective action to protect margin and cash.
- Contribute to the continued improvement of commercial systems, templates, reporting and project controls.
About You
Applicants will ideally be able to demonstrate:
- Strong quantity surveying or commercial management experience within construction, civil engineering, utilities, infrastructure or another relevant project environment.
- The ability to commercially manage assigned projects with a high degree of independence.
- Experience of valuations, applications, cost reporting, forecasting and cost-value reconciliation.
- Experience of contractual change control, variations, claims or compensation events.
- Knowledge of subcontractor procurement, payment assessment and final accounts.
- The ability to identify commercial risks and protect contractual entitlement.
- Strong negotiation, numerical, analytical and communication skills.
- The confidence to challenge constructively and provide practical commercial advice.
- The ability to work collaboratively with project and operational teams while maintaining commercial discipline.
- A degree, HND or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction, Civil Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
- Five or more years' relevant experience.
Desirable Experience
The following would be advantageous:
- Practical knowledge of NEC or other recognised construction contracts.
- Experience of early warnings, compensation events and contractual notices.
- Experience of managing projects through to final account and commercial close-out.
- Experience of commercial claims, negotiations or dispute resolution.
- Professional membership of RICS, ICES or an equivalent body.
- Chartered status is not essential, and candidates who meet most but not every criterion are encouraged to apply.
What We Offer
- A salary of £55,000-£65,000, reflecting experience and commercial capability.
- A permanent and commercially influential position.
- The opportunity to join a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation during a significant period of growth.
- A visible role supporting the organisation's ambitious expansion plans.
- Significant autonomy across the full project lifecycle.
- Direct access to operational and senior decision-makers.
- The scope to influence commercial systems, processes and project controls.
- Exposure to varied construction, engineering and infrastructure projects.
- A key role in protecting project value, margin and cash performance.
- Long-term opportunities as the organisation's project portfolio and commercial function continue to develop.
The organisation is taking a flexible approach to this appointment and is advertising the opportunity across two salary bands. One appointment will be made, with the final salary and scope of responsibility reflecting the successful candidate's experience and capabilities.
Application Process
Apply now by submitting an up-to-date CV through Happy Jobs NI. A member of the Happy Jobs NI team will contact suitable applicants to discuss the opportunity, their experience and the next steps. Confidential initial conversations are welcomed from experienced professionals who may not be actively applying for roles but would be interested in learning more.
Quantity Surveyor (Exclusive Role) employer: Happy Jobs NI
As a leading infrastructure and civil engineering contractor in Northern Ireland, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic work culture that values collaboration and innovation. Our employees benefit from comprehensive professional development opportunities, competitive remuneration, and a supportive environment that encourages growth and leadership. Join us to be part of a team that is committed to delivering excellence while making a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quantity Surveyor (Exclusive Role)
✨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 Happy Jobs NI, 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 Quantity Surveyor (Exclusive Role) at Happy Jobs NI.
We think you need these skills to ace Quantity Surveyor (Exclusive Role)
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 Happy Jobs NI
✨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!