At a Glance
- Tasks: Take charge of commercial performance on exciting groundworks projects from start to finish.
- Company: Join a family-run contractor with over 30 years of experience in the South West.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company vehicle, pension, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Work-life balance in a stable, growing business with clear progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Gain real ownership of your projects and influence the company's growth.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in quantity surveying within groundworks or civils environments.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Senior Quantity Surveyor Groundworks & Civils
Salary: £70,000 + vehicle, fuel card & benefits
Location: South West (Somerset / Devon / Cornwall patch)
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Harbron Recruit is exclusively retained to find an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor for a long-established, family-run groundworks and civils contractor. Our client has been delivering projects across the South West for over 30 years and works with national housebuilders and tier-one main contractors on residential developments up to £10m+.
Following a number of recent project starts and a strong forward order book, they're now hiring a Senior QS to take ownership of the commercial performance of multiple live projects. This is a full-cycle commercial role with real autonomy. You'll report directly to the commercial lead and work closely with the directors of the business. Not a corporate, top-heavy commercial team; a business where the QS runs their own patch and gets credit for delivering projects from tender to final account. It's also a role with genuine scope to shape and improve the commercial systems and processes as the business grows.
- Full commercial ownership of live groundworks projects from tender through to final account
- Cost plans, estimates and bills of quantities
- Pricing and procuring subcontract packages, plant, labour and materials
- Managing monthly applications, valuations and payment certificates
- Reviewing contract terms; managing variations and compensation events
- Producing monthly CVRs and forecasts
- Settling final accounts and managing retentions
- Resolving commercial disputes early
What we're looking for:
- Proven Senior QS experience within groundworks, civils or housebuilder subcontract environments
- Strong working knowledge of S38/S278 highways, foul and surface water drainage, and plot works
- Confident running multiple live projects simultaneously
- JCT and/or NEC contract experience
- Strong Excel skills and confidence building commercial reports and reconciliations from scratch
- HNC/HND/Degree in Quantity Surveying or equivalent
- Full UK driving licence
You'll thrive here if you want ownership of your projects rather than being one cog in a large commercial team, prefer working in a business where the directors know your name, and want the chance to influence how the commercial function evolves as the company grows.
Benefits:
- £70,000 base salary
- Company vehicle + fuel card
- Pension
- Holiday plus bank holidays
- Mobile and laptop
- Realistic progression to Commercial Manager
- A stable, growing family business with proper work-life balance
How to apply: Harbron Recruit Specialist Recruitment for the UK Construction Sector
Application question(s):
- How many years of Quantity Surveying experience do you have in groundworks, civils, or housebuilder subcontract environments?
- Do you have hands-on commercial experience of Section 38 and/or Section 278 highways works?
- How would you describe your Excel skills for commercial reporting (CVRs, valuations, cost reconciliations)? Options: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced
- Which contract forms have you worked under? (Select all that apply) Options: JCT / NEC / Bespoke main contractor terms / Other
- Do you hold a full UK driving licence?
- Are you within commutable distance of the Somerset / Devon / Cornwall area, or willing to relocate?
Locations
Project / Senior QS in Bath, Somerset employer: HARBRON RECRUIT Ltd
Join our dedicated team in Cullompton, Devon, where we prioritise a supportive work culture and offer competitive pay of £16.68 per hour for Labourers. We believe in fostering employee growth through ongoing training and development opportunities, ensuring that you can build a rewarding career while contributing to exciting landscaping projects in a vibrant community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project / Senior QS in Bath, Somerset
✨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 HARBRON RECRUIT Ltd, 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 Project / Senior QS at HARBRON RECRUIT Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Project / Senior QS in Bath, Somerset
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 HARBRON RECRUIT Ltd
✨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!