At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage costs for complex projects, ensuring value and quality from budgeting to final accounts.
- Company: Leading firm in infrastructure and building projects with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel allowance, bonus, private healthcare, and non-contributory pension.
- Other info: Hands-on role with excellent career growth and supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Join a client-side role influencing cost strategies on high-value, technical projects.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in cost management, strong communication, and experience in complex environments.
London | Complex Buildings & Infrastructure
Package: £65,000 – £85,000 + travel allowance, bonus, non-contributory pension, private healthcare, life insurance, and more.
The Role
Our client is seeking an experienced Quantity Surveyor / Cost Manager to join their commercial team, supporting a mix of Business-as-Usual (BAU) works and major capital expenditure projects across a portfolio of complex, technical assets.
While the portfolio includes data centres, prior data centre experience is not required. We welcome applicants from comparable infrastructure or technically complex building environments, such as healthcare, pharma, airports, rail, utilities, or large-scale commercial developments.
This is a client-side, hands-on role, managing building and MEP costs from early budgeting and master planning through procurement, change control, and final accounts.
On-site presence of 4 days per week, reflecting the hands-on, client-side and collaborative nature of the role.
You'll take ownership of building and MEP cost management from early budgeting and master planning through procurement, change control, and final accounts — ensuring value for money while maintaining high standards of quality, safety, and delivery.
Strategic & Planning
- Prepare and maintain master plans for BAU and major capex works (biannual cycle)
- Develop early-stage cost advice to support commercial decision-making
Cost & Project Management
- Produce detailed project budgets and cost plans with cash-flow forecasting
- Actively review scope, design, and tender information to identify gaps, risks, and opportunities
- Lead value engineering and advise on value-for-money improvements
- Monitor costs against approved budgets and escalate risks or funding requirements
- Manage change control, including estimates, approvals, tracking, and reporting
Procurement & Contracts
- Support procurement and tendering activities, including pricing schedules and evaluations
- Participate in contractor and supplier selection
- Assess valuations, materials off-site, and payment recommendations
- Evaluate claims, loss & expense, payless notices, and extensions of time
- Negotiate section, practical completion, and final accounts
Risk, Safety & Compliance
- Provide cost input to project risk management and early warning processes
- Maintain awareness of Health & Safety risks and report issues in line with company policy
- Support insurance claims and capital allowances activities
Reporting & Administration
- Attend project and team meetings and provide clear commercial reporting
- Raise and manage purchase requests and purchase orders (Coupa)
- Maintain accurate project records using the document management system (ASite)
Who We're Looking For
Essential
- 4+ years' experience in cost management / quantity surveying
- Strong exposure to building and MEP works
- Experience working in complex or regulated environments
- Excellent commercial awareness and stakeholder communication
- Proactive, organised, and comfortable managing multiple projects
Desirable
- Degree in QS / Commercial Management (or equivalent)
- Professional membership (e.g. RICS)
- Experience in sectors such as healthcare, pharma, transport, utilities, or critical facilities
- Experience with Coupa and/or ASite
Why Join?
- Client-side role with real influence over cost and strategy
- Exposure to technically challenging, high-value projects
- Supportive commercial team with strong governance and standards
Senior Quantity Surveyor in London employer: Hawke Search
Join a dynamic and entrepreneurial global organisation as a Workday Financials Analyst, where you will have the chance to take ownership of financial systems and drive meaningful process improvements. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and career development, this role offers high exposure to senior stakeholders and the opportunity to influence transformative changes within the company. Enjoy a supportive work culture that values innovation and empowers employees to grow their skills in a fast-paced international environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Quantity Surveyor in London
✨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 Hawke Search, 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 at Hawke Search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Quantity Surveyor in London
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 Hawke Search
✨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!
