At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial management of major heating and water contracts, ensuring compliance and value for money.
- Company: Southwark Council, dedicated to delivering safe and resilient services to residents.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a high-impact, technical environment.
- Why this job: Join a vital role that ensures safety and reliability for thousands of residents.
- Qualifications: Experience in mechanical services and strong commercial skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are recruiting a highly skilled Senior Quantity Surveyor specialising in Mechanical Services to lead commercial management across Southwark Council's major Individual and District Heating contracts, Water Hygiene and Building Energy Management Systems, managing over 8,000 jobs per month. This is a specialist, high-value, high-complexity role, central to the delivery of safe, compliant and resilient heating and water services for thousands of residents.
This position covers some of the Council's largest contracts, looking for someone who can confidently navigate major mechanical services contracts and bring rigorous commercial assurance to mission-critical infrastructure.
You will:
- Lead commercial control across all heating and water contracts, ensuring accuracy, value for money and compliance
- Review contract documentation and support the tendering of district heating schemes
- Prepare budget forecasts and monthly financial reporting
- Undertake monthly valuations, including verification of Prime Cost sums
- Review day works, manual orders and schedule of rates compliance
- Monitor Planned Preventative Maintenance costs
- Conduct post-inspection reviews and adjust contractor valuations where required
- Reconcile historic accounts and maintain audit-ready documentation
- Issue certificates, pay less notices and valuation reports on a strict monthly timetable
- Negotiate firmly and confidently with contractors, ensuring valuations, variations and wider commercial positions are rigorously tested and stand up to scrutiny
- Provide forensic QS support where required
- Contribute to staff development as part of the council's social value commitments
This is an opportunity to lead commercial assurance on some of the Council's most specialist, high-impact contracts - critical to resident safety and service reliability.
We are looking for a seasoned quantity surveyor who can operate confidently in highly technical M&E environments.
You will bring:
- Strong understanding of mechanical services, district heating or other complex M&E systems
- Demonstrable experience managing high-value, multi-contract portfolios
- Exceptional attention to detail and strong commercial rigour
- Ability to manage structured monthly valuation cycles with a high level of accuracy
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to work closely with engineers, technical teams and contractors
- Confidence in challenging valuations, interrogating variations and maintaining robust commercial positions
- Strong financial and reporting capability, with the ability to manage records, forecasts and supporting documentation effectively
Building Surveyor (Commercial) employer: JOB SWITCH LTD
As a leading employer in the public sector, Southwark Council offers a dynamic work environment where you can make a tangible impact on the community through your role as a Building Surveyor. With a strong commitment to employee development and social value, you'll benefit from opportunities for professional growth while working on high-value contracts that ensure the safety and reliability of essential services for thousands of residents. Join a collaborative team that values innovation and excellence in delivering critical infrastructure projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Building Surveyor (Commercial)
✨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 JOB SWITCH 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 Building Surveyor (Commercial) at JOB SWITCH LTD.
We think you need these skills to ace Building Surveyor (Commercial)
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 JOB SWITCH 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!
