Consultant - Commercial & Quantum in Darlington

Working as part of a specialist commercial and contract management consultancy, you will be assigned to provide services to a range of clients, such as:

• Tier one and regional main contractors
• Specialist subcontractors
• Client and employer organisations

The consultancy’s core services relate to claims, commercial recovery and dispute resolution. You will regularly work on live projects and retrospective commissions involving quantum analysis, preparation and defence of claims and support in formal dispute proceedings. From time to time, you may also be asked to undertake more traditional quantity surveying and commercial management tasks to support clients on live projects, which may involve travel. There is also flexibility to work from home a couple of days a week.

As a Consultant – Commercial & Quantum, you will work both independently and as part of a small team delivering consultancy services to clients. This is an intermediate-level role, so you will receive regular guidance from senior staff while being given room to develop and take ownership of your own workstreams. Typical duties will include:

• Reviewing and analysing tender, contract and project documentation
• Day-to-day commercial management support on live projects through to final account
• Assisting with the preparation and defence of contractual and quantum claims
• Helping to prepare supporting narratives, particulars and submissions for compensation events and other claims
• Supporting the preparation of dispute referral, response and reply documents for adjudication and other formal processes
• Interrogating and assessing construction costs, valuations and change records
• Drafting clear written reports and commercial narratives under the guidance of senior consultants
• Assisting in the operation and administration of standard forms of contract, particularly NEC (and potentially JCT or bespoke forms)
• Liaising with client commercial teams and site-based staff as required

The role will expose you regularly to projects that are in dispute or may be heading towards dispute, while still involving some traditional quantity surveying activities where appropriate.

The successful Consultant – Commercial & Quantum is likely to demonstrate:

• A minimum of 3 years of experience as a Quantity Surveyor / Commercial professional working for a reputable main contractor, subcontractor or similar consultancy
• Regular, hands-on exposure to claims and entitlements within your QS / commercial roles
• Good working knowledge of NEC forms of contract, including key clauses and entitlement mechanisms (experience with JCT and/or bespoke forms also beneficial)
• Experience working within organisations with robust commercial procedures and reporting
• Familiarity with the principles of contract law as they relate to construction and the ability to prepare, assess and interrogate construction costs
• Strong experience drafting and responding to compensation event notifications or similar change processes
• Comfortable writing clear, well-structured narratives and commercial justifications
• Some exposure to formal disputes, such as adjudications, would be advantageous; however, strong claims experience and a genuine interest in disputes will also be considered
• Excellent planning, organisational and time-management skills
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to deal with client teams at site and office level

A degree (or equivalent) in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or a related discipline is essential. Ideally a Chartered Quantity Surveyor (MRICS or equivalent), or currently working towards chartered status with a recognised professional body such as the RICS. Additional training or qualifications related to construction law, contract law or dispute resolution would be an advantage but are not essential.

The employer is a British commercial and contract management consultancy with a prestigious client base that includes tier one main contractors, regional contractors, specialist subcontractors and client organisations. They operate nationally and also have involvement on selected international projects. Much of your work can be undertaken from the company’s Darlington office in the North East, with hybrid working where appropriate. However, it is common for consultants to be embedded within client teams for certain commissions, which may involve working on sites or in client offices, including in London and the South. As such, you should be prepared to travel when required. This role is particularly well suited to candidates from a Quantity Surveying background who have gained good exposure to claims and entitlements within a contractor setting and now wish to accelerate their experience in claims, commercial recovery and disputes work within a specialist consultancy environment. The business promotes an inclusive, professional working culture and actively supports ongoing training, professional development and clear career progression.

Salary: £40,000 – £55,000 (depending on experience)

Discretionary bonus

Private medical insurance

Pension scheme

25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays

Professional fees paid (where applicable)

Opportunities for further training and development

Hybrid working