Dispute Resolution QS — Civils & Infrastructure

A role exists for a Quantity Surveyor and Dispute Resolution Consultant to work within a specialist commercial and contract management consultancy based in central London. The role would suit a recently chartered Quantity Surveyor who has gained some frequent exposure to claims and disputes on projects whilst working for a reputable contractor, and would like to join a specialist consultancy, where they can gain more frequent exposure to projects that are in dispute. Due to the hiring company’s workload, it would be preferred if candidates had worked on projects predominantly within the civils and infrastructure sectors.

Whilst working for the commercial and contract management consultancy, you will be assigned to projects to provide consultancy services to main contractors, sub-contractors and client organisations. As a consultancy, the client typically provides consultancy services, which relate to claims and dispute resolution. However, on occasions candidates may be required to carry out more traditional quantity surveying tasks.

The hiring company provides services to clients working on projects across all sectors of the construction and engineering industry; however, there is a strong bias towards civils and infrastructure within their current portfolio of work.

Responsibilities and Duties

As a Quantity Surveyor and Dispute Resolution Consultant, you may be required to work both independently or as part of a small team of staff providing consultancy services to clients. Either way this is an intermediate role within the business, therefore you will receive regular and continued support from management within the business. Within this role, you will be regularly exposed to working on projects that are in dispute or preparing to be in dispute. However, candidates must also be prepared to carry out some traditional quantity surveying responsibilities where required.

Typical duties may include:

• Review and analysis of tender and contract documentation;
• Commercial management of a construction project through to the agreement of the final account;
• Support with the preparation and defence of claims;
• Support with preparation of dispute referral, response and reply documents;

The role will require well-rounded commercial management skills with the ability to interpret and operate both standard form and bespoke contract procedures and mechanisms.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Must have had strong exposure to claims within their roles as a Quantity Surveyor or working for a similar specialist claims and disputes consultancy.
• A good working knowledge of NEC forms of contract and its relevant clauses and entitlements.
• Worked for organisations with strong commercial procedures.
• Should be familiar with the principles of contract law and the ability to prepare, assess and interrogate construction costs.
• Strong exposure to writing notifications for compensation events.
• Excellent planning and organisation skills.
• Excellent writing skills and familiar with drafting narratives.
• Exposure to formal disputes such as adjudications would be beneficial, however is not essential if candidates have had a lot of exposure to dealing with claims.

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

A Degree in a relevant subject such as Quantity Surveying or similar equivalent is essential. Candidates will ideally be Chartered Quantity Surveyors with a recognised professional body such as the RICS. Candidates working towards their RICS (or similar) will be considered if they have the relevant experience required to do the role.

Employing Company Overview and Profile

The hiring company is a British commercial and contract management consultancy with a prestigious client base of tier one main contractors, regional contractors, specialist sub-contractors and client organisations. They operate nationally, as well as having some exposure to international projects. Much of your work can be done via the hiring company’s central London office. However, it is also common for employees to be embedded into their client’s team for a period of time, which will lead to being based on site or in clients' offices within London and the South. Therefore, candidates need to be prepared to travel when required.

This role may suit candidates from a Quantity Surveying background, who have had some exposure to claims and disputes within a role for a main contractor, and would like to join an organisation where they can gain greater exposure to claims and disputes related work.