At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead pre-contract activities for major water infrastructure projects and manage procurement processes.
- Company: Join a leading team in a significant UK water infrastructure programme.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and long-term contract potential.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and influence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on vital infrastructure projects while developing your commercial expertise.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Quantity Surveyor with strong pre-contract and procurement skills.
Contract Length: 12-month rolling contract.
Location: Hybrid working - 2 days per week in Kings Cross, London or Peterborough.
Rate: £500-£550 per day
About the Opportunity
We are supporting a major UK water infrastructure programme seeking an experienced Pre-Contract Quantity Surveyor to join a high-profile capital investment team. This role will focus on the commercial, financial and contractual activities required before construction commences, helping to establish robust procurement, cost management and commercial strategies across a portfolio of strategically important infrastructure projects. Working closely with programme leaders, engineering teams, consultants and supply chain partners, you will play a key role in developing procurement packages, managing tender processes, supporting contractor engagement and ensuring commercial best practice is embedded throughout the pre-construction phase. This is an opportunity to join a long-term infrastructure programme where your commercial expertise will directly influence project outcomes, procurement strategies and investment decisions.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead pre-contract commercial activities across major infrastructure projects.
- Develop cost plans, budget estimates and feasibility assessments to support investment decisions.
- Prepare Bills of Quantities (BoQ), pricing schedules, tender documents and procurement packages.
- Draft, review and negotiate NEC4 contracts and associated commercial agreements.
- Review scopes of work and challenge ambiguities to ensure commercial and contractual clarity.
- Support procurement exercises, contractor selection and tender evaluation activities.
- Analyse contractor submissions and provide commercial recommendations to programme stakeholders.
- Identify, assess and manage commercial risks and opportunities throughout the pre-construction phase.
- Drive value engineering initiatives to optimise project costs while maintaining quality and programme objectives.
- Support Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) activities and collaborative delivery models.
- Provide cost benchmarking, estimating support and market intelligence across the programme.
- Work closely with engineering, procurement and delivery teams to ensure consistency of commercial processes and standards.
Key Skills & Experience
- Proven experience as a Quantity Surveyor with a strong focus on pre-contract and procurement activities.
- Experience working within major infrastructure, utilities, water, energy or civil engineering environments.
- Strong financial and commercial acumen, including cost planning, estimating, forecasting and risk analysis.
- Detailed knowledge of NEC4 contracts, including contract drafting, negotiation and administration.
- Experience producing tender documentation, procurement packages and Bills of Quantities.
- Strong understanding of contractor procurement, bid evaluation and commercial assessment methodologies.
- Experience delivering value engineering and cost optimisation initiatives.
- Ability to identify and mitigate contractual, commercial and programme risks.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and negotiation skills.
- Comfortable working autonomously whilst supporting a wide range of multidisciplinary stakeholders.
- MRICS qualification or working towards chartered status would be advantageous.
What's on Offer
- Opportunity to contribute to a nationally significant water infrastructure investment programme.
- Long-term contract potential with a substantial pipeline of future work.
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
- Exposure to complex, high-value infrastructure projects.
- Collaborative environment with significant stakeholder engagement and programme influence.
If you are an experienced Pre-Contract Quantity Surveyor looking to support the development of major infrastructure projects and would like to discuss the opportunity in more detail, please apply or get in touch for a confidential conversation.
Pre-Contract Quantity Surveyor employer: Murray McIntosh Associates Ltd
Murray McIntosh Associates Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Stevenage that fosters innovation and precision in RF and microwave technology. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, the company provides numerous opportunities for career advancement and skill development, making it an ideal place for those passionate about microelectronics and high-frequency electronics to thrive.
Contact Details:
Murray McIntosh Associates Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pre-Contract Quantity Surveyor
✨Get Your Foot in the Door
Temporary roles in construction often rely on quick recruitment, so make sure to visit local recruitment agencies that specialise in the construction sector. They usually have a go-to list of companies that need staff urgently, helping us connect with potential employers faster.
✨Leverage Community Connections
Construction is all about connections! Check out local trade events, networking gatherings, or even social media groups focused on your area. Engaging with the community can lead to insider knowledge about temporary job openings that might not be advertised anywhere else.
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Solid Portfolio
Even for temporary gigs, a visual portfolio can really set you apart. Take photos of previous projects you’ve worked on, or if you're fresh in the industry, show examples of your work during training. This can help us demonstrate our hands-on experience to potential employers, like Murray McIntosh Associates Ltd.
✨Apply Directly at Construction Sites
Don’t overlook the power of walking directly into construction sites. Many temporary positions are filled on the spot, so it’s worth popping by local sites and having a face-to-face chat. Bring your CV and be ready to impress, as companies like Murray McIntosh Associates Ltd appreciate proactive candidates ready to jump in when needed.
We think you need these skills to ace Pre-Contract Quantity Surveyor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Experience:In the construction game, having hands-on experience matters! Be sure to showcase any previous temporary roles or projects you've worked on in your CV. Mention specific skills like safety protocols, tools you're familiar with, or types of construction work you've done – this will help you stand out!
Showcase Certifications and Training:If you've got any relevant certifications or training like a CSCS card or health and safety courses, flaunt them! Include them in your CV and mention them in your cover letter. It shows that you're not just ready to get to work but that you've got the essential safety knowledge, which is super important in the construction industry.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:For a temporary role, flexibility is key! In your cover letter, make sure to clearly state your availability – are you ready to start immediately? Can you work various shifts? Letting Murray McIntosh Associates Ltd know how adaptable you are might just get you the edge over other candidates.
Keep it Concise and Clear:When applying for temporary roles in construction, employers often appreciate brevity. Keep your CV and cover letter clear and to the point. Focus on the skills and experiences that align most with what Murray McIntosh Associates Ltd is looking for. Avoid unnecessary fluff to make it easier for them to see why you’re the perfect fit!
How to prepare for a job interview at Murray McIntosh Associates Ltd
✨Show Off Your Safety Knowledge
In construction, health and safety is non-negotiable. Get comfortable with specific safety regulations like COSHH or Working at Height – you might get asked how you’d handle risk assessments or unsafe conditions. We need to show that we prioritise safety above all else.
✨Be Ready for Hands-On Scenarios
Expect practical questions or even a mini test where you’ll need to demonstrate basic skills. They might set up a scenario and ask how you would approach a specific task. Let’s prepare by brushing up on our trade skills and thinking through past projects we’ve worked on.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary role, they’ll want to know if you can adapt quickly to different teams and situations. Let's think about past experiences where we've had to adjust on the fly. This will show we’re ready to hit the ground running!
✨Highlight Your Previous Experience
Temporary roles often require hitting the ground running, so make sure to have a few stories lined up that showcase your relevant experience in construction. We want to emphasise skills that might not be on our CV—like teamwork and problem-solving when things don't go to plan.
