At a Glance
- Tasks: Take full commercial ownership of your own projects and manage them from start to finish.
- Company: Join a well-established contractor with a diverse portfolio and strong reputation.
- Benefits: Professional development, mentoring, and genuine career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for growth into senior leadership roles.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by managing exciting projects across various sectors.
- Qualifications: Experience in construction project management and strong negotiation skills required.
An excellent opportunity for an experienced Quantity Surveyor to join a well-established main contractor and take full commercial ownership of your own projects.
The business has a diverse portfolio covering residential, commercial, education, healthcare, hotels, student accommodation, industrial and mixed-use developments.
Following continued growth in the UK, they are looking to strengthen their London commercial team with a Quantity Surveyor who is capable of running their own projects from a commercial perspective.
The Role This is not a position where you will simply be supporting a Senior QS.
The successful candidate will be expected to take ownership of their own projects, managing the commercial function from procurement through to final account while working closely with the Project Manager, Contracts Manager and wider delivery team.
Your responsibilities will include
- Taking full commercial responsibility for your allocated projects
- Managing projects from procurement through to final account
- Preparing and managing subcontract and supplier procurement
- Tendering, negotiating and awarding subcontract packages
- Managing subcontractor accounts and payments
- Preparing valuations and payment applications
- Managing variations, compensation events and change control
- Cost reporting and forecasting
- Monthly CVRs and commercial reporting
- Monitoring project expenditure and cash flow
- Identifying commercial risks and opportunities
- Negotiating subcontractor accounts and final accounts
- Supporting the Project Manager with commercial and contractual matters
- Working closely with the design and construction teams
- Attending commercial and project meetings
- Maintaining accurate commercial records and reporting to senior management
- Driving the commercial performance of projects through to successful completion
Ideally, you will have
- Proven experience within a main contractor environment
- Experience independently managing the commercial aspects of construction projects
- Strong subcontract procurement and negotiation experience
- Good knowledge of construction contracts and commercial procedures
- Experience with valuations, variations, cost reporting and final accounts
- Strong commercial awareness
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills
- The confidence to deal directly with subcontractors, clients and project teams
- Strong organisational and analytical skills
- A relevant Quantity Surveying / Construction qualification
Experience across residential, commercial, education, healthcare, hotel, student accommodation or mixed-use projects would be advantageous.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
- This is an opportunity to join a contractor with a long-established reputation and an expanding UK operation, while taking genuine responsibility for your own projects.
- The company also places a strong emphasis on professional development, mentoring and career progression, with its current team including QS professionals who have progressed into senior commercial and leadership positions.
- For the right candidate, this represents an opportunity to move into a role where you have genuine commercial ownership, rather than remaining in a purely supporting position
Project Quantity Surveyor in London employer: OCS Recruitment Ltd
OCS is an exceptional employer, offering Site Engineers the chance to work on a prestigious £12m residential development in Hertfordshire. With a strong focus on employee growth and a collaborative work culture, OCS provides ample opportunities for professional development while ensuring a supportive environment where your contributions are valued. Join a well-established contractor that prioritises safety, quality, and innovation in every project.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project 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 OCS Recruitment 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 Project Quantity Surveyor at OCS Recruitment Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Project 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 OCS Recruitment 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!
