At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage commercial performance of rail projects, ensuring cost control and effective contract administration.
- Company: Join Octavius Infrastructure, part of a £9bn rail transformation programme.
- Benefits: Enjoy a company car scheme, private healthcare, and 25 days annual leave plus your birthday off.
- Other info: Opportunities for ongoing professional development and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Be part of a collaborative team delivering impactful rail projects in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Senior Quantity Surveyor with strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Octavius Infrastructure is proud to be part of the Southern Renewals Enterprise (SRE), a £9bn, 10-year programme (2024–2034) transforming how rail renewals are delivered across Network Rail's Southern region. As one of a small number of Project 13 enterprise agreements, SRE represents a step change in how the industry collaborates — offering a rare opportunity to be part of a truly integrated, long-term programme focused on performance, efficiency and better outcomes.
We are expanding our commercial team and are looking for Senior Quantity Surveyors to support our Electrification & Plant (E&P) delivery, working across both our feeders and distribution portfolios. These roles sit within separate delivery areas, supporting either a higher-value feeders programme (~£50m per year) or a high-volume distribution portfolio (~£35m per year) delivered at pace across multiple sites.
In This Role, You Will:
- Manage the commercial performance of multiple projects or packages, maintaining visibility of cost, value and risk.
- Support cost control, forecasting and reporting, including CVR, applications and final accounts.
- Ensure contracts are administered effectively, with a strong focus on NEC compliance and governance.
- Work closely with delivery teams to identify risks and opportunities and drive commercial outcomes.
- Engage with supply chain partners, supporting procurement and ensuring effective cost management.
- Contribute to monthly reporting and commercial reviews, providing clear and accurate insights.
- Build strong working relationships across the project teams, clients and wider enterprise partners.
Depending on the Package, You’ll Either:
- Support delivery of complex, higher-value feeder projects, or
- Operate within a fast-paced, high-volume distribution environment, managing multiple live work fronts.
You’ll Receive:
- Company Car scheme.
- Private Healthcare.
- Pension and Life Assurance.
- 25 days Annual Leave + your birthday off.
- Hybrid working (typically London / site c.3 days per week).
- Enhanced family leave policies.
- Ongoing professional development and progression opportunities.
About You:
You're someone who thrives in fast-paced, delivery-focused environments, managing multiple priorities while maintaining strong commercial control.
Qualifications:
- Experience operating at Senior Quantity Surveyor level across multiple projects or packages.
- Strong people and stakeholder skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships.
- The ability to manage competing priorities and maintain commercial oversight.
- Solid knowledge of contract administration, cost control and commercial reporting, with NEC experience.
- A proactive approach to managing risk, performance and outcomes.
If you're looking for a role where you can develop your experience within a major rail programme and be part of a collaborative, long‑term delivery model, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today to be part of the SRE programme with Octavius.
Inclusion and diversity are important to us, we are an equal opportunities employer and value difference. We want and will continue to build an inclusive environment where our people thrive. We firmly believe constantly striving to build a truly diverse workforce is what makes us a strong business and will enable us to continue to solve important problems and deliver unrivalled value to both our customers and clients. If you need any specialist support throughout your application, we will work with you where we can to support your journey with us.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Quantity Surveyor – Rail 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 Octavius Infrastructure, 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 Senior Quantity Surveyor – Rail at Octavius Infrastructure.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Quantity Surveyor – Rail 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 Octavius Infrastructure
✨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!
