At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead contract development and negotiations for major infrastructure projects.
- Company: Join a transformative UK infrastructure organisation with a fresh, dynamic team.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, remote work flexibility, and potential for contract extension.
- Why this job: Shape commercial strategies and influence impactful infrastructure projects from the ground up.
- Qualifications: Extensive QS experience with NEC contracts and strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a fast-evolving environment.
Contract Length: 6‑month contract (Possible extension)
Locations: Remote based role - 1-2 days per month on site in Sheffield + flexibility to travel to contractor offices
Rate: £550 per day via umbrella - Inside IR35
About the Opportunity
We are supporting a major UK infrastructure organisation undergoing significant transformation and modernisation. A newly formed Commercial & Construction Strategy team is now looking to bring in an experienced Pre‑Contract Quantity Surveyor to help shape, standardise and strengthen pre‑contract activity across a large capital portfolio. This is a unique opportunity to join a brand‑new, high‑impact team at a pivotal moment. You will be helping to build processes from the ground up, bringing consistency to contract practices, guiding strategic decisions, and improving the way the organisation engages with contractors during the earliest stages of delivery. If you enjoy variety, autonomy, and the chance to influence commercial strategy on major infrastructure programmes, this is an excellent role.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development, drafting, and negotiation of NEC-based contract terms (primarily Option C).
- Create standardised contract data, schedules and call‑off agreements across the portfolio.
- Review scopes of work, identify risks, challenge ambiguities, and ensure commercial robustness.
- Work through a backlog of agreements, taking full ownership of negotiations.
- Support estimating and cost benchmarking activities, providing insight where specialist resource is limited.
- Bring best practice to Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and improve consistency of approach.
- Contribute to commercial strategy development and continuous improvement within a new and evolving team.
- Engage with procurement, engineering, development and delivery stakeholders as a trusted commercial advisor.
Key Skills & Experience
- Strong and extensive experience as a QS, ideally with a clear pre‑contract focus.
- Deep knowledge of NEC3/4 contracts, particularly Option C - drafting, option selection, negotiation, and administration.
- Ability to independently draft and negotiate bespoke commercial terms.
- Proven skill in reviewing scopes and identifying commercial, contractual and risk-related issues.
- Experience creating consistent contract packs and driving commercial standardisation.
- Confident negotiator with strong commercial judgement.
- Flexible, pragmatic, proactive - able to step into gaps and help shape new processes.
- Comfortable working autonomously in a fast-evolving environment.
- Experience in electricity transmission, energy, utilities or major infrastructure.
- Familiarity with public contract regulations.
- Background or exposure to estimating, cost benchmarking or risk analysis.
- Experience of delivering or improving ECI.
Please note: Due to the high volume of applications, only successful candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within 48 hours, unfortunately, your application has not been successful on this occasion. However, we may retain your details for any future suitable vacancies and contact you accordingly.
Pontoon is an employment consultancy. We put expertise, energy, and enthusiasm into improving everyone's chance of being part of the workplace. We respect and appreciate people of all ethnicities, generations, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, and more. We do this by showcasing their talents, skills, and unique experience in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.
We use generative AI tools to support our candidate screening process. This helps us ensure a fair, consistent, and efficient experience for all applicants. Rest assured, all final decisions are made by our hiring team, and your application will be reviewed with care and attention.
Quantity Surveyor - Pre Contract in Alcester employer: Pontoon
Contact Detail:
Pontoon Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Quantity Surveyor - Pre Contract in Alcester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the lookout for a Quantity Surveyor role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on NEC contracts and your negotiation skills. Be ready to discuss how you’ve tackled challenges in previous roles, especially around pre-contract activities. We want to see that you can bring your expertise to our new team!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your flexibility and proactive attitude during interviews. Highlight examples where you’ve stepped into gaps or improved processes. This is key for us as we’re looking for someone who can thrive in a fast-evolving environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Quantity Surveyor - Pre Contract in Alcester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Quantity Surveyor role. Highlight your experience with NEC contracts and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our Pre-Contract Quantity Surveyor position. Share specific examples of your past work that align with the responsibilities listed in the job description.
Showcase Your Negotiation Skills: Since negotiation is key in this role, make sure to mention any relevant experiences where you've successfully negotiated contract terms or resolved disputes. We love seeing confident negotiators who can bring value to our team!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pontoon
✨Know Your NEC Contracts
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of NEC3/4 contracts, especially Option C. Be ready to discuss your experience with drafting, negotiating, and administering these contracts. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the terms but can also apply them effectively.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to identify risks and ambiguities in scopes of work. Discuss how you've previously ensured commercial robustness in your projects. This will demonstrate your strong commercial judgement and problem-solving skills.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Proactivity
This role requires someone who can adapt quickly and step into gaps. Think of instances where you’ve taken initiative to shape processes or improve practices. Sharing these experiences will illustrate your proactive nature and ability to thrive in a fast-evolving environment.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be prepared to talk about your experience working with various stakeholders, such as procurement and engineering teams. Highlight how you’ve acted as a trusted commercial advisor in past roles. This will show that you can effectively engage and collaborate across departments.