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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead pre-contract activities and shape commercial strategies for major infrastructure projects.
- Company: Join a transformative UK infrastructure organisation with a focus on modernisation.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, remote work flexibility, and potential for contract extension.
- Why this job: Be part of a new team making a real impact in the infrastructure sector.
- Qualifications: Extensive QS experience with NEC contracts and strong negotiation skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and influence.
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 London employer: Pontoon
Contact Detail:
Pontoon Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Quantity Surveyor - Pre Contract in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and recent developments in the infrastructure sector. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Quantity Surveyor, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate contract terms effectively. Role-play with a friend or mentor to build confidence and refine your approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find and apply for roles that match your skills. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and helps us keep track of your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Quantity Surveyor - Pre Contract in London
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 align with 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 demonstrate your expertise and enthusiasm.
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 candidates who can confidently handle these situations!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly 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 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 and negotiating these contracts, as well as any challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to identify risks and ambiguities in scopes of work. Think about specific instances where your commercial judgement made a significant impact on a project, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Proactivity
This role requires someone who can adapt quickly and step into gaps. Think of times when you've had to take initiative or shape new processes in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss how you approach problem-solving and process improvement.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since you'll be working closely with various teams, prepare to talk about your experience engaging with procurement, engineering, and delivery stakeholders. Highlight how you've acted as a trusted advisor and contributed to commercial strategy development in previous roles.
