Senior Subcontract Commercial Lead - Luxury Residential

Senior Quantity Surveyor responsible for the professional and compliance management of all subcontracts across one or more Luxury Residential construction projects. The core objective is to ensure that subcontractors are procured, managed, and paid efficiently, in line with the main contract obligations, company commercial policy and industry best practices, thereby mitigating risk and ensuring project profitability.

Senior Quantity Surveyor Responsibilities

• Assist in developing and executing the subcontracting strategy.
• Prepare, issue, and manage Invitation to Tender (ITT) packages for various trade contractors.
• Lead the detailed commercial analysis and benchmarking of bids. Recommend suitable subcontractors for award based on commercial, technical, and risk criteria.
• Lead commercial and contractual negotiations with shortlisted subcontractors to achieve optimal project terms and value for money.
• Ensure all subcontracts are robust, legally sound and incorporate necessary back-to-back clauses and main contract flow-downs (e.g. performance bonds, insurance, compliance).
• Provide expert advice on subcontract terms and conditions, focusing on common UK contract forms (e.g., JCT D&B, NEC3/4 Option A/C).
• Oversee the timely and accurate measurement, and processing of subcontractor applications for payment, variations and final accounts, in conjunction with the Quantity Surveying team.
• Meticulously manage all variations, change orders and instructions, ensuring they are commercially agreed upon and formally documented before work is executed.
• Proactively identify contractual risks and exposure. Lead the commercial assessment, documentation, negotiation and formal management of subcontract disputes, claims and counterclaims to achieve favourable and timely resolutions, in coordination with the project and legal teams.
• Track and monitor subcontractor performance against contractual scopes, schedules and quality standards.
• Maintain comprehensive and meticulous records of all contractual correspondence, meeting minutes, payment certificates and closeout documents.
• Ensure all subcontractors meet Health & Safety (CDM) and legal compliance requirements before and during their time on site.
• Manage the formal closeout process, including defects liability period, release of retention and final account agreement.

Senior Quantity Surveyor Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of dedicated Subcontract or Contracts Management experience in the UK construction industry (Main Contractor or Specialist Subcontractor background preferred).
• Experience managing subcontracts on projects over £50m.
• Degree or HNC/HND in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Commercial Management, or a related discipline.
• Membership of a professional body (e.g., RICS, CIPS, CICES).
• Expert working knowledge of major UK standard forms of contract (JCT and/or NEC).
• Specific knowledge of bespoke client agreements or FIDIC.
• Strong commercial and financial literacy. Proficient in contract administration software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience in specific sector (e.g., Civils, M&E, Residential).
• Exceptional negotiation, influencing and communication skills. Proven ability to build and maintain professional relationships with supply chain partners.
• Experience leading a small commercial team or mentoring junior staff.