At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage exciting construction projects from tender to final account, ensuring profitability and client satisfaction.
- Company: Established construction firm focused on leisure sector with a reputation for excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company vehicle, 28 days holiday, and support for professional development.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a collaborative culture where your ideas truly matter.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community projects while shaping the future of our company.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Quantity Surveyor, strong communication skills, and a proactive mindset.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
About Us
We are a well-established construction company with an annual turnover of £5 million, specialising in the leisure sector.
Our core expertise lies in delivering high-quality design and build projects for leisure centres, gyms and sports grounds, with contract values ranging from £10k to £2 million.
With a strong portfolio of repeat clients and a reputation for excellence, we pride ourselves on building lasting relationships and exceeding expectations.
We work on projects that genuinely improve local leisure and community facilities — the kind of work you can point to and say, \"I helped deliver that.\"
At the heart of our business is a simple belief: the best ideas come from our people.
We foster an open, collaborative environment where every team member is encouraged to share their thoughts, challenge the norm and contribute to how we work and grow.
Staff input isn't just welcomed — it's essential to our continued success and shapes the direction of the company.
The Work
No two weeks look the same here. Our projects span
- Leisure centre refurbishments — full and phased schemes, often in live, occupied buildings
- Swimming pools — tanks, surrounds, plant and wet-side finishes
- Gyms — new fit-outs and upgrades to existing facilities
- Soft play — bespoke installations and family-zone conversions
- Sports halls — design, refurbishment, floors, linings, lighting, acoustics and multi-use conversions
- Padel courts — design and installation
- Changing villages — cubicles, wet areas, lockers and accessible provision
- Cafés — front-of-house refits and commercial kitchen works
- Office & admin — office fit-out areas
- Library works — refurbishments
- Building maintenance — proactive and reactive
That variety is deliberate.
It keeps the work interesting and it means the commercial challenges genuinely differ from job to job — a £15k reactive maintenance package and a £2 million phased leisure centre refurbishment ask very different questions of a QS.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced Quantity Surveyor to take commercial ownership of our projects from tender through to final account, protecting margin while keeping clients, subcontractors and the delivery team working to the same set of numbers.
You will be the commercial lead on your schemes, working closely with our Contracts Managers and directors, with genuine autonomy over measurement, procurement and valuation within agreed limits.
You will typically be handling a mixed commercial workload of around 1–3 larger projects alongside several smaller refurbishment and maintenance schemes at any one time, at different stages and in different locations.
Volumes flex with the programme, but that gives a realistic picture of the balance between depth and breadth in the role.
You will be expected to keep a firm grip on cost, spot commercial risk early and bring practical solutions rather than simply reporting problems.
Key Responsibilities
- Preparing, analysing and submitting tenders and cost estimates, including take-offs and measurement from drawings and specifications
- Producing and maintaining accurate cost plans, budgets and cash-flow forecasts
- Procuring and negotiating subcontract and supplier packages, and preparing subcontract documentation
- Managing interim valuations, applications for payment, subcontractor payments and payment notices
- Producing monthly cost/value reconciliations and reporting commercial performance to the directors
- Valuing, agreeing and managing variations, change control and claims
- Identifying and mitigating commercial risk to protect company interests
- Agreeing and settling final accounts with clients and subcontractors
- Attending site and client meetings, and maintaining strong working relationships throughout
- Administering JCT contracts, including notices, extensions of time and loss and expense
- Managing competing commercial priorities across multiple projects and locations
- Supporting and mentoring junior members of the team as the business grows
- Location & Working Arrangement
- Office based in South East Essex, with projects covering London to the South West
- A split role between office and site — balancing desk-based commercial work with regular site attendance for valuations, progress meetings and subcontractor discussions
- Some overnight stays may be required for projects outside the South East, with reasonable travel and accommodation costs covered by the company
- Flexibility with working hours.
We understand that site work doesn't always fit a 9-to-5.
Valuation deadlines, early starts and out-of-hours access in live leisure facilities come with the territory — and in return we are genuinely flexible about how you manage your time.
Provided your projects and clients are properly looked after, you have the freedom to organise your diary, work from home when you're not needed on site or in the office, and take time back when a job has demanded more of you than usual.
We trust our people to manage their own workload.
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience as a Quantity Surveyor within the construction industry
- Confident measurement and take-off skills, and the ability to build a cost plan from first principles
- Understanding of JCT contracts and their commercial administration
- Strong subcontract procurement and negotiation skills
- Excellent communication skills and the confidence to hold a position with clients and subcontractors
- Commercial awareness and strong attention to detail
- A positive, can-do attitude with the ability to work under pressure
- A proactive mindset — someone who brings fresh ideas and genuinely wants to shape how we do things
- Someone who takes ownership, follows issues through and is accountable for the commercial outcome
- A practical problem-solver who brings solutions rather than simply reporting problems
- The ability to manage several priorities without losing control of the detail
- Strong IT skills, including confident use of Excel, Microsoft Office, Teams and digital project-management systems
- A full UK driving licence is essential
Desirable
- Experience of refurbishment projects within live or occupied environments
- Experience in the leisure sector
- Experience of design and build procurement
- Degree or HNC/HND in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or a related discipline; MRICS or working towards chartership
- Previous experience using Simpro, although training can be provided
Package
- Salary: £50,000–£60,000 per annum, dependent on experience
- Company vehicle — company car, car allowance or commercial vehicle, to suit the successful candidate and the requirements of the role
- 28 days' holiday, increasing with length of service
- Company pension
- Company laptop
- Business travel and overnight expenses covered
- Support for relevant training and professional development, including chartership
- Flexibility around working hours, as described above
Why Join Us?
You'll be joining a supportive team where your voice matters.
We offer a collaborative culture, varied and rewarding projects within a thriving sector, and real opportunities to influence the company's future.
As our Quantity Surveyor you will work closely with the directors and have a genuine opportunity to shape our commercial systems, reporting and procurement approach.
This is not a role where you will disappear into a large corporate structure — your work will be visible, your ideas will be heard, and there will be scope for your responsibilities to develop as the business grows.
If you want to be more than just a number and make a genuine impact, we'd love to hear from you.
Quantity Surveyor in Chelmsford employer: RJI Group ltd
Join a well-established construction company that values your input and fosters a collaborative work culture. As a Quantity Surveyor, you'll engage in diverse projects that enhance local leisure facilities while enjoying benefits like a competitive salary, professional development support, and a flexible working environment. Here, your contributions are not just acknowledged; they are essential to our success and growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quantity Surveyor in Chelmsford
✨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 RJI Group 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 Quantity Surveyor at RJI Group ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Quantity Surveyor in Chelmsford
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 RJI Group 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!
