Quantity Surveyor

Quantity Surveyor

Full-Time 51750 - 63250 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage commercial aspects of construction projects, ensuring timely and budget-friendly delivery.
  • Company: Join VIVO Defence Services, a leader in facilities management for the UK military.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, private medical cover, and a matched pension scheme.
  • Other info: Flexible working options available in a diverse and inclusive environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on the UK's Defence estate while developing your commercial career.
  • Qualifications: Experience in quantity surveying or related fields, with strong communication and analytical skills.

The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.

VIVO provides facilities management and accommodation maintenance for the UK military and its partners. VIVO embodies both experience and innovation.

What we do: We put our Customers and Families First. They are the driving force behind everything we do. We drive forward improvements for them to ensure the service they receive, whether reactive repairs or a major project, is completed safely and on time. In order to achieve this, we have 4 core values: open, caring, agile and collaborative. These are at the heart of everything we do.

Location: Home based, to cover sites in Leicestershire to Newcastle. Permanent, Full time.

At VIVO, we deliver facilities management and infrastructure services across the Defence estate, ensuring the places where our Armed Forces live, work and train remain safe, compliant and ready to support operational capability.

We're looking for an experienced Quantity Surveyor to join our Commercial team, providing expert commercial support across a varied portfolio of facilities management, maintenance and construction projects. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the commercial management of both Core Services and Billable Works, working alongside project managers, operational teams, Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) representatives and supply chain partners to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and in line with contractual requirements.

You’ll provide commercial advice throughout the project lifecycle, supporting cost planning, pricing, forecasting and financial reporting while ensuring robust commercial controls are maintained. Working across multiple projects simultaneously, you’ll help manage change control, review contract performance, support risk management activities and ensure all commercial processes are delivered in accordance with contract requirements.

As part of the Commercial team, you’ll develop strong relationships with operational colleagues, clients and suppliers, providing guidance on commercial matters, supporting work proposals and helping teams understand their contractual responsibilities. You’ll attend commercial and risk meetings, contribute to dispute avoidance and resolution, and work collaboratively to identify practical solutions that deliver value for money while protecting business performance.

You’ll monitor supplier performance, manage commercial queries, support milestone payments and final accounts, and assist with monthly cost reporting and financial forecasting. Working closely with the Principal Commercial Manager, you’ll help ensure both Core Services and Billable Works are commercially managed to maximise value while maintaining compliance with contractual obligations.

Continuous improvement is an important part of the role. You’ll contribute ideas that improve commercial processes, support sustainability initiatives across the Defence estate and help identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve efficiency and strengthen commercial governance. Your work will directly influence the successful delivery of projects that support one of the UK's largest and most important property portfolios.

About You: You’ll have commercial experience within construction, facilities management, property maintenance or a related industry, with a strong understanding of quantity surveying principles, commercial management and contract administration. You’ll be confident preparing cost models, supporting tenders, managing commercial risk and providing clear commercial advice throughout the project lifecycle.

You’ll be a strong communicator who enjoys building relationships with colleagues, clients and supply chain partners, with the ability to influence, negotiate and work collaboratively across multiple teams. Strong analytical skills, commercial awareness and attention to detail are essential, together with the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining high standards of accuracy.

You’ll hold an HND, Foundation Degree or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying, or have significant equivalent industry experience, together with experience working on facilities management or construction projects ranging from multiple concurrent minor works through to projects valued at £4.5 million. You’ll also have a good understanding of commercial processes, cost management and risk analysis, supported by Health & Safety awareness training. Experience working within Defence, MOD or other highly regulated environments would be advantageous, alongside knowledge of FDIS contract requirements, collaborative business relationship principles and sustainable construction practices. Evidence of continuing professional development and membership of a relevant professional body would also be beneficial.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to develop your commercial career while contributing to projects that make a real difference to the UK's Defence estate, we’d love to hear from you.

What We Offer:

  • 6% employee matched pension contribution
  • 25 days annual leave
  • Single private medical cover
  • Life assurance 2x annual leave
  • 1x professional subscription per year

At VIVO, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. Therefore, we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working and operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly a Disability Confident Leader. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.

Quantity Surveyor employer: Serco Canada Inc

VIVO Defence Services is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the well-being of its employees while delivering vital services to the UK military. With a strong commitment to professional development, employees benefit from continuous growth opportunities, competitive benefits such as a 6% pension contribution and private medical cover, and the flexibility of home-based work across a diverse range of projects. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the Defence estate while enjoying a collaborative environment that values innovation and teamwork.

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Contact Details:

Serco Canada Inc Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Quantity Surveyor

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

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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 Serco Canada Inc.

We think you need these skills to ace Quantity Surveyor

Quantity Surveying Principles
Commercial Management
Contract Administration
Cost Planning
Financial Reporting
Change Control Management
Risk Management

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 Serco Canada Inc

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!