At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative residential property development projects and manage cost effectively.
- Company: Join the Land Development Agency, a key player in affordable housing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, training opportunities, and a collaborative work culture.
- Other info: Enjoy diverse projects and continuous professional development in a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities while advancing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 8+ years experience in quantity surveying with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
About The Land Development Agency
The Land Development Agency (LDA) is the State’s affordable housing delivery body. Its main role is to acquire and develop State and other land to deliver affordable homes, supporting the creation of thriving communities and delivering ongoing positive social impact. It is overseen by an independent Board of Directors and has total capitalisation of up to €8.75bn. To date €6.25 billion of equity capital has been committed by Government and a further €2.5bn capitalisation is permitted under legislation from other sources/debt. The LDA is active on more than 20 State Land sites and has a delivery pipeline in excess of 25,000 homes. The Agency also works in partnership with the country’s largest and most experienced homebuilders and will deliver a further 8,000 homes under its Project Tosaigh initiative. Additionally, the LDA is working on large-scale longer-term strategic areas by master-planning and bringing forward planning applications in locations such as Limerick Colbert Quarter, the Digital Hub in Dublin and Sandy Road in Galway.
Role Purpose:
This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic senior level Quantity Surveyor (SQS/Associate Director) with strong commercial and technical acumen to join the Cost Management Team at a senior level to support the development of the LDA’s extensive development pipeline, one of the most significant development pipelines in the history of the state. The role will involve providing in-house cost management expertise and support across multiple business functions including Strategic Planning & Master Planning, Land Acquisition & Activation, Property Development, Construction Delivery, Developer Collaboration, Asset Management and Investment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Visit sites in consideration and preparation of high level feasibilities and development budgets for early-stage viability analysis.
- Viability and cost modelling analyses.
- Procurement of project design teams and construction delivery partners.
- Interface and liaise closely with external consultants, building effective and collaborative working relationships.
- Responsibility for ensuring financial viability.
- Leading and contributing to design team workshops offering cost, value management, procurement, contract and affordability advice.
- Liaise closely with all LDA external quantity surveying consultants.
- Review and assess external QS reports and cost documents.
- Assisting LDA Development Managers and Construction Managers as required in the management of projects on a day-to-day basis.
- Management of project development budget and post contract expenditure.
- Involvement in supply chain (Main Contractor/Developer/Consultant) negotiations where appropriate.
- Responsibility for maintaining and enhancing current cost databases of construction and development costs.
- Managing and ensuring development budgets and specific project gateway budget approval requests are robust.
- Play leading role in enhancement and optimisation of LDA cost management standardised documentation, processes and function.
- Responsible for financial claims analyses and appraisal of construction and development soft costs.
Person Specification:
- Minimum of 8 year’s demonstrable relevant experience with a Contractor, PQS or Developer with demonstrable experience in a senior level role.
- Candidates should be at least at an experienced SQS/AD level and comfortable engaging with senior management of internal and external bodies.
- Demonstrable experience of residential delivery in a senior QS/AD role.
- Demonstrable experience of managing a team of project level QS’s.
- A dynamic self-starter, ability to take ownership and responsibility for assigned projects and deliverables.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong interpersonal, presentation and verbal communication skills.
- Be a team player with ability to work independently and collaboratively across both internal and external teams.
- Microsoft Office Suite, with particular emphasis on strong MS Excel abilities.
- Degree or higher in Quantity Surveying.
- Chartered (MSCSI/MRICS).
What to Expect:
- Innovation: Work in a forward-looking and innovative environment using market leading platforms and systems to streamline QS and property development workflows. Enjoy a collaborative and innovative culture that values fresh thinking and initiative while having opportunity to affect policy change.
- Sector Expertise: Gain deep insight and hands-on experience of fundamental design and cost economics for residential development, developing industry leading expertise. Involvement in all stages of the development lifecycle — from concept to delivery to operational management of the schemes. Enhance experience of varying procurement models, contract and claims management across LDA portfolio involving D&B, Employer Designed, Early Contractor Involvement, Bespoke Development Partnership agreements, Consultancy Agreements etc. Gain key skills in detailed cost and investment modelling and viability analyses at each stage of a development’s lifecycle.
- Network: Work alongside senior leaders of industry from all disciplines including design consultants, main contractors, developers, senior public representatives, planning, legal and sales agents offering a unique holistic view of how major developments evolve and become a reality. Contribute and influence strategic planning and commercial decision-making at senior level. Regular contributions to industry and national bodies.
- Growth: This is not a standard QS role - Join a rapidly growing organisation and enjoy a varied and evolving remit. You’ll have the freedom to explore areas that interest you, whether that’s design innovation, procurement and contract strategy, technology, modern methods of construction, site acquisition appraisals, investment modelling, sales and asset management. Exposure to the full range of property disciplines employed by the agency with open door policy for on-the-job insights. Regular training and CPD with dedicated in-house HR Learning & Development team. 3rd level training subsistence available and encouraged to enhance and turbo charge career.
The Land Development Agency is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to promote and support a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we endeavour to provide reasonable accommodation as required.
Senior Level Quantity Surveyor in Belfast employer: The LDA
The LDA is an attractive employer due to its commitment to social impact through affordable housing initiatives. Employees have the opportunity to work on significant projects that shape communities, alongside experienced professionals in the field. The agency fosters a collaborative environment that encourages growth and development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Level Quantity Surveyor in Belfast
✨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 The LDA, 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 Senior Level Quantity Surveyor at The LDA.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Level Quantity Surveyor in Belfast
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 The LDA
✨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!
