Senior Quantity Surveyor

The Senior Quantity Surveyor is a senior cost and commercial professional responsible for the financial management, cost control, and commercial assurance of complex construction and infrastructure contracts within one or more Integrated Project Teams (IPTs). Operating with a level of autonomy, the role provides expert quantity surveying advice across the full project lifecycle from cost planning and procurement through to final account agreement. The post holder ensures robust cost governance, accurate measurement and valuation, effective change control, and proactive commercial risk management, in line with RICS professional standards, organisational governance, and regulatory requirements (including PA23 where applicable).

Accountability 1: Cost Management & Commercial Control

• Lead the cost management of major construction and infrastructure contracts, ensuring accurate forecasting, budgetary control, and cost assurance.
• Prepare, review, and maintain cost plans and cost breakdown structures, target costs and pain/gain mechanisms, forecasts, cashflows, and earned value metrics.
• Successfully triage Early Warnings, Compensation Events and other commercial claims.
• Provide authoritative advice on commercial and cost impacts of design development, scope change, and programme movement.
• Ensure costs are managed in line with approved budgets, governance thresholds, and delegated authorities.

Accountability 2: Measurement, Valuation & Change Control

• Lead the measurement and valuation of works, including interim applications for payment, assessment of defined cost / compensation events, variations, changes, and claims.
• Ensure change is properly instructed, valued, negotiated, and recorded in accordance with contractual mechanisms (e.g. NEC).
• Challenge contractor submissions to ensure value for money, robustness, and contractual compliance.
• Agree final accounts and support timely, controlled contract close‑out.

Accountability 3: Contract & Procurement Support

• Support or lead commercial input into procurement strategies for construction and infrastructure works.
• Advise on contract selection, pricing mechanisms, risk allocation, and commercial models.
• Lead or support commercial negotiations at tender and post‑contract stages.
• Ensure contracts are administered in line with agreed terms, governance standards, and regulatory requirements.

Accountability 4: Risk, Claims & Dispute Management

• Identify, assess, and manage cost and commercial risks, ensuring mitigation strategies are developed and implemented.
• Support dispute avoidance through early intervention, commercial negotiation, and robust contract administration.
• Provide expert support and leadership to formal dispute resolution processes where required.

Accountability 5: Reporting, Governance & Assurance

• Produce and assure high‑quality cost and commercial reporting for senior stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate, auditable cost and contract records in line with organisational and regulatory requirements.
• Support internal and external audits and provide professional commercial assurance.
• Drive continuous improvement in cost management processes, data quality, and reporting discipline.

Accountability 6: Stakeholder Management & Leadership

• Build trusted relationships within the wider Commercial team, Project Managers, Engineers, Finance, and senior stakeholders.
• Represent the organisation in meetings with contractors and delivery partners.
• Provide mentoring, guidance, and professional oversight to direct reports, and early‑career colleagues.
• Act as a role model for professional integrity, ethical behaviour, and organisational values.

Accountability 7: Embody a Leadership Mindset

• Foster a positive and inclusive team environment that aligns with our cultural values.
• Contribute to maintaining a respectful and collaborative workplace, valuing diversity, and promoting teamwork.
• Act as a cultural ambassador, representing our organisation’s values and professionalism in interactions with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.
• Lead by example, demonstrating integrity, professionalism, and ethical behaviour.
• Make informed decisions and solve problems effectively, considering diverse perspectives and organisational goals.

The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of activities and you may be required to undertake other reasonable tasks or duties requested.

£44,290 + excellent benefits including outstanding pension.

What skills and experience you’ll bring to us:

• Significant experience in quantity surveying or cost management on construction, infrastructure projects or similar.
• Proven ability to administer high‑value, high‑risk contracts across the project lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of standard forms of contract (e.g. NEC, bespoke construction contracts).
• Demonstrable expertise in cost forecasting, valuation, change control, and final accounts.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Degree or equivalent in Quantity Surveying or a related discipline.
• Actively working towards Chartered status (MRICS), or already Chartered.
• Ability to demonstrate competence aligned to RICS pathways, particularly: Commercial Management of Construction, Construction Technology and Environmental Services, Contract Practice, Procurement and Tendering, Risk Management.

Beneficial:

• Experience working in highly regulated or public‑sector environments.
• Experience supporting or managing junior quantity surveying staff.
• Familiarity with assurance, governance, and delegated authority frameworks.

Additional Information:

• Active engagement with APM and other relevant external bodies as part of continuous development.
• Support the wider STEP PPM community via active contributions at STEP meetings and events, contributions at Community of Practice or conferences etc.
• We welcome applications from under‑represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and ethnic minority backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities.
• Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation.
• We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.
• UKIFS is committed to being accessible. Please email if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.
• This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions.
• Whilst not required at this time, there is a possibility of an SC Clearance being required in the future. If a candidate already holds an SC clearance, that clearance can be transferred to UKIFS.

As we work towards our mission and goals, guided by our principles, STEP has six behaviours that are intended to capture the spirit of how we work:

• We champion safety.
• We all matter.
• We act as one.
• We are pioneering.
• We deliver.

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks: Criminal Records Checks for Overseas Applicants.

As an employee of UKAEA you will benefit from:

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies.
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays.
• A vibrant culture committed to equality and being fully inclusive.

What can I expect from the application process at UKAEA? Once you have submitted a formal application via our website, all CVs will be reviewed shortly after the closing date of the advert.