At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-value contracts and deliver commercial services across complex projects.
- Company: Join United Utilities, a FTSE 100 company with a strong purpose.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, bonuses, and health benefits.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on essential infrastructure and drive transformation.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing contracts and a Quantity Surveying degree required.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
About us
United Utilities is on a mission to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West — and our commercial teams play a critical role in making that happen. As a FTSE 100 organisation operating at scale, we offer the complexity, challenge and long-term stability that senior commercial professionals value.
We’re now looking for experienced Senior Quantity Surveyors to join our Commercial team and take ownership of high-value, strategically important contracts that directly support our transformation journey.
If you’re a commercially sharp QS with a construction background — and you want to influence major programmes, lead a team and drive real value — this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
Why join us?
- You’ll be part of a respected organisation with a strong purpose, a collaborative culture and a commitment to innovation.
- We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- 26 days annual leave (rising to 30 with service) + 8 bank holidays
- Up to 14% employer pension contribution
- Up to 10.5% performance-related bonus
- Company-funded healthcare plan
- MyGym Discounts – up to 25% off memberships
- EVolve car scheme
- Share Buy, flexible benefits and enhanced parental leave
- Mental health first aiders and Employee Assistance Plan
This is a place where you can grow, lead and shape your career for the long term.
Job Purpose
As a Senior Quantity Surveyor, you’ll deliver a high-quality commercial service across a portfolio of complex contracts, ensuring value for money, contractual compliance and strong supplier performance. You’ll work closely with operational and senior stakeholders, aligning commercial strategy with business priorities and influencing decisions at every stage of the project lifecycle. You’ll also lead and develop a team of Quantity Surveyors, supporting their growth while ensuring consistent, high-quality commercial delivery.
This is a role with visibility, influence.
What you'll be doing:
- Deliver commercial leadership across projects within the category plan
- Engage with senior stakeholders to align commercial strategy with business needs
- Ensure contractual compliance and proactively manage consultant and contractor performance
- Act as a subject matter expert on commercial and contractual matters
- Manage competing priorities across multiple stakeholders with confidence
- Provide timely escalation and support to the Commercial Manager and Managing QS
- Identify, mitigate and manage commercial and business risks
- Produce and maintain accurate commercial and contractual data
- Lead contract administration throughout the full project lifecycle
- Build strong supplier relationships and drive performance
- Manage post-contract processes including early warnings, change control, forecasting, payments, cost audits and final accounts
- Negotiate and resolve claims and disputes
- Ensure collaborative working across the commercial and regulatory procurement teams
Compliance
What we're looking for:
- Strong experience managing large volumes of contracts through to completion
- Proficiency in Microsoft tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Deep understanding of QS processes across the full project lifecycle
- Knowledge of construction programming/scheduling methodologies
- Experience working with NEC contracts
- Strong commercial negotiation and dispute-resolution skills
- Confident communication and stakeholder-management capability
Essential Qualifications:
- Quantity Surveying degree
Ready to shape the future of essential infrastructure? If you’re a Quantity Surveyor who thrives in a fast-paced, commercially complex environment — and you want to be part of a major transformation programme that benefits millions — we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and become part of the UU family.
Senior Quantity Surveyor in Olney employer: United Utilities
United Utilities is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where commercial professionals can thrive while contributing to vital infrastructure projects that benefit communities across the North West. With competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and robust career development opportunities, we empower our employees to grow and make a meaningful impact in their roles. Join us to be part of a purpose-driven organisation that values innovation and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Quantity Surveyor in Olney
✨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 United Utilities, 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 Quantity Surveyor at United Utilities.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Quantity Surveyor in Olney
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 United Utilities
✨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!
