At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide cost advice and commercial support for facilities management projects.
- Company: Join VIVO, a leader in facilities management for the UK military.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company car, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while ensuring value for money in essential services.
- Qualifications: Experience in construction or facilities management; HND in Quantity Surveying preferred.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 48000 £ per year.
Location: RAF Honington, on site role
Contract Type: Full Time
Salary: £40,000-£48,000 + Company car/Car allowance
Job Summary: We are seeking a commercially astute Quantity Surveyor to support the delivery of core services and Billable Works across a complex facilities management contract. This is an opportunity to play a key role within the Commercial Team, providing cost control, risk management and contractual guidance to operational colleagues while ensuring value for money and compliance at every stage.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide cost advice and commercial support across both reactive services and project-based works.
- Develop cost models, review and price works proposals, manage change in line with contract requirements and ensure milestone payments and final accounts are achieved in accordance with business targets.
- Support the resolution of supply chain queries, monitor supplier performance and manage payments in line with contractual and company policy.
- Build strong relationships with stakeholders, including client representatives and end users, ensuring commercial processes are understood and adhered to.
- Attend risk meetings, review risk registers and follow structured risk management procedures to protect the business from financial and contractual exposure.
- Assist in dispute avoidance and resolution, supporting senior commercial colleagues where required.
- Ensure that all commercial activity complies with statutory, health and safety, sustainability and governance requirements.
- Contribute to sustainability initiatives by supporting the incorporation of carbon reduction and utility efficiency measures into service delivery and Billable Works.
- Maintain accuracy, integrity and fraud prevention in all financial and contractual activities.
About You: You will have solid commercial experience within construction, property maintenance or facilities management, with a strong understanding of cost planning, tender preparation, change management and risk analysis. You will be confident working across multiple concurrent projects, able to manage competing priorities while maintaining attention to detail and commercial control. You will ideally hold an HND or Foundation Degree in Quantity Surveying (or equivalent experience) and have at least four years’ experience in the FM or construction sector. Experience working on projects ranging from smaller concurrent works through to larger schemes is important. Health and Safety awareness training is essential, and professional membership or chartered status (RICS/CIOB) is desirable. Strong communication and negotiation skills are critical. You will be comfortable influencing stakeholders at all levels, providing clear commercial guidance and building collaborative working relationships. A proactive mindset, sound judgement and the ability to deliver results in a changing environment will ensure success in this role.
What We Offer:
- 6% employee matched pension contribution
- 25 days annual leave
- Single private medical cover
- Company car/car allowance
- Life assurance 2x annual salary
VIVO Defence Services: The role you have applied for is with VIVO Defence Services, a joint venture between Serco and EQUANS. By applying for this role, please be aware that information contained within your CV may be shared between VIVO Defence Services, Serco and EQUANS during the recruitment process. 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: VIVO Defence Services
VIVO Defence Services is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Located at RAF Honington in Thetford, Norfolk, we provide our Quantity Surveyors with competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits including a company car or allowance, and opportunities to engage in meaningful projects that contribute to the UK military and its partners. Our commitment to sustainability and collaboration ensures that every team member plays a vital role in delivering high-quality services while enjoying a flexible working environment.
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
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 VIVO Defence Services, 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 VIVO Defence Services.
We think you need these skills to ace Quantity Surveyor
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 VIVO Defence Services
✨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!
