At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial activities on exciting infrastructure projects and manage costs effectively.
- Company: Join VolkerHighways, a leader in highways and street lighting maintenance.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private medical care, and extra leave on your birthday.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in civil engineering while developing your career.
- Qualifications: RICS accredited or relevant degree with experience in highways or civil engineering.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values fairness, inclusion, and respect.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
VolkerHighways is a market leader in the delivery of highways and street lighting term maintenance contracts. We build strong collaborative relationships with our clients to drive improvements and efficiency in all our activities. We have the capability to deliver major surfacing and public realm infrastructure projects. Our in‑house traffic management division provides expert advice and support across the industry, whilst assisting with our own contracts.
We now have an excellent opportunity for a Senior Quantity Surveyor to support commercial performance across our projects in West Sussex, ensuring effective cost control, contract management, and strong relationships with clients and supply chain partners.
Key Responsibilities- Commercial & Cost Management: Lead commercial activity on allocated projects, ensuring accurate forecasting, cost/value reporting, and cashflow management. Maintain robust records of site activities, variations, valuations, risk, and opportunities. Prepare monthly CVRs, forecasts, accruals, liabilities, and revenue reports. Ensure subcontract payments and main contract payments are processed accurately and on time. Protect VolkerHighways’ commercial interests through proactive contract administration.
- Procurement & Subcontract Management: Manage procurement activities, including developing procurement schedules with the Project Manager. Prepare high‑quality subcontract documentation with clear scopes, responsibilities, and expectations. Oversee accurate measurement of works, manage subcontract instructions, variations, contra‑charges, and account settlements. Ensure compliance with commercial policy and all contractual notice requirements.
- Project & Team Support: Work closely with the Project Manager and site team to ensure commercial awareness and adherence to processes. Mentor, guide, and support junior surveyors and wider project staff. Ensure effective communication, participation in internal reviews, and timely action closure.
- Client & Consultant Interface: Maintain professional, productive relationships with clients, designers, and consultants. Issue and manage client instructions, reporting formats, valuations, and forecast updates. Ensure excellent client service, clear communication, and proper authorisation before additional works commence.
- Construction Phase Support: Ensure commercial involvement in programme planning and contractual considerations. Support design management and consultant deliverables, ensuring timely information and compliance. Attend design and project meetings, raising issues that impact cost or programme.
- Health, Safety, Environment & Quality: Support adherence to VolkerHighways’ HSEQ policies across all subcontract and project activities. Promote a safe working culture and ensure all staff understand their responsibilities.
- Post‑Construction: Assist in final account closure, subcontract settlements, retention recovery, and project archiving. Manage defects resolution with subcontractors and oversee close‑out obligations.
We’re looking for an experienced and commercially strong Senior Quantity Surveyor who can lead commercial functions across complex projects. You will bring:
Experience & Qualifications:- Accredited qualification with RICS, CIOB or ICES, or relevant degree/HND.
- Proven experience as a QS/Senior QS within highways or civil engineering.
- Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts and term maintenance arrangements.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and leadership skills.
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to analyse costs, manage risks, and maximise value.
- Experience in subcontract management and procurement.
- Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and support a collaborative team culture.
- Proficiency in Causeway and Microsoft Office systems.
- A proactive, professional, and solutions‑focused approach.
If your past experience doesn’t match perfectly with every requirement of the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for us.
Why work with us?VolkerHighways is under the umbrella of VolkerWessels UK, a multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across civil engineering and construction sectors including rail, highways, airport, marine, energy, water, and environmental infrastructure. By utilising the specialist skills of each business unit within VolkerWessels UK, VolkerHighways is able to ensure our staff provide unrivalled resources and expertise to our clients.
We offer competitive rewards and benefits, recognising the value we place on our employees. We offer a range of benefits, including:
- Competitive salary
- Competitive annual leave and an additional day off on your birthday
- Option to buy additional annual leave
- Private medical care
- Pension
- Life Assurance
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts
- Training and development opportunities—a comprehensive skills-based training
- Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity benefits
- Employee Assistance programme
- Mental health, physical health, and financial support
- 24/7 Virtual GP service
We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive.
If you need support with your application, please contact us at careers@volkerwessels.co.uk
Senior Quantity Surveyor in Chichester employer: Volkerrail Group
Contact Detail:
Volkerrail Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Quantity Surveyor in Chichester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the lookout for a Senior Quantity Surveyor role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching VolkerHighways and understanding their projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in commercial management and client relationships. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets what they do.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Quantity Surveyor, you’ll need to demonstrate strong negotiation abilities. Role-play scenarios with a friend or mentor to build confidence and refine your approach before those crucial discussions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the VolkerHighways team. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Quantity Surveyor in Chichester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that match the Senior Quantity Surveyor role. Highlight your commercial management experience and any relevant projects you've worked on, especially in highways or civil engineering.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for VolkerHighways. Mention your understanding of NEC contracts and how you can contribute to our collaborative culture.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've improved cost control or managed successful projects. This will help us see the value you can bring to our team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Volkerrail Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Quantity Surveyor, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in cost management. Brush up on key metrics related to forecasting, cashflow management, and cost/value reporting. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you successfully managed costs or improved financial performance.
✨Master the Contracts
Familiarise yourself with NEC contracts and term maintenance arrangements, as these are crucial for the role. Prepare to explain how you've navigated contract administration in previous projects. Highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them to protect commercial interests.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
You'll be mentoring junior surveyors, so it's important to convey your leadership style. Think of examples where you've guided a team or resolved conflicts. Discuss how you foster collaboration and ensure everyone is aligned with project goals, especially under pressure.
✨Build Rapport with Clients
Strong relationships with clients and supply chain partners are key. Prepare to share how you've maintained professional relationships in the past. Think about specific instances where your communication skills led to successful outcomes, and be ready to discuss how you handle client instructions and feedback.