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, flexible working, private medical care, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of fairness, inclusion, and respect while thriving in your role.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in civil engineering while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: RICS/CIOB/ICES accredited or relevant degree with experience in highways or civil engineering.
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 specialist in-house traffic management division provides expert advice and support across the industry, whilst assisting with our own, in-house contracts.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Quantity Surveyor to join our team at VolkerHighways in Luton. This role is key to ensuring commercial success on our projects by managing costs, maximising recovery, and maintaining strong relationships with Luton Borough Council and the supply chain.
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.
- 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.
About you
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.
- Skills & Competencies: 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 which is a multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across the 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 are 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-comprehensive skills-based training
- Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity benefit
- Flexible working opportunities
- Employee Assistance programme
- Mental health, physical health, and financial support
- 24/7 Virtual GP service
Fairness, inclusion and respect
We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that, whatever their background, VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive.
If you need support with your application, please contact us at.
Additional information
Note for Recruitment Agencies: Our preference is to hire directly, and we will reach out to our Preferred Supplier List (PSL) agencies if this particular role qualifies for release. We kindly request that you refrain from sending speculative CVs. In the event of speculative CV submissions, no fees will be applicable, and we kindly ask that all inquiries to be directed.
VolkerWessels UK is committed to maintaining healthy, safe and productive working conditions for its entire staff and therefore a drugs & alcohol screening is mandatory for all.
Senior Quantity Surveyor in Luton employer: VolkerWessels UK Ltd
VolkerStevin, part of the VolkerWessels UK Group, is an exceptional employer that prioritises safety and employee well-being at its Preston Head Office. With a strong commitment to professional development, competitive benefits, and a culture of fairness and inclusion, we empower our employees to thrive while working on some of the UK's most critical infrastructure projects. Join us to lead health and safety excellence in a collaborative environment that values your expertise and fosters continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Quantity Surveyor in Luton
✨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 VolkerWessels UK Ltd, 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 VolkerWessels UK Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Quantity Surveyor in Luton
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 VolkerWessels UK Ltd
✨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!
