Quantity Surveyor in Watford

The Quantity Surveyor (QS) will provide dedicated commercial and contractual support to WJ Groundwater’s Sizewell C (SZC) dewatering, groundwater control, drilling, and temporary works packages. Operating within one of the UK’s largest infrastructure and nuclear construction environments, the QS ensures that all commercial processes are delivered to the highest standards of accuracy, governance and compliance. The role supports the Managing QS and Project Manager in delivering strong commercial control, accurate forecasting, robust change management, and maximised value for the SZC project, while ensuring commercial risks are identified and managed early.

Regular presence on site (minimum two days each week) is essential to maintain strong relationships with the client team, principal contractor, and WJ’s delivery personnel, and to ensure real-time commercial visibility of site activities.

Key areas of responsibility:

• Contract & Commercial Administration: Support the administration of WJ’s SZC packages under NEC3/4, and project-specific nuclear framework requirements. Prepare and issue contractual notices, early warnings, and programme-impact information in accordance with NEC procedures. Work closely with SZC client teams, main contractors and WJ site staff to ensure contractual obligations are understood and met. Assist with the preparation of time submissions, compensation events and variations arising from complex groundwater conditions, additional pumping requirements, or drilling changes. Maintain accurate and detailed commercial records to satisfy nuclear-sector auditing and compliance standards.
• Financial Management & Cost Control: Maintain live cost plans, CVRs, and forecasting specific to SZC project scopes. Validate and track costs associated with well drilling/installation, pumping systems and energy usage, pipework and discharge arrangements, water treatment systems, monitoring instrumentation, subcontractors and specialist plant. Prepare accurate monthly valuations and applications for payment in line with SZC reporting cycles. Identify commercial risks and opportunities early and report to the Managing QS. Ensure all commercial inputs align with WJ’s financial controls and IMS requirements.
• Measurement, Valuation & Change Management: Regularly attend SZC site to measure progress and verify quantities of completed works. Track changes arising from unforeseen ground conditions, productivity variations, layout changes, or extended pumping durations. Assist in preparing compensation events, quotations and re-measures, ensuring alignment with nuclear-sector documentation standards. Support preparation of interim and final accounts.
• Client & Stakeholder Interface: Attend SZC progress meetings and commercial reviews at least twice weekly. Maintain strong working relationships with EDF/SZC client teams, main contractors, commercial managers, and project stakeholders. Provide accurate and timely commercial updates, ensuring transparency and collaborative commercial behaviour.
• Support to Operations & Project Delivery: Work with Project Managers to ensure operational decisions on site consider commercial implications. Support procurement of specialist drilling equipment and water management systems within commercial constraints. Ensure compliance with WJ’s IMS, quality, environmental and health & safety expectations (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001) and with SZC project governance, including security and documentation requirements. Promote continuous improvement in commercial processes and reporting.
• Reporting, Forecasting & Governance: Produce regular commercial updates, CVR data and cashflow forecasts for the Managing QS and Operations Manager. Ensure robust, auditable data for nuclear-sector governance and SZC reporting requirements. Support month-end reporting with accurate project metrics, cost data and risk management commentary.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Essential: Degree or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying or Commercial Management. 2–5 years' experience in construction, civil engineering, M&E, temporary works or specialist subcontracting. Experience with NEC3/4 and/or JCT contracts and change management procedures. Strong commercial awareness and analytical skills. Ability to build effective relationships with project teams and client stakeholders. Strong communication and report-writing skills. Full UK Driving Licence and willingness to travel routinely to a major infrastructure site (SZC).
• Desirable: Experience working on large infrastructure, nuclear, energy, or civil engineering projects. Knowledge of dewatering, groundwater control, drilling operations or environmental systems. Progress toward RICS/ICES or similar professional status.

Working Conditions: Based primarily at Kings Langley Head Office. Mandatory minimum of two days per week at Sizewell C site, with flexibility depending on project phase. Additional travel to WJ’s Bilsthorpe yard or other project locations may be required. Routine use of Visual Display Unit (VDU).

Physical Requirements: The role is predominately office based but does require that the candidate utilises a Visual Display Unit (VDU) as part of their day-to-day activities.

General Expectations: Uphold WJ’s values and commitment to safety, quality and environmental performance and comply with both WJ and SZC safety and environmental standards. Demonstrate professionalism suitable for a major nuclear-infrastructure project. Promote high-quality commercial practices and continuous improvement. Undertake additional responsibilities suitable to the role to support project success.