Principal Quantity Surveyor in Leeds

Benefits:

• Competitive salary, depending on experience (£65,000 - £80,000)
• Company car lease/allowance scheme (£500 per month/£6,000 per year, based on full-time employment on joining the company)
• Annual incentive related bonus (up to 10% of annual salary, increasing to 15% in the 26 to 27 performance year)
• Private health care (self only)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution)
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – plus 2 extra wellness days
• A great benefits package – choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover
• Retail savings scheme
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more

Location:

This role will initially be based in Bradford but we’re moving our office to Leeds Valley Park in summer 2026, so you’ll be based there in the future. Hybrid Working (2 days in the office a week – Bradford/Leeds). Other days will consist of a mix of site visits, working in consultant and contractor offices, and working from home.

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

Responsibilities:

• Be the trusted commercial partner to the Senior Project Manager and project team, influencing decisions from concept through to completion.
• Shape and drive commercial strategy, ensuring projects are set up for success from day one.
• Provide expert advice on contract strategy, procurement routes, risk allocation, and cost management, aligned with best practice and regulatory requirements.
• Take the lead in building strong, productive relationships with delivery partners and consultants.
• Own and drive project budgets, forecasts, and cost plans across every stage of the project lifecycle.
• Champion robust cost control and change management, always ensuring financial discipline.
• Deliver maximum value for money through smart cost challenge, innovative thinking, and strategic decision-making—without compromising on safety, quality, or performance.
• Lead the commercial management of key contracts (NEC, IChemE, or similar), including early warnings, compensation events, and final accounts.
• Proactively identify and manage risks and opportunities, ensuring projects stay on track commercially.
• Play a key role in resolving commercial issues and supporting dispute avoidance.
• Ensure full compliance with commercial policies, governance frameworks, and regulatory expectations.
• Produce and present high-quality commercial reports and forecasts to senior stakeholders and governance forums.
• Support audits and provide assurance, helping maintain transparency and accountability across the programme.
• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, collaborating with PMO, engineering, planning, procurement, and delivery partners.
• Mentor and support junior commercial colleagues, helping to build capability across the team.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by enhancing commercial processes, tools, and ways of working.

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• A significant experience operating in a Senior or Principal Quantity Surveyor role, ideally within large-scale infrastructure or regulated utilities environments.
• A strong understanding of capital delivery frameworks within the UK water sector or similarly regulated industries.
• In-depth knowledge of contract forms (NEC preferred) and commercial management best practice.
• Proven ability to manage complex project budgets, change control processes, and commercial risk effectively.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence to influence and engage at senior levels.
• Experience working within AMP-based capital programmes would be advantageous.
• A relevant professional qualification (e.g. MRICS or equivalent) is desirable.
• Experience of collaborative delivery models and alliance-style contracting is beneficial.
• A commercially astute mindset, with a strong focus on delivering value and positive outcomes.
• A collaborative, proactive, and solutions-focused approach to work.
• Demonstrates high standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability.

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life.

Closing date: The closing date for this role is the 1st of July 2026. If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required. We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible. If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required. Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.