At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy for major infrastructure projects and ensure financial success.
- Company: Join Yorkshire Water, a key player in providing essential water services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car scheme, private healthcare, and generous leave.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on Yorkshire's water services while shaping your career.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Senior Quantity Surveyor with strong commercial management skills.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 80000 £ per year.
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.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Quantity Surveyor to join the Capital Project team at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers.
What we do: Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity.
New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. The Capital Project team are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators. Join a high-impact role where you’ll shape the commercial success of major infrastructure projects from day one.
Where you fit in:
- 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, and mentor and support junior commercial colleagues.
- Contribute to continuous improvement by enhancing commercial processes, tools, and ways of working.
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.
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).
- Option to sign up to the EV Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme 6 months after joining.
- Annual incentive related bonus (up to 10% of annual salary, increasing to 15% in the 26-27 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.
- 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.
Closing date: The closing date for this role is the 1st of July 2026.
Principal Quantity Surveyor employer: Yorkshire Water
Yorkshire Water is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can make a real impact on the community and the environment. With a strong focus on employee growth, competitive benefits including a generous pension scheme and health care options, and a collaborative culture that values innovation and integrity, you'll thrive in your role as Principal Quantity Surveyor. The upcoming move to Leeds Valley Park enhances our commitment to modern working practices, ensuring a vibrant workplace for all staff.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal 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 Yorkshire Water, 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 Principal Quantity Surveyor at Yorkshire Water.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal 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 Yorkshire Water
✨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!
