Quantity Surveyor

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Quantity Surveyor to join a highly reputable residential groundworks contractor based from its Northampton office.

The successful candidate will take commercial responsibility for a portfolio of residential groundworks projects across Northamptonshire, Aylesbury, Milton Keynes, Luton and the surrounding areas.

This is a permanent, full-time position offering a varied working week split between the office and project sites. 

The position would suit a commercially astute Quantity Surveyor with previous experience working on residential groundworks, civil engineering or infrastructure packages, ideally within a subcontractor environment.

You will join an established regional team consisting of a Regional Managing Director, Commercial Director, Commercial Manager and two Trainee Quantity Surveyors.

Project Details

The Northampton region currently manages approximately 27 active residential development sites across Northamptonshire, Aylesbury, Milton Keynes, Luton and nearby locations.

Projects typically involve residential groundworks packages for major housebuilders, including:

• Site preparation and enabling works
• Foundations
• Roads and sewers
• Drainage
• Adopted infrastructure
• External works
• Associated residential civil engineering packages

The successful Quantity Surveyor will manage several projects simultaneously, working closely with site teams, clients, subcontractors, estimators, procurement and finance colleagues.

Responsibilities and Duties

The successful Quantity Surveyor will be responsible for:

• Managing the commercial performance of multiple residential groundworks projects from commencement through to final account
• Undertaking regular site visits and working closely with production and operational teams
• Preparing and reviewing tenders alongside the estimating team
• Reviewing client requirements and identifying opportunities for value engineering
• Providing early cost advice regarding variations and changes to the works
• Ensuring that only properly instructed and authorised variations are undertaken
• Preparing, submitting and agreeing variations, compensation events and additional works
• Analysing rates, prices, project costs and commercial performance
• Preparing valuations, applications for payment and supporting documentation
• Managing subcontractor procurement, appointments, payments and final accounts
• Allocating packages of work to subcontractors and assisting with procurement activities
• Producing accurate monthly cost reports, forecasts and profit projections
• Maintaining financial forecasts throughout the lifecycle of each project
• Identifying commercial risks, potential debt exposure and opportunities to improve project returns
• Negotiating commercial and financial agreements with clients, subcontractors and other third parties
• Working closely with the Finance and Procurement departments to maximise project value
• Reviewing drawings, specifications and contractual documentation
• Providing commercial and technical advice to project teams
• Ensuring all projects have the correct commercial records and supporting documentation
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and key project stakeholders
• Supporting trainee members of the commercial team when required
• Ensuring commercial responsibilities are completed accurately and within agreed deadlines
• Understanding and promoting the company’s health and safety policies
• Raising any health and safety concerns promptly with the relevant site teams and directors

Desired Skills and Experience

The successful Quantity Surveyor will ideally have:

• Previous experience working as a Quantity Surveyor
• Experience working on residential groundworks projects
• Experience working for a groundworks, civil engineering or specialist subcontractor
• The ability to commercially manage several live projects simultaneously
• Strong knowledge of subcontractor procurement and account management
• Experience preparing valuations, variations, cost reports and forecasts
• Strong commercial awareness and negotiation skills
• The ability to identify and resolve commercial problems in a timely manner
• Excellent numerical and analytical skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organisational and time-management abilities
• The confidence to communicate with clients, operational teams and senior management
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word
• A high level of accuracy, discretion and confidentiality
• A proactive, motivated and hardworking approach

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

The successful Quantity Surveyor should hold:

• A degree, HNC or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying, Construction or a related discipline
• A valid CSCS card
• A full, clean UK driving licence

Applicants with strong residential groundworks experience and an alternative relevant qualification may also be considered.

Employing Company Overview and Profile

The employer is an established and highly reputable residential groundworks contractor.

The business delivers groundworks, adopted infrastructure and foundation packages for many of the country’s leading residential developers. It operates across approximately 250 active sites nationwide and has developed a strong reputation for quality, reliability and long-term client relationships.

This role offers the opportunity to join a high-performing commercial team within a business that provides considerable responsibility, career progression and financial reward to motivated employees.

Additional Benefits Package and Incentives

The successful Quantity Surveyor can expect:

• Salary of £45,000–£55,000, with flexibility for an exceptional candidate
• Company car and fuel card, or a car allowance of £840 per month
• Company bonus scheme
• 23 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
• Annual leave increasing by one day during the first three years of continuous service
• Further annual leave increases after five and ten years of service
• Option to buy or sell annual leave
• Employer pension contribution of 3.5%
• Employee pension contribution of 4.5%
• Healthy Living Payment towards a monthly gym or fitness membership
• Employee Assistance Programme through Help@Hand
• Long-service payments
• Permanent, full-time employment
• Working hours of 7:30am–4:30pm, Monday to Friday
• Opportunities for continued career progression within an established national contractor