Senior Consultant - Commercial & Quantum

A superb opportunity has arisen for an experienced Quantity Surveyor / Commercial professional to join a specialist commercial and contract management consultancy based in Darlington in the North East, at Senior Consultant level.
This role would suit a Quantity Surveyor with a solid track record of commercial management gained with a reputable contractor or consultancy, who is keen to develop their expertise in commercial recovery, quantum analysis and construction claims and disputes.
You will use your strong commercial foundations on a variety of building, civil engineering and infrastructure projects, while being given the opportunity, training and support to build your experience in claims, quantum and dispute-related work over time.

Project Details

Working within this specialist commercial and contract management consultancy, you will provide services to a range of clients, including:

• Tier one and regional main contractors
• Specialist subcontractors
• Client and employer organisations

The consultancy’s core focus is on commercial management, quantum assessment and commercial recovery, with additional involvement in claims and dispute resolution. You will work on a mix of live projects and retrospective commissions that may include:

• Traditional commercial / QS support on live projects
• Quantum analysis and assessment of change, costs and entitlements
• Support in the preparation and defence of claims and, where relevant, formal disputes such as adjudication

You will not be expected to arrive with formal disputes experience, but you will have the opportunity to develop this as your experience grows and your interest dictates.

Responsibilities and Duties

As a Senior Consultant – Commercial & Quantum, you will work both independently and as part of small, focused teams. You will lead individual workstreams, take responsibility for high-quality commercial outputs and have regular client-facing interaction.
Typical duties will include:

• Leading the review and analysis of tender, contract and project documentation
• Providing commercial management support on live projects, from procurement through to final account
• Identifying, evidencing and supporting clients’ commercial entitlements on change, loss and expense and other matters
• Interrogating and assessing construction costs, valuations, change records and commercial reporting
• Preparing or contributing to the preparation of commercial reports, cost assessments and quantum analyses
• Drafting clear written narratives, commercial justifications and supporting information for compensation events or similar change mechanisms
• Supporting, and in time helping to lead, the preparation of claims documentation (training provided as needed)
• Assisting with the preparation of dispute referral, response and reply documents for adjudications where appropriate, under the guidance of more senior colleagues
• Applying and advising on standard forms of contract, in particular NEC, and potentially JCT and bespoke forms
• Liaising closely with client commercial, project and site teams, and occasionally working from client offices or project sites as required
• Providing support and informal guidance to more junior consultants as your experience and responsibility grows

The role will provide regular exposure to complex commercial issues and quantum assessments, with the option to grow into more formal disputes work as your career interests evolve.

Desired Skills and Experience

The successful Senior Consultant – Commercial & Quantum is likely to demonstrate:

• Significant experience as a Quantity Surveyor / Commercial professional with a reputable main contractor, subcontractor or comparable consultancy
• Strong, hands-on experience of core commercial management: valuations, variations, change control, cost reporting and final accounts
• Good working knowledge of NEC forms of contract, including compensation events and payment mechanisms (experience with JCT and/or bespoke contracts also beneficial)
• Experience working in organisations with robust commercial procedures and reporting
• Confidence in preparing, assessing and interrogating construction costs and commercial data
• Ability to draft clear, well-structured commercial correspondence and narratives
• Exposure to claims and/or commercial recovery issues
• Any experience supporting formal disputes (e.g. adjudication) would be a bonus
• Excellent planning, organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and deadlines
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with confidence when dealing with client commercial and project teams

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• A degree (or equivalent) in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or a closely related discipline is essential
• Ideally a Chartered Quantity Surveyor (MRICS or equivalent) – strong candidates who are close to achieving chartered status will also be considered
• Any additional training or postgraduate study in construction law, contract law or dispute resolution would be an advantage but is not a requirement

Employing Company Overview and Profile

The employer is a British commercial and contract management consultancy with a prestigious client base that includes tier one main contractors, regional contractors, specialist subcontractors and client organisations.
They operate nationally and also have involvement on selected international projects. Much of your work can be undertaken from the company’s Darlington office in the North East, with hybrid working where appropriate. However, it is common for consultants to be embedded within client teams for specific commissions, which may involve working on sites or in client offices, including in London and the South. You should therefore be prepared to travel when required.
This Senior Consultant role is particularly well suited to experienced Quantity Surveyors who enjoy the commercial side of projects and want to broaden into more specialist commercial, quantum and (optionally) disputes-related work within a focused consultancy environment.
The business promotes an inclusive, professional working culture and actively supports ongoing training, professional development and clear career progression.

Additional Benefits Package and Incentives

• Salary: £70,000 – £85,000 (DOE)
• Discretionary bonus
• Private medical insurance
• Pension scheme
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
• Professional fees paid (where applicable)
• Opportunities for further training, development and progression