Senior Quantity Surveyor

Position: Senior Quantity Surveyor (Permanent)
Location: Greater London

Senior Quantity Surveyor / Commercial Lead

Sector:
Main Contractor – Healthcare, Education, Defence (Design & Build / Full Turnkey)

Location:

London (projects across Greater London)
Start:
January (interviewing now)

Contract:

Permanent, full-time
Salary:
Competitive + car/allowance + bonus + benefits (DOE)

Why this role exists

We’re scaling a London portfolio delivering complex, full-turnkey projects that change lives—hospitals, schools and secure estates. Our work has massive social impact and we’re committed to outstanding client satisfaction and practical, affordable solutions with a lower carbon footprint on every scheme.

Our impact & culture

Here, Directors walk the walk. They’re visible on projects, available to teams, and they hold work–life balance as a core business objective—not a slogan. Expect trust, flexibility, and delivery standards that match our values in the communities we serve.

The opportunity

As Senior QS / Commercial Lead you’ll own commercial performance across one or more live projects, lead a small team of QS/ACost professionals, and be the upbeat, hands-on presence that keeps cost, programme and quality in sync. You’ll be client-facing, decisive, and comfortable moving from boardroom to site cabin in the same afternoon.

What you’ll do

* Lead the commercial function on allocated projects (pre- and post-contract).

* Build robust cost plans, budgets and cashflows; own CVRs and monthly reporting.

* Procure and manage packages: tendering, analysis, negotiation, let and administration.

* Drive change control, early warnings and compensation events (NEC) / variations (JCT).

* Guide subcontractor relationships: payments, valuations, final accounts, disputes avoidance.

* Lead value engineering and carbon-aware, affordable alternatives without compromising outcomes.

* Chair/attend progress meetings; produce clear, timely commercial intelligence for senior leadership and clients.

* Line-manage and mentor QS/Assistant QS team members; set standards, review work, grow capability.

* Protect margin through risk identification, mitigation and opportunity capture.

* Ensure compliance with contract, governance, H&S and quality systems.

What you’ll bring

* Proven experience as Senior QS or Commercial Lead with a main contractor.

* Demonstrable track record leading a team (coaching, reviews, developing others).

* Confident across both NEC and JCT forms, design & build routes and turnkey delivery.

* Hands-on mindset: happy on site, sleeves rolled up, proactive and solutions-focused.

* Strong commercial acumen: CVR ownership, forecasting accuracy, claims/change control.

* Client-facing credibility with clear, upbeat communication and calm under pressure.

* Sector know-how in Healthcare, Education and/or Defence preferred.

* RICS (MRICS/Assoc

RICS) or equivalent experience desired.

* SC/CTC clearance or eligibility advantageous for Defence work.

* Right to work in the UK and ability to travel across London projects.

What’s on offer

* Impactful schemes with real social value across London.

* Leaders who model balance and protect team wellbeing while driving high performance.

* Competitive package (salary, car/allowance, bonus, pension, healthcare, paid professional fees).

* Ongoing CPD and support towards chartership (if applicable).

* A culture that values customer satisfaction, affordability, and lower-carbon choices on every job.

How to apply

Send your CV (and a brief note on a team you’ve led and your proudest commercial win) with subject line “Senior QS / Commercial Lead – London (Jan Start)”. Shortlisting is active now; interviews scheduled promptly