Senior Quantity Surveyor

Company Overview

Our client is a specialist civil engineering contractor with a genuine technical edge, focused on complex trenchless (no-dig) works including sewer condition surveys, pipe rehabilitation and specialist trenchless installations.

With a trading history spanning more than three decades, the business operates from multiple bases across Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, giving it a genuinely cross-border footprint that is rare among specialist contractors of its size.

The business is privately run, giving genuine access to decision-makers and a leaner, less bureaucratic way of working than is typical of a larger main contractor. It continues to grow steadily, driven by an expanding project pipeline, and is investing further in its commercial team as a result.

This is a business that places genuine emphasis on people, performance and progression, with a structured approach to career development and a culture built on collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

Working Environment & Projects

You will join a lean, technically strong commercial function, giving you real visibility and influence from day one rather than being one of many QSs in a large team. The role reports directly into senior leadership, providing close access to key decision-makers.

The project portfolio spans flood alleviation schemes, culvert rehabilitation, major infrastructure crossings, sea outfalls and live rail crossings, delivered across water & sewerage, oil & gas, aviation, road, marine and rail sectors — technically demanding infrastructure work rather than routine groundworks. This genuinely varied sector base keeps the work and your CV interesting, rather than repeating the same project type for years.

Contracts are predominantly delivered under NEC3/NEC4 (ECC) terms, typical of utility and infrastructure clients, blending negotiated/framework-style work with competitively tendered packages. You will run commercial administration across several live contracts concurrently, with full autonomy to drive the right commercial outcome on each — both client-side (applications, variations, compensation events) and subcontractor-side (procurement, valuations, final accounts).

Responsibilities

• Take full commercial ownership across a portfolio of live civil engineering contracts, running each with genuine autonomy
• Manage client-side commercial obligations including applications, variations and compensation events
• Oversee subcontractor-side administration, including procurement, valuations and final accounts
• Drive the appropriate commercial outcome on each contract, balancing client and subcontractor interests
• Coordinate closely with project delivery and planning teams to protect commercial and programme integrity
• Report directly to senior leadership on commercial performance and risk across the portfolio
• Contribute to the development of the commercial function as the business grows
• Maintain accurate, robust commercial administration across a varied, cross-sector project portfolio

What You Need

• 8–15+ years' commercial/quantity surveying experience at a senior level, with proven full commercial autonomy
• A background within a Tier 1 or Tier 2 civil engineering / infrastructure contractor (contractor-side)
• Experience administering client-side commercial obligations — applications, variations and compensation events, not subcontractor-side work alone
• Strong subcontract commercial administration experience: procurement, valuations and final accounts
• Exposure to NEC3/NEC4 contract environments is strongly relevant
• Existing right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this role
• A decisive, resilient, low-ego approach, comfortable operating with genuine autonomy rather than within a heavy sign-off culture

What You'll Get in Return

This role offers a highly competitive salary of up to £90,000, together with a company car (or £6,000–£8,000 car allowance), private healthcare, a performance bonus and pension. Hybrid working (3 days office / 2 days home) is on offer, along with genuine flexibility on commuting distance. Beyond the package, you will gain genuine commercial autonomy, exposure to a varied, technically demanding project portfolio, and a clear route into Commercial Manager or Senior Commercial Lead as the business continues to grow.

How to Apply

To explore this opportunity in confidence, please forward your CV or project profile to [email protected] for an initial confidential discussion.