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
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Lead the commercial function on allocated projects (pre- and post-contract).
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Build robust cost plans, budgets and cashflows; own CVRs and monthly reporting.
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Procure and manage packages: tendering, analysis, negotiation, let and administration.
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Drive change control, early warnings and compensation events (NEC) / variations (JCT).
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Guide subcontractor relationships: payments, valuations, final accounts, disputes avoidance.
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Lead value engineering and carbon-aware, affordable alternatives without compromising outcomes.
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Chair/attend progress meetings; produce clear, timely commercial intelligence for senior leadership and clients.
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Line-manage and mentor QS/Assistant QS team members; set standards, review work, grow capability.
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Protect margin through risk identification, mitigation and opportunity capture.
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Ensure compliance with contract, governance, H&S and quality systems.
What you’ll bring
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Proven experience as Senior QS or Commercial Lead with a main contractor.
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Demonstrable track record leading a team (coaching, reviews, developing others).
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Confident across both NEC and JCT forms, design & build routes and turnkey delivery.
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Hands-on mindset: happy on site, sleeves rolled up, proactive and solutions-focused.
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Strong commercial acumen: CVR ownership, forecasting accuracy, claims/change control.
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Client-facing credibility with clear, upbeat communication and calm under pressure.
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Sector know-how in Healthcare, Education and/or Defence preferred.
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RICS (MRICS/AssocRICS) or equivalent experience desired.
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SC/CTC clearance or eligibility advantageous for Defence work.
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Right to work in the UK and ability to travel across London projects.
What’s on offer
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Impactful schemes with real social value across London.
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Leaders who model balance and protect team wellbeing while driving high performance.
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Competitive package (salary, car/allowance, bonus, pension, healthcare, paid professional fees).
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Ongoing CPD and support towards chartership (if applicable).
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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