Lead Quantity Surveyor - Water Infrastructure
Location: West Midlands | Tamworth / Coventry / Derby (4 days office-based minimum)
£80,000 to £95,000 + 25 days annual leave, private healthcare, private pension and paid professional fees
I'm partnering with a major global consultancy and supporting them with their search for a Lead Quantity Surveyor to join their team on a large water framework covering the West Midlands. The Lead Quantity Surveyor will play a key role in the close out of past work throughout AMP7 and overseeing the delivery of future work as part of AMP8.
This is a senior, client-facing role requiring exceptional NEC expertise, strategic commercial oversight and the ability to lead teams while resolving complex commercial and contractual challenges at pace.
About the Role
As Lead Quantity Surveyor, you will hold overall responsibility for the commercial performance of the contract, spanning AMP7 close-out and AMP8 capital works delivery. You will act as the principal commercial advisor to the client, providing leadership, assurance and direction across cost, risk, governance and contractual compliance.
You will manage and mentor a team of Quantity Surveyors, work closely with senior client stakeholders and provide clear, decisive commercial leadership across a large, regulated infrastructure environment.
The role is based from Tamworth, Coventry or Derby, with a requirement to be office or site based at least four days per week.
Key Responsibilities
Overall commercial leadership of the contract on a client-side basis
Strategic administration and oversight of NEC3 / NEC4 ECC contracts (Options A, C & E)
Leading resolution of high-value and complex compensation events, variations and claims
Providing authoritative commercial advice to senior client stakeholders
Ensuring robust cost control, forecasting accuracy and financial governance
Leading final account strategy and close-out activities
Oversight of legacy commercial issues, dispute avoidance and resolution
Ensuring commercial lessons learned are captured and embedded into AMP8 delivery
Setting the commercial strategy for new capital works
Oversight of cost planning, procurement, tender evaluation and contract award
Driving early commercial engagement to manage risk and optimise value
Supporting delivery teams through the full project lifecycle to final account
Line management, mentoring and development of Senior and Project QSs
Setting best practice standards for commercial management and reporting
Building a high-performing, collaborative commercial team
Supporting resource planning and capability development across the framework
Acting as the senior commercial interface with the client organisation
Chairing commercial meetings and contributing at programme level
Engaging with designers, contractors and third-party stakeholders
Supporting governance reviews, audits and assurance processes
Essential Requirements
Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying or Commercial Management
Chartered status (MRICS or equivalent) strongly preferred
Extensive experience in the water sector or regulated infrastructure
Deep, demonstrable expertise in NEC3 / NEC4 (Options A, C & E essential)
Proven leadership experience managing commercial teams
Strong background in AMP frameworks (AMP6/7/8 experience highly desirable)
Excellent commercial judgement with the ability to resolve complex issues decisively
Highly effective communicator with strong client-facing credibility
CSCS card required; Water Hygiene card desirable
What's on Offer
Competitive salary & package including a starting salary of £80,000 to £95,000 + 25 days annual leave, private healthcare, private pension and paid professional fees
A senior leadership role on a long-term, high-value water framework
Significant influence across both AMP7 close-out and AMP8 delivery
Opportunity to shape commercial strategy and best practice at programme level
Clear progression within a consultancy investing heavily in its infrastructure capability
Structured hybrid working model with consistency and visibilityThis role will suit a senior commercial professional who wants to operate at programme level, lead teams and act as a trusted advisor to a major UK water client during a pivotal AMP transition.
Contact me for a confidential discussion or further information.
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