Job description
Role: Principal Quantity Surveyor
Salary: Grade K - £46,142 - £49,282 per year
Location: Derby
Hours: 37
Closing Date: 30/052026
Contract Type: Permanent
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Principal Quantity Surveyor to play a key role in delivering a diverse portfolio of construction and property projects that directly support public services and community infrastructure. Working within a collaborative and forward-thinking property and commercial team, the Principal Quantity Surveyor will contribute to the successful financial management and delivery of projects ranging from refurbishments and maintenance works through to major capital developments.
As a Principal Quantity Surveyor, you will work closely with multidisciplinary professionals, supporting the delivery of high-quality, value-for-money projects while helping shape best practice across commercial and asset management activities. This role offers the chance to influence strategic decision-making, develop strong client relationships and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the organisation’s property portfolio.
This role offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced Principal Quantity Surveyor to work on a varied and meaningful portfolio of projects that support local communities. The position provides exposure to projects across the council’s property portfolio, including refurbishment, maintenance, improvements and new developments.
Who We Are
Here at Derby City Council, we’re dedicated to delivering nearly 250 first-class services to citizens and businesses in the heart of the Midlands. People are at the centre of all that we do, and we have an outstanding track record of recruiting and developing talented individuals by providing them with varied and fulfilling career opportunities. Find out more about what it’s like to work for us.
What We Offer
You too could be part of something brilliant by becoming a colleague at Derby City Council; in addition to making a difference to the lives of people across the city, you’ll also receive:
• Flexible work/life balance scheme
• Hybrid working
• Modern office environment
• Continued professional development opportunities & career conversations
• 27 days annual leave (rising to 32 days after 5 years' service), plus bank holidays
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Team Derby Rewards – retail and leisure discounts
• Tusker Car Benefit Scheme
• Cycle2Work Scheme & free cycle training
• Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Calendar and Support
• Access to our Equality Employee Networks – LGBTQ+, Disabled Employee Network & Carers and our Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic Employee Support Network and Neurodiversity Network
• Support for colleagues who are carers
The Opportunity
In the role of Principal Quantity Surveyor, here’s an example of what you’ll be doing to make an impact:
• Lead the financial management of construction and building projects, ensuring they are delivered within agreed budgets and provide value for money.
• Prepare cost estimates, tender documentation and financial reports to support the successful planning and delivery of projects.
• Manage procurement processes and support the selection and appointment of contractors, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and best practice.
• Monitor project costs throughout delivery, including valuations, variations and final accounts, providing clear financial oversight to project teams and clients.
• Work closely with surveyors, designers, project managers and contractors to ensure projects are coordinated and delivered efficiently.
• Provide professional commercial advice to support decision making on construction and property projects.
- Contribute to the improvement of commercial processes and support the effective management of the organisation’s property investment and maintenance programmes
About You
To be successful in this role, you’ll ideally have…
• A degree in Quantity Surveying or a closely related construction discipline.
• Significant experience working in a Quantity Surveying or commercial management role within construction, property or building projects.
• Proven experience managing project costs, including preparing cost plans, tender documentation, valuations and final accounts.
• Strong knowledge of construction procurement processes and contract management.
• Experience working across a range of building works such as refurbishments, maintenance programmes, improvements or new build projects.
• Ability to monitor and report on project finances, ensuring projects remain within agreed budgets and deliver value for money.
• Ability to provide commercial advice and technical input to multidisciplinary project teams to support successful project delivery.
• Good communication and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and build effective professional relationships.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret financial and technical information to support decision making.
Confident using IT systems and software such as Microsoft Office and other digital tools to manage project and asset information
Next Steps
If you would like to apply for this vacancy via an