NEC Contracts Manager (Quantity Surveyor)
We’re working with a rail operator looking for an experienced NEC Contracts Manager / Quantity Surveyor to oversee the commercial and contractual side of upgrade and renewal projects across their estate. This role is ideal for someone who genuinely understands NEC3 and NEC4 and enjoys being the trusted commercial voice in project and engineering teams.
Key Responsibilities
* NEC contract ownership: Take day-to-day responsibility for live NEC3 and NEC4 contracts (including A, C & E options), ensuring instructions, notices and assessments are issued correctly and on time.
* Commercial control & forecasting: Build and maintain robust cost reports, forecasts and cash flows; track actuals against budget and highlight variances early, with clear recommendations.
* Change & compensation management: Lead the commercial response to change – from identifying its impact through to valuing and agreeing compensation events – while keeping risk registers and registers of change up to date.
* Supply chain & payment management: Review contractor and subcontractor applications, agree valuations, and certify payments in line with contractual mechanisms and internal governance.
* Project team support: Work closely with project managers, engineers and external partners, attending progress and commercial meetings and providing clear, pragmatic advice on contract and cost issues.
Key Skills & Experience
* NEC contract specialist: Strong, practical experience working with NEC3 and NEC4 on live projects, including drafting and responding to notices, managing early warnings and dealing with compensation events.
* Relevant qualification: Degree (or equivalent) in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or a related discipline; professional accreditation (or progression towards) RICS / ICES / similar is a strong advantage.
* Rail / infrastructure experience: Background in rail, civils or major infrastructure projects, with a good grasp of safety, governance and client-side commercial processes.
* Commercial & analytical capability: Confident handling numbers, from cost plans to final accounts; able to interrogate data, build clear reports and negotiate outcomes with contractors and stakeholders.
* Communication & tools: Strong written and verbal communication skills, comfortable producing clear contract correspondence; proficient in Excel and familiar with cost or contract management systems.
What’s in it for you?
* Influence and ownership: A central role in shaping how rail projects are delivered, with real visibility and the opportunity to become the “go-to” NEC expert for the property and infrastructure portfolio.
* Professional growth: Support for ongoing development (including professional chartership), exposure to a varied pipeline of works, and the chance to step into broader commercial leadership over time.
* Balanced package & environment: Competitive salary and benefits, a mix of office, site and home-based working, and a collaborative culture where commercial input is valued from the outset rather than as an afterthought.
If you’re a qualified QS or NEC contracts specialist with solid NEC3/NEC4 experience in rail or infrastructure, and you want more ownership and influence, this could be an excellent next move.