Vacancy Summary
Job Title: Senior Quantity Surveyor
Job Type: Permanent
Job Ref: #1365
Location: Essex
Start Date: ASAP
Salary: c£75k-£85k basic (DOE) plus competitive package inc car or allowance, healthcare, pension, performance bonus etc.
Company & Project
An award winning Main Contractor operating across Essex is looking for a Senior Quantity Surveyor to lead a c£15m New Build project currently in the 2nd stage and moving to site in November 2026.
Our client has a busy order book and especially in the local market across multiple sectors including Education.
Duties & Responsibilities
The successful candidate will take responsibility for commercial functions during the 2nd stage including:
* Supply Chain Procurement: Lead the end‑to‑end procurement of work packages. This includes defining scopes, identifying suitable subcontractors, and tender reconciliations.
* Cost Planning: Manage the project budget as the design progresses from RIBA Stage 3 to 4.
* Value Engineering: Proactively identify cost‑saving opportunities and alternative construction methods to align the design with the clients budget without compromising quality.
* Risk Management: Quantify commercial risks.
* Design Liaison: Coordinate with the design team, managing subcontractor design fees and liabilities.
* 2nd‑Stage Negotiation: Act as the commercial lead in transitioning the project to the main contract, negotiating preliminaries, overheads, and profit to secure a fair and profitable Second Stage award. Following successful commercial delivery when the project moves to on‑site delivery, manage all daily commercial management functions, including:
o Measurement & valuations.
o Applications for payment.
o Reconciling accounts.
o Dealing with subcontract orders and enquiries, through to practical completion of the project.
o Settling final accounts.
* Previous experience on projects £10m+ as Number 1 QS is essential, along with working on 2‑stage projects/with PCSAs.
Desirable Experience
* Minimum 7‑10 years+ experience as a QS working for a Main Contractor.
* Excellent negotiation skills and previous experience procuring subcontractors.
* Experience working with Pre‑construction services agreements (PCSA) is essential for this position.
* Previous roles: Senior Quantity Surveyor OR Project QS OR Quantity Surveyor OR Commercial Manager OR Senior Cost Manager.
Qualifications & Skills
* Degree in Quantity Surveying or Construction Management or comparable qualification including HNC, BTEC, NVQ or MSc.
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