The Managing Quantity Surveyor (Managing QS) is responsible for the end-to-end delivery of cost consultancy services across projects, ensuring accuracy, quality, compliance, and alignment with client requirements, in accordance with industry best practices and applicable local regulations.
Responsibilities
The Managing Quantity Surveyor (M.QS) plays a key role in leading and managing the team; accordingly, the M.QS shall be fully capable of performing the duties and responsibilities of both the Senior Quantity Surveyor (Sr. QS) and Quantity Surveyor (QS). Where required, the M.QS shall undertake the responsibilities of the Sr. QS and QS, including but not limited to the following:
- Lead, supervise, and mentor a team of Quantity Surveyors (Senior, Intermediate, Junior).
- Allocate project responsibilities and monitor deliverables against agreed timelines.
- Ensure adherence to company standards, templates, and best practices.
- Coordinate with Project Managers, Design Teams, and other disciplines.
2. Project Cost Management (Core Responsibility)
- Oversee and mandatorily review all: Cost Plans, Cost Estimates (Concept to Detailed Stage), Budgets and benchmarking exercises.
- Ensure alignment of cost plans with design development and client budget.
- Monitor project cost performance and advise on corrective actions.
- Prepare and review cash flow forecasts and cost reports.
- Manage and review (mandatory) cost control and value engineering exercises to optimize project value.
- Manage and mandatorily review: BOQ preparation (measurement accuracy & completeness), Tender documentation and pricing schedules
- Lead tender processes including: Tender clarifications, Tender analysis and comparison reports
- Provide technical cost recommendations to clients.
- Manage and review (mandatory) tender analysis, comparison, and recommendation reports.
- Negotiate and finalize Contracts and contract sums with contractors and suppliers.
- Ensure compliance with procurement procedures and client requirements.
4. Contract Administration
- Review (mandatory) and administer contracts (FIDIC or equivalent). Highlight any risk identified and informed to the client or necessary stake holders.
- Identify contractual risks and formally advise clients.
- Manage and mandatorily review: Variations and change management, Claims and EOT assessments (cost-related), Interim payment applications, Final accounts
- Maintain structured documentation for all contractual matters.
5. Client and Stakeholder Liaison
- Serve as the main QS point of contact for clients and consultants.
- Attend project and progress meetings to present cost and contractual matters.
- Provide commercial advice to clients, project managers, and senior management.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders.
- Prepare and review: Monthly cost reports, Cash flow forecasts, Project financial summaries
- Ensure all deliverables are reviewed, accurate, and client-compliant before submission.
- Maintain project cost databases and documentation.
- Present project financial status and commercial risks to senior management.
7. Risk and Value Management
- Identify and manage cost-related risks throughout the project life cycle.
- Conduct value engineering workshops to improve project efficiency.
- Advise on cost implications of design changes and project strategies.
8. Documentation
- Prepare and maintain comprehensive project cost files and records.
- Produce detailed monthly reports, cost summaries, and cash flow forecasts.
- Support the Commercial Manager in preparing executive summaries for senior management or clients.
- Maintain organized project files, including drawings, correspondence, and cost data.
- Ensure proper documentation of all cost-related activities for audit and reporting purposes.
- Contribute to the overall efficiency of the QS department by supporting team priorities.
9. Compliance and Standards
- Ensure adherence to contract conditions (FIDIC or equivalent).
- Apply standard industry practices and company procedures.
- Maintain ethical and professional standards in all project dealings.
10. Professional Development
- Keep updated on current market rates, construction methods, and materials.
- Comply with company procedures and professional standards (e.g., RICS, AIQS).
- Continuously improve technical and analytical skills under senior guidance.
11. Strategic and Departmental Support
- Support the Director / Head of QS / Commercial Manager in departmental planning, resource allocation, and business development.
- Participate in proposal preparation and fee bid submissions. (All proposals must be prepared in full compliance with client requirements. Director / Head of the department will provide only commercial figures; Managing QS must ensure the proposal documents, tables, and formats are ready for submission.)
- Ensure proposal submissions meet all client requirements before final delivery from admin.
- Implement standard QS procedures, templates, and best practices across all projects.
Accountability
- All pre-contract services (including Cost Plans, BOQs, contract preparation and review, tender analysis, etc.) shall be under the management and supervision of the Managing QS (M.QS).
- For all projects under the M.QS’s responsibility, ensure that BOQs are fully coordinated with drawings and specifications, with no omissions, discrepancies, or measurement errors (including measurement, BOQ preparation, final review, and submission in the client’s required format).
- Ensure full alignment and consistency between drawings, specifications, and BOQs at all stages, with zero discrepancies.
- As Managing QS, be capable of providing high-level cost advice and project briefings at any stage of the project.
- Be fully responsible for the quality, accuracy, and completeness of all project deliverables.
Requirements
- Diploma in Quantity Surveying or Engineering (Civil /MEP)
- Bachelor’s Degree in Quantity Surveying or Engineering (Civil /MEP)
- MRICS, MAIQS (CQS), or an equivalent professional certification is preferred. If not already obtained, it shall be achieved within two (2) years from the date of joining.
- Minimum of 10 -15 years in the related field.
- Proven experience in tendering and Design & Build environments.
- Strong knowledge of FIDIC contracts & Method of Measurements.
- Extensive understanding of building pathology, construction technology, and regulatory requirements.