Senior Quantity Surveyor - Cost Management

AECOM Middle East Ltd; Abu Dhabi Emirate; On-site; AED 300,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM in Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE seeks a Senior Quantity Surveyor - Cost Management to lead cost planning, budgeting and commercial governance on complex construction projects. You will drive accurate forecasts, support procurement decisions, and ensure financial discipline across the project lifecycle.

The role emphasizes collaboration with engineers, project managers and procurement teams, with focus on cost control, risk management and value engineering to deliver profitable outcomes in the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or equivalent.
• Approximately 12–15 years of progressive experience in quantity surveying, cost estimation, project controls, or construction commercial management.
• Strong budgeting, financial forecasting, cost planning, procurement, and contract administration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and application of estimating systems, cost planning methodologies, and commercial procedures across projects.
• Prepare conceptual estimates, detailed cost plans, bid packages, and financial assessments for complex scopes.
• Perform quantity take-offs, measurement exercises, and material calculations from drawings and documentation.
• Analyse subcontractor bids and proposals to identify pricing differences, exclusions, and potential risks.
• Prepare clear commercial recommendations supporting value, competition, and procurement decisions.
• Establish project budgets and monitor expenditure against approved cost baselines.
• Identify cost variances early and recommend corrective actions to maintain financial performance.
• Develop accurate cost forecasts and maintain cost databases for future projects.
• Mentor junior quantity surveyors and improve estimating templates and workflows.

Skills

Quantity surveying

Cost management

Cost estimating

Cost planning

Project controls

Budget management

Financial forecasting

Quantity take-offs

Material take-offs

Cost analysis

Bid evaluation

Tender analysis

Subcontractor bid review

Cost benchmarking

Cost databases

Procurement

Contract administration

Variation management

Change management

Claims cost assessment

Final accounts

Value engineering

Risk assessment

Commercial reporting

Microsoft Excel

Estimating software

Project management software

BIM

ERP software

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or Quantity Surveying

Tools

BIM

ERP software

Estimating software

Project management software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Senior Quantity Surveyor - Cost Management Job Snapshot Role: Senior Quantity Surveyor - Cost Management Location: Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates Industry: Construction Function: Cost Estimating Experience: 12-15 years Job Type: Full-time Position Overview Senior Quantity Surveyor - Cost Management in Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates is a senior Construction opportunity for an experienced commercial professional with extensive expertise in quantity surveying, cost estimation, budgeting, procurement, contract administration, project controls, and financial forecasting. AECOM is hiring a senior quantity surveyor to lead cost planning activities, evaluate contractor pricing, strengthen financial control, manage project risk, and support commercially sound delivery across complex construction and engineering projects.

Job Details Country: United Arab Emirates City: Abu Dhabi Emirate Industry: Construction Function: Cost Estimating Salary: 25000-40000 Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer. Gender: Any Candidate Nationality: Any Job Type: Full-time

Role Context The Senior Quantity Surveyor will provide commercial and cost management leadership throughout the project lifecycle, from early estimating and procurement planning through construction, cost control, reporting, and close-out. The role requires accurate interpretation of scope, quantities, market pricing, contractual obligations, and project risk to ensure financial decisions are based on reliable information. Working with project managers, engineers, procurement teams, contractors, and senior stakeholders, the position will help protect project budgets, improve cost predictability, and identify commercial risks before they affect profitability. The role will also contribute to the development of junior quantity surveying staff and support consistent estimating and cost management practices across projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and application of estimating systems, cost planning methodologies, and commercial procedures across assigned projects.
• Prepare conceptual estimates, detailed cost plans, bid packages, and financial assessments for complex construction and engineering scopes.
• Perform quantity take-offs, measurement exercises, and material calculations using approved drawings and project documentation.
• Analyse subcontractor bids and commercial proposals to identify pricing differences, exclusions, qualifications, and potential financial risks.
• Prepare clear commercial recommendations that support value, competition, and informed procurement decisions.
• Establish project budgets and monitor expenditure against approved cost baselines throughout delivery.
• Identify cost variances early and recommend corrective actions to maintain financial performance.
• Develop accurate cost forecasts based on commitments, progress, procurement status, risk exposure, and remaining project scope.
• Maintain cost databases, historical pricing records, benchmarking information, and estimating references for future projects.
• Work closely with engineers and project managers to ensure cost plans accurately reflect scope, programme, and technical requirements.
• Prepare detailed cost reports, forecasts, management summaries, and commercial documentation for senior stakeholders.
• Support contract administration activities including valuations, variations, change management, claims-related cost reviews, and final account preparation.
• Coordinate procurement processes and ensure commercial activities comply with organizational procedures and applicable UAE requirements.
• Evaluate project risks and quantify potential cost exposure before recommending mitigation measures.
• Apply value engineering techniques to identify savings without compromising required performance or quality.
• Support commercial negotiations with contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and other project participants.
• Review construction market trends and incorporate current pricing intelligence into estimates and forecasts.
• Mentor junior quantity surveyors and estimating personnel in measurement, commercial analysis, reporting, and cost control practices.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of estimating templates, cost models, reporting systems, and commercial workflows.
• Maintain complete and traceable records supporting project cost decisions and contractual administration.

Ideal Profile

Ideal Profile Candidates should hold a Bachelor 's Degree in Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or an equivalent professional qualification and have approximately 12-15 years of progressive experience in quantity surveying, cost estimation, project controls, or construction commercial management. Advanced knowledge of budgeting, financial forecasting, cost planning, measurement, procurement, and contract administration is essential. Candidates should be comfortable analysing complex pricing information and converting commercial data into practical recommendations for project teams and senior management. Strong proficiency with estimating applications, project management systems, and Microsoft Excel is required. Experience using advanced spreadsheets for cost modelling, forecasting, benchmarking, and financial analysis will be particularly useful. Professional certification through RICS, AIQS, or an equivalent cost engineering or quantity surveying body will provide a strong advantage. Experience with BIM-enabled quantity workflows, integrated project delivery, ERP platforms, and project management information systems will further strengthen suitability. Previous work on major infrastructure or commercial developments in the Middle East is preferred, together with practical knowledge of UAE construction practices and local market conditions.

Skills Set

• Quantity surveying
• Cost management
• Cost estimating
• Cost planning
• Project controls
• Budget management
• Financial forecasting
• Quantity take-offs
• Material take-offs
• Cost analysis
• Bid evaluation
• Tender analysis
• Subcontractor bid review
• Cost benchmarking
• Cost databases
• Procurement
• Contract administration
• Variation management
• Change management
• Claims cost assessment
• Final accounts
• Value engineering
• Risk assessment
• Commercial reporting
• Microsoft Excel
• Estimating software
• Project management software
• BIM
• ERP software
• Project management information systems

Why Join Us

This role provides the opportunity to take a senior commercial position on significant construction and engineering projects in Abu Dhabi Emirate, where disciplined cost management can have a direct impact on profitability, procurement performance, risk control, and successful project delivery. AECOM offers exposure to major regional developments, multidisciplinary engineering teams, sophisticated project controls environments, digital estimating tools, and international commercial practices. The position provides an experienced quantity surveyor with a strong platform to deepen leadership responsibility, influence commercial strategy, mentor developing professionals, and progress toward senior cost management and commercial leadership roles.

About the Company

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting and professional services firm delivering planning, design, engineering, project management, cost management, and construction management services. Its multidisciplinary teams support buildings, transportation, water, energy, and environmental developments, helping public and private-sector clients deliver complex, sustainable, resilient, and commercially responsible projects.