Senior Quantity Surveyor - Real Estate

Big Fish Recruitment; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Big Fish Recruitment is seeking an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor for a leading Abu Dhabi real estate developer to oversee cost and commercial management across major projects.

The role requires 8–12+ years in QS/Commercial roles within UAE/GCC, strong knowledge of cost planning, procurement, and FIDIC contracts, and advanced Excel skills. You will drive cost control, tendering, and reporting, working with cross-disciplinary teams on complex developments.

Qualifications

• 8–12+ years of Quantity Surveying/commercial experience, UAE/GCC preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of cost planning, procurement, contract administration and final accounts.
• Experience with real estate, large-scale development projects (residential, mixed-use, hospitality).
• Knowledge of UAE market practices and FIDIC contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost planning, budgeting, forecasting and cost control across development projects.
• Prepare and review BOQs, cost estimates, tender documents, and commercial evaluations.
• Manage tendering and procurement activities, including bid analysis and contractor recommendations.
• Monitor project expenditure against budgets and provide regular commercial reports.
• Review interim payments, variations, claims, and final accounts.
• Identify commercial risks and opportunities for value engineering.
• Provide commercial input on contracts and changes, and support senior management decisions.

Skills

Cost planning

Procurement

Contract administration

Tendering

Cost control

Variations & claims

Financial reporting

Excel advanced

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying or related

MRICS or equivalent (advantage)

Job description

We are recruiting for a leading real estate developer in Abu Dhabi, seeking an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor to join their team. The role will oversee cost and commercial management across major development projects, covering cost planning, procurement, tendering, contract administration, cost control, variations, claims, and financial reporting throughout the project lifecycle. We are looking for a strong QS with solid UAE experience, ideally within large-scale real estate or development projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead cost planning, budgeting, forecasting, and cost control across development projects.
• Prepare and review BOQs, cost estimates, tender documents, and commercial evaluations.
• Manage tendering and procurement activities, including bid analysis and contractor recommendations.
• Monitor project expenditure against approved budgets and provide regular commercial reports and forecasts.
• Review and manage interim payment applications, variations, claims, and final accounts.
• Identify commercial risks, cost overruns, and opportunities for value engineering.
• Review contracts and provide commercial input on contractual obligations, risks, and changes.
• Work closely with Development, Design, Project Management, Procurement, Finance, Consultants, and Contractors.
• Support negotiations with contractors, consultants, and suppliers to achieve commercially favourable outcomes.
• Maintain accurate cost, commercial, and contractual records throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide commercial advice and recommendations to senior management to support project and investment decisions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• 8–12+ years of relevant Quantity Surveying/commercial experience, preferably within the UAE/GCC.
• Strong experience in real estate, residential, mixed-use, hospitality, villa communities, or large-scale development projects.
• Strong knowledge of cost planning, procurement, contract administration, variations, claims, and final accounts.
• Good understanding of FIDIC and other construction contracts.
• Strong knowledge of UAE construction market practices and commercial processes.
• Advanced Excel and experience with relevant cost management/QS software.
• MRICS or equivalent professional qualification is an advantage.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.