2027 UK Graduate Quantity Surveying Career Path

Mott MacDonald; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Biannual salary reviews

Pension matching

Life assurance 4x basic salary

Income protection

Flexible benefits

Annual bonus schemes

Employee ownership

Job summary

Mott MacDonald invites graduates to join a team redefining infrastructure and property. As a Graduate Quantity Surveyor, you’ll support capital expenditure management and cost forecasting across varied projects.

You’ll learn through a collaborative, inclusive environment and gain hands-on experience across project lifecycles. You’ll develop professional judgment, embrace AI-enabled practices, and contribute to cost planning, procurement, valuation and reporting while growing your career within a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying or equivalent with RICS accreditation.
• Interest in digital tools, data and AI to support cost management.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and maintain professional judgement.

Responsibilities

• Work across all phases of project delivery from design to final settlement.
• Accurately manage capital expenditure and assess financial impact.
• Gain exposure to contract reviews, commercial strategy and settlements.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure financial integrity.
• Support clients across Environment, Defence, Nuclear, Oil & Gas, Property, Transport.

Skills

Curious

Proactive

Effective communication

Written accuracy

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelors in Quantity Surveying (RICS accredited)

Job description

Before making an application, please browse all graduate opportunities available as we will only accept one application per candidate.Once you have made an application you will not be able to make changes to your selection or make a new application.The exception is if we open new vacancies in the new year.

We will close for applications on Friday 16th October, with in-person assessment centres being held during the first week of December across four locations - further details in application form.

Application process

• Online strengths-based assessment
• Application form

CVs and cover letters are not required as part of the application process. Candidates will be assessed through a short motivation-based online interview, followed by half-day in-person assessment centre.

Start your career with a global, employee-owned consultancy where your work can make a real difference. At Mott MacDonald, you'll work alongside experts, contribute to meaningful projects, and have the support, learning opportunities, and experience needed to grow your career from day one.

Job Description

Join us and be part of a team that’s redefining the future of infrastructure and property.

As a Graduate Quantity Surveyor, you’ll play a vital role in managing capital investment and forecasting financial impacts across a wide range of projects. From day one, you’ll be supported by a collaborative and inclusive team, gaining hands‑on experience throughout the full lifecycle of project delivery.

The role requires a Quantity Surveyor who demonstrates professional curiosity and competence in the appropriate use of digital tools, data and emerging artificial intelligence to support cost management, commercial advice and informed decision‑making. The post‑holder will be expected to understand how technology can enhance core Quantity Surveying activities - such as cost planning, procurement, valuation and commercial reporting - while exercising sound professional judgement and acting in accordance with RICS standards, ethics and guidance. This includes a willingness to continuously develop knowledge of digital and AI‑enabled practices that improve efficiency, accuracy and client outcomes, without compromising independence, transparency or professional accountability.

We believe in nurturing talent, celebrating achievements, and creating opportunities for growth. You’ll be empowered to contribute meaningfully, learn continuously, and help deliver projects that make a real difference to society.

Successful graduates will begin their careers within one of our portfolios and will have opportunities to broaden their experience through collaboration across projects, sectors and portfolios as they develop. Below is an overview of our portfolios:

Buildings:

is a UK and international team delivering construction solutions across public and private sectors. We collaborate with our ecosystem to deliver commercially viable, technically sound outcomes that maximise social, economic, and environmental value for our clients.

Defence and Energy:

Strive to be our clients' delivery partner of choice, and we are proud to say that our portfolio covers most, if not all, of the major UK clients in both the defence and energy sectors, delivering many of the nation's strategic infrastructure major programmes.

Water and Environment

team works across the UK public and private sectors, providing expert project, programme, commercial management, business transformation, and health and safety services to ensure safe and successful outcomes. You will be involved in projects that improve environmental quality and increase resilience to climate change on the water sector.

Transport

team, including aviation, ports, highways and rail, understand that stakeholder and societal expectations are rising. Projects must now be delivered faster, more cost‑effectively, and with greater sustainability - while maintaining zero tolerance for unsafe practices. We proactively identify emerging needs and adapt our services to meet them.

Your Role & Responsibilities:

• Work across all phases of project delivery, from early design to final settlement.
• Accurately manage capital expenditure and assess the financial impact of infrastructure and property assets on client business models.
• Gain exposure to contract reviews, commercial strategy, and construction settlements.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure financial integrity and project success.
• Support clients across sectors including Environment & Water, Defence, Nuclear, Oil & Gas, Property, and Transportation.
• Build trusted relationships with stakeholders, promoting transparency, accountability, and shared success.

What You’ll Gain

Supportive Mentorship: Learn from experienced professionals who care about your development.

Inclusive Culture: Be part of a team that celebrates diversity and values every voice.

Wellbeing Focus: Work in an environment that prioritises your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.

Societal Impact: Contribute to projects that improve infrastructure, enhance sustainability, and benefit communities.

Candidate Specification

At Mott MacDonald, we’re looking for curious, motivated graduates who want to make a real difference. Join our purpose-driven teams where your ideas matter, your growth is supported, and your work enhances the world we live in.

To be eligible for this opportunity, you will haveless than 12 months’ relevant experience (excluding placements) and have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree (obtained no earlier than 2025) or expected to achieve one in Quantity Surveying, or a similar subject that is accredited with RICS. Further information can be found on the RICS website: RICS

In your application, you should aim to demonstrate your genuine interest in Quantity Surveying and in joining Mott MacDonald. You can do this by highlighting any relevant experience or interests - such as modules you've studied, previous work experience, or any research you've undertaken about our company, values, and projects.

We personally review every completed application form we receive as this part of our selection process is entirely human led – we do not use AI tools at this stage and kindly ask you not to either. We want you to answer each application question with authenticity so we can get to know the real you. Joining us as a graduate is your opportunity to shape your own story.

We are looking for graduates with the following strengths:

• Proactively takes initiative to complete tasks efficiently and independently.
• Communicates effectively and clearly with clients and colleagues.
• Delivers high quality written work with strong attention to detail and clarity.
• Demonstrates a structured and analytical approach to problem solving.

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024.

Our ethos is to develop, train and retain our graduates and therefore we are looking for a long‑term relationship with our graduates. For this reason, we cannot accept applications from candidates who would be working under the Graduate visa route or other time‑limited visas, (irrespective of visa duration), due to their temporary nature and the requirement for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route in future.

We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

AI Usage

At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people‑first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

We want you to feel supported and able to perform at your best throughout our recruitment process. If there is anything we can do to make applying or interviewing with us more accessible, please contact us at [e-mail] and we'll be happy to discuss how we can help.

About Your Development

A graduate position should be more than just a job. We know this and so do you. That’s why with our graduate roles we aim to give you the experience and technical knowledge you need to progress your career. From the moment you join us, you’ll receive the training you need. You will be assigned a mentor, who will guide you to meet the objectives of your professional training needs. You will join our three‑year early careers soft skills development programme – Accelerating your Future, which is designed to give you the skills and tools necessary for a long‑lasting successful career here at Mott MacDonald.

Our social side

Being part of Mott MacDonald means more than just work; there’s a huge range of fun and exciting things that you can get involved in.

From the moment you join us, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your social and professional network, whether it’s meeting other graduates or joining forces with other members of staff from around the company at our annual sports day. Each of our offices have a sports and social committee which will give you the chance to be part of a variety of sports, social and charity events. We’re committed to promoting a strong culture of social responsibility and encourage our staff to play active roles in the local community.

It’s worth noting that sports and social committees tend to vary from office to office, so as well as getting involved in what’s already on offer, don’t be afraid to suggest new events or initiatives that you think could be a great addition. It doesn’t stop there. From your first day, you’ll have access to Perks at Work, giving you discounts on cinema tickets, travel, utilities and much more, helping you make the most of our employee benefits.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well‑being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

We offer some fantastic benefits including

Financial wellbeing

• Biannual salary reviews: We believe hard work should be recognised and rewarded. To support your development and progression, you'll be eligible for salary reviews twice a year during your first three years with us, subject to successfully completing your probation period.
• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long‑term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long‑term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• 33 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.