Associate Director- Quantity Surveyor

Tetra Tech; Lichfield; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Tetra Tech is seeking an Associate Director to lead our West Midlands cost consultancy team from Birmingham. You will own delivery across large residential and property projects, oversee commercial operations, and drive growth with innovative, carbon-conscious solutions.

The role blends leadership, technical excellence, and client engagement with a hybrid office model (2–3 days in the office) and opportunities to influence regional and national projects.

Qualifications

• Chartered (RICS/CIOB) or equivalent experience with a strong track record in major project delivery.
• Proficient in cost planning software (e.g. CostX) and Microsoft tools.
• Experienced in contract management, stakeholder engagement, and leading technical teams.
• Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-performing teams and shape project success with strategic cost advice.
• Administer NEC and JCT contracts and lead value engineering workshops.
• Provide procurement strategy and risk management insight.
• Drive business development and support regional growth initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Cost management

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial strategy

Contract management

Project leadership

Education

Chartered (RICS/CIOB) or equivalent

Tools

CostX

Microsoft Office

Job description

Join Tetra Tech's high-performing Cost Consultancy team and play a pivotal role in delivering complex, high-value projects while driving innovation, efficiency, and carbon-conscious solutions.

Purpose & Scope of the Role

As an Associate Director, you will lead and grow our commercial team in the West Midlands, based in Birmingham. Reporting to the Regional Director, you will operate at the heart of a multidisciplinary technical environment, delivering strategic cost consultancy across large-scale residential and property projects.

You will take ownership of project delivery, oversee commercial operations, and contribute to business growth. This role blends leadership, technical excellence, and client engagement, with a strong focus on innovation, digital tools, and sustainable outcomes.

Your Impact in this Position

You will shape project success by leading high-performing teams, guiding complex cost strategies, and influencing key design and commercial decisions. Acting as a trusted advisor to clients and stakeholders, you will drive value, manage risk, and support the development of future talent within the team.

Core Capabilities

• Leadership & Team Development: Lead, mentor, and grow a team of Cost Managers and foster a culture of continuous learning and technical excellence
• Technical Cost Management: Deliver end-to-end cost management services on major (£50m+) projects and develop complex cost plans using CostX or similar tools
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with clients, design teams, and contractors and lead meetings and provide clear, strategic cost advice
• Commercial & Business Strategy: Drive business development and support regional growth initiatives and contribute to financial performance, including P&L reporting
• Project & Contract Expertise Administer NEC and JCT contracts and lead value engineering workshops. Provide procurement strategy and risk management insight

Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Chartered (RICS/CIOB) or equivalent experience, with a strong track record in major project delivery. Proficient in cost planning software (e.g. CostX) and Microsoft tools. Experienced in contract management, stakeholder engagement, and leading technical teams. Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills are essential.

Working Environment

This role is based in Birmingham with a hybrid working model, typically 2-3 days in the office. You will collaborate across multidisciplinary teams with flexibility to support project and client needs. Occasional travel may be required.

Why Join Tetra Tech?

Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services working across the full project lifecycle worldwide. We have a wide range of expertise across our teams, providing a global support network with a personalised approach to client relationships to better understand where we can add value. We provide a collaborative environment that supports individual performance, innovation, and creativity.

We support public and private sector clients on local, national, and international projects to deliver sustainable and resilient solutions. Our operations in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands include more than 6,000 employees who are Leading with Science to solve our clients' most complex problems.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day-to-day role