Graduate Assistant Surveyor (Cost Management)

Gardiner and Theobald LLP; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Gardiner and Theobald LLP in Glasgow is seeking a Graduate Assistant Surveyor (Cost Management) to support cost planning, tender analysis, and cash flow forecasting. The role forms part of the Accelerate Programme, providing mentoring and structured training toward RICS membership.

You will measure drawings, prepare cost plans and documentation, and gain practical experience across projects while developing commercial and leadership skills.

Qualifications

• 2:1 degree or above required.
• Excellent working knowledge of current IT systems.
• Strong understanding of client care and relationship building.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Trustworthy, reliable and professional in approach.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload.
• Ability to work efficiently and deliver to deadlines.
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Proactive, adaptable and flexible when responding to different situations.
• Demonstrates dedication, commitment and a positive attitude.
• Eagerness to learn and continually develop professionally.
• Genuine interest in the construction and property industry.

Responsibilities

• Measuring drawings provided by the design team, either manually or using measurement software such as CostX.
• Using measurements and an understanding of construction methods to prepare cost plans that establish project budgets for clients.
• Compiling contract documentation, including drawing registers, preliminaries and pricing documents for tendering purposes.
• Receiving tender submissions and preparing tender analysis reports and clarification schedules for contractor responses.
• Reviewing and comparing tender returns to support recommendations on contractor appointments.
• Preparing cash flow forecasts for clients.
• Attending site visits and undertaking valuations of completed works, producing the required analysis and documentation to facilitate payment in accordance with contract requirements.
• Supporting value engineering exercises to identify opportunities for cost savings and improved value.
• Attending project meetings and site meetings, including design team meetings and contractor progress meetings, depending on the project stage.
• Communicating with a range of stakeholders, including suppliers, contractors, design teams and clients, and providing support on cost-related matters and project variations.

Skills

Attention to detail

Cost estimation

Communication

Team collaboration

Proactive learning

IT literacy

Education

2:1 degree or above

Tools

CostX

Job description

Graduate Assistant Surveyor (Cost Management)

Application Deadline: 31 January 2027

Department: QS

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: G&T Glasgow

Description

Summary The role of a cost manager is to manage the cost and legal processes of a construction project. As a Cost Manager, your primary responsibility is to help ensure projects are delivered within the client's approved budget.

This includes preparing cost plans, forecasts, cash flow projections, contract documentation and financial reports, while providing clients with clear and accurate advice throughout the project lifecycle. Effective communication and strong attention to detail are key to the role, enabling Cost Managers to keep clients informed of project finances and proactively manage associated risks.

Role Overview As an Assistant Surveyor, you will spend 2-2.5 years working towards Chartered Membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) while gaining valuable practical experience required across a range of projects to give you the expert knowledge of construction costs and contracts.

You will join the G&T Accelerate Programme, combining real responsibility, expert mentoring and accredited training to help you gain a professional qualification and accelerate your career, ensuring you can relate the theoretical aspects of your studies to actual work experience. Over the course of the programme, you will gain valuable experience across a variety of projects while developing the technical, commercial and leadership skills required to become a successful Surveyor.

Working as part of a collaborative team, you will support your line manager and colleagues in the delivery of project work. You will be expected to take ownership of tasks, work with an appropriate level of autonomy and recognise when to seek guidance to achieve the best outcomes for clients and projects.

You will be building a solid knowledge base of your role, the firm and the industry, and how they all fit together.

General Responsibilities

Working with your line manager the role will typically include the following:

• Measuring drawings provided by the design team, either manually or using measurement software such as CostX.
• Using measurements and an understanding of construction methods to prepare cost plans that establish project budgets for clients.
• Compiling contract documentation, including drawing registers, preliminaries and pricing documents for tendering purposes.
• Receiving tender submissions and preparing tender analysis reports and clarification schedules for contractor responses.
• Reviewing and comparing tender returns to support recommendations on contractor appointments.
• Preparing cash flow forecasts for clients.
• Attending site visits and undertaking valuations of completed works, producing the required analysis and documentation to facilitate payment in accordance with contract requirements.
• Supporting value engineering exercises to identify opportunities for cost savings and improved value.
• Attending project meetings and site meetings, including design team meetings and contractor progress meetings, depending on the project stage.
• Communicating with a range of stakeholders, including suppliers, contractors, design teams and clients, and providing support on cost-related matters and project variations.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Achieved or expected to achieve a 2:1 degree or above.
• Excellent working knowledge of current IT systems.
• Strong understanding of the importance of client care and relationship building.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Trustworthy, reliable and professional in approach.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload effectively.
• Ability to work efficiently and deliver to deadlines.
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Proactive, adaptable and flexible when responding to different situations.
• Demonstrates dedication, commitment and a positive attitude.
• Eagerness to learn and continually develop professionally.
• Genuine interest in the construction and property industry.

Programme Duration

Cognate Degree Holders: 2 Years

Non-Cognate Degree Holders: 2.5 Years

Non-cognate degree holders will be supported in completing a RICS accredited MSc alongside their structured training.

Please note the following prior to applying for this role:

1.0 Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor or support work visa applications for Early Talent roles. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of their employment.

2.0 We recruit on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close applications early if all available positions have been filled before the advertised closing date.

3.0 Due to the high volume of applications received for our Early Talent opportunities, we can only consider one application per candidate per academic year. If multiple applications are submitted, only the first application received will be reviewed and progressed through the recruitment process.