Graduate Quantity Surveyor - Ruislip and Reading - 2027

OCU; Ruislip; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

OCU seeks a high-potential graduate to join its Commercial team, based in either Ruislip or Reading. You will support the commercial management and delivery of infrastructure and utility projects, working with Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers, Engineers and Operations teams across the project lifecycle.

You will gain hands-on experience from tender through final account, helping manage costs, monitor budgets and contribute to commercial decisions that drive project success.

Qualifications

• Degree in Quantity Surveying or Commercial Management with a minimum 2:2.
• Full UK driving licence would be beneficial.
• Experience through placements, internships, university projects or part‑time roles in construction/infrastructure/commercial environments would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support the management of costs and budgets across infrastructure projects.
• Contribute to procurement activities and commercial decision-making.
• Assist with valuations, subcontractor accounts, and variations/compensation events.
• Produce cost reports and support forecasting activities.
• Develop understanding of contract administration, cost control, risk management and reporting.

Skills

Analytical

Numerical

Communication

Problem-solving

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying/Commercial Management

Job description

Description

You'll play a key role in supporting the commercial management and successful delivery of infrastructure and utility projects across OCU. Based in either Ruislip or Reading, you'll work as part of our Commercial team, helping to ensure projects are delivered efficiently, profitably and in accordance with contractual requirements. Working alongside experienced Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers, Engineers and Operational teams, you'll gain valuable hands‑on experience across all aspects of commercial project delivery.

Department: Regulated Power

Location: Ruislip

Description

You'll play a key role in supporting the commercial management and successful delivery of infrastructure and utility projects across OCU. Based in either Ruislip or Reading, you'll work as part of our Commercial team, helping to ensure projects are delivered efficiently, profitably and in accordance with contractual requirements. Working alongside experienced Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers, Engineers and Operational teams, you'll gain valuable hands‑on experience across all aspects of commercial project delivery.

You'll gain exposure to a wide range of quantity surveying activities, supporting projects from tender stage through to final account. Working on live infrastructure and utility projects, you'll help manage costs, monitor budgets, support procurement activities and contribute to commercial decision‑making that drives successful project outcomes.

As part of the role, you'll assist with preparing valuations, reviewing subcontractor accounts, managing compensation events and variations, producing cost reports and supporting forecasting activities. You'll gain valuable experience in contract administration, cost control, risk management and commercial reporting, while developing an understanding of the financial and contractual mechanisms that underpin major infrastructure projects.

The role will involve collaboration with both office‑based and site teams, providing practical exposure to the full project lifecycle and insight into how commercial decisions influence project performance. As your skills and confidence grow, you'll take on increasing responsibility, develop strong commercial and stakeholder management skills, and become an important contributor to the successful delivery of OCU's projects.

Perfect for

Graduates who are passionate about commercial management, construction and infrastructure and want to build a career at the heart of project delivery. You'll be analytical, organised and detail‑oriented, with strong numerical, communication and problem‑solving skills and an interest in understanding how projects are managed from both a commercial and operational perspective.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with financial data, negotiating solutions and collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders to achieve successful project outcomes. You'll be keen to develop your commercial awareness, contract management expertise and financial acumen while working alongside experienced professionals on complex and rewarding projects.

You'll enjoy balancing detailed analysis with practical project involvement, helping to deliver critical infrastructure while ensuring commercial performance and value are maximised throughout the project lifecycle.

Entry Requirements

You'll need (or be on track to achieve) a degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or a related discipline with a minimum 2:2 classification.

Due to the nature of the role and travel between offices and project sites, a full UK driving licence would be beneficial.

Relevant experience through placements, internships, university projects or part‑time employment within construction, infrastructure, utilities or commercial environments would be advantageous.

Training Programme

Our 2 year Graduate Programme combines structured training with hands‑on experience, giving you real responsibility from day one. You'll learn directly alongside industry experts in a collaborative, supportive environment. We invest in your continuous professional development, giving you the tools, confidence and clear progression path to build a long term career within OCU.

To ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to join our team, please inform us if you require any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment and interview process is, by emailing [e-mail].