Highways Senior Quantity Surveyor

Carrington West; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in the United Kingdom, particularly in Edinburgh, is seeking a Senior Highways Quantity Surveyor. This senior-level role requires extensive experience in civil engineering, focusing on the commercial management of highways projects. The role includes managing budgets, forecasting, and leading junior teams while maintaining strong client relationships. Ideal candidates will possess a BSc in Quantity Surveying and a strong understanding of NEC contracts. The position offers competitive salary and benefits, including a car allowance.

Benefits

Car allowance

Additional benefits

Qualifications

• Significant post-qualified experience as a Quantity Surveyor within civil engineering or highways infrastructure.
• Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts; experience using CEMAR is highly desirable.
• Experience in self-delivery or principal contractor environments is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and management of cost estimates, budgets, and forecasts.
• Maintain full commercial responsibility from tender stage to final account.
• Monitor project expenditure and implement cost control measures.
• Produce and present financial reports to senior management.
• Manage Compensation Events and ensure contract compliance.
• Act as a senior point of contact for clients and stakeholders.
• Lead and mentor junior quantity surveyors.

Skills

Leadership and mentoring

Strong commercial awareness

Integrity and professionalism

Proactive problem-solving

Client focus

Education

BSc in Quantity Surveying

Tools

CEMAR

NEC contracts

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Senior Highways Quantity Surveyor
Location: Edinburgh
Salary: £65,000 - £70,000 + car allowance & benefits

Purpose of the Role: This is a senior-level opportunity for an experienced Quantity Surveyor to take a leading role in the commercial management of highways projects and frameworks. The Senior Quantity Surveyor will provide strong commercial leadership, mentor and develop junior team members, and work closely with operational and client teams to ensure robust commercial control, profitability, and long-term client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation, review, and management of detailed cost estimates, budgets, and forecasts.
• Maintain full commercial responsibility from tender stage through to final account settlement.
• Monitor project expenditure, analyse variances, and implement cost control and value engineering measures.
• Manage work in progress to achieve and maintain accurate cash flow forecasts.
• Produce, review, and present accurate monthly CVRs and financial reports to senior management.
• Proactively manage and agree Compensation Events (CEs), maintaining accurate CE registers via CEMAR or equivalent systems.
• Oversee the preparation and administration of contract documentation, including bills of quantities and scopes of work.
• Provide expert oversight of NEC contracts, ensuring compliance with contractual, legal, and company requirements.
• Lead the management of variations, claims, and dispute resolution where required.
• Ensure timely applications for payment and responses to client queries to protect cash flow and commercial position.
• Act as a senior commercial point of contact for clients, consultants, and key stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative client relationships while protecting company commercial interests.
• Represent the business at client meetings, commercial reviews, and progress meetings.
• Ensure a professional, solutions-focused approach to client and stakeholder challenges.
• Lead, mentor, and develop assistant and intermediate quantity surveyors.
• Promote best practice, commercial awareness, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing commercial team culture.

Qualifications & Experience

Education:
• BSc in Quantity Surveying or equivalent (RICS accreditation desirable but not essential).

Experience:
• Significant post-qualified experience as a Quantity Surveyor within civil engineering or highways infrastructure.
• Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts; experience using CEMAR is highly desirable.
• Experience working within self-delivery or principal contractor environments is advantageous.

Personal Attributes

• Confident, professional, and commercially astute.
• Strong leadership and mentoring capability.
• High levels of integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
• Proactive, solutions-driven, and client-focused.

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