Managing Quantity Surveyor

Randstad Construction and Property; Norwich; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

High pension scheme

Travel allowance

Private medical insurance

Annual leave

Job summary

Randstad UK is seeking an experienced Managing Quantity Surveyor to take full commercial ownership of a major highways and infrastructure project. You will lead the site commercial team, drive profitability, manage risk and ensure robust financial control across the asset.

Reporting to the Commercial Director, you will shape contract administration, cost reporting and forecasting, while steering procurement and value engineering to optimise programme and cost outcomes.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or Civil Engineering.
• Chartered status (MRICS, MCICES) is highly advantageous.
• Proven commercial management track record as an MQS delivering major highways or civil infrastructure.
• Mastery of NEC contract mechanisms (target cost frameworks).
• Outstanding commercial acumen, negotiation skills and team leadership capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Formulate and execute the commercial delivery strategy to protect margins across all phases.
• Lead, manage and mentor the site commercial team (Senior QSs, Project QSs, assistants).
• Oversee contract administration, compensation events, early warnings, and notices (NEC).
• Oversee CVRs, monthly cost reporting, cash flow management and forecasting.
• Lead procurement strategy for key packages and manage supply chain performance.
• Drive change control processes and value engineering to optimise cost and programme.
• Act as the primary commercial contact for client representatives.

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying

MRICS/MCICES (advantageous)

Job description

Job Title: Managing Quantity Surveyor (MQS) - Highways & Infrastructure

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Role Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an accomplished and commercially astute Managing Quantity Surveyor (MQS) to take full commercial ownership of a major, high-profile highways scheme. Working as part of a market-leading civil engineering principal contractor, you will head up the commercial function, driving profitability, risk mitigation, and robust financial control across this critical infrastructure asset.

Reporting into the Commercial Director, you will provide strategic direction and operational leadership to the site commercial team, championing best-practice contract administration and fostering collaborative, transparent relationships with the client.

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial Leadership & Strategy: Formulate and execute the commercial delivery strategy, protecting project margins and driving cost efficiency across all phases.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, manage, and mentor a high-performing site commercial team (Senior QSs, Project QSs, and assistants), establishing clear objectives and professional development paths.
• Contract Administration: Serve as the contractual lead, overseeing the proactive administration of the contract (predominantly NEC Option C/Target Cost or Option A), including compensation events, early warnings, and contractual notices.
• Financial Reporting & Control: Oversee timely and accurate Cost Value Reconciliations (CVRs), monthly cost reporting, accurate cash flow management, and project forecasting.
• Procurement & Subcontractor Management: Lead the procurement strategy for key packages, conducting strategic negotiations and managing supply chain performance and dispute avoidance.
• Change Control & Value Engineering: Drive strict change control processes and lead value engineering initiatives to optimize cost and program efficiency.
• Stakeholder Management: Act as the primary commercial point of contact for the client's commercial representatives, maintaining open and collaborative dialogue.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Qualifications: Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or Civil Engineering. Chartered status (MRICS, MCICES) is highly advantageous.
• Experience: Proven commercial management track record as an MQS (or lead Senior QS ready for progression) delivering major highways, earthworks, or complex civil infrastructure schemes.
• Contractual Expertise: Thorough, demonstrable mastery of NEC contract mechanisms (specifically target cost frameworks).
• Core Strengths: Outstanding commercial acumen, robust negotiation skills, and strong team leadership capabilities.

Package & Benefits

• Highly competitive base salary commensurate with experience
• Annual performance-related bonus scheme
• BUPA private medical insurance (couple cover included)
• Travel allowance
• Generous pension scheme and life assurance
• 26+ days annual leave plus public holiday

Randstad CPE values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business