Pre - Construction Lead QS

United Infrastructure Ltd; Dartford; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

United Infrastructure Ltd is seeking an experienced Lead Quantity Surveyor to own the pre-construction commercial function across a diverse portfolio of projects.

You will lead a team of Assistant Quantity Surveyors, drive CVR reporting, cost planning, budgeting, and procurement governance, and partner with design and construction teams to protect margins.

The role offers leadership exposure within a growing division and a collaborative, high-performance team environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Quantity Surveying role, ideally within pre-construction.
• Strong knowledge of CVR processes, cost planning, and budget management.
• Experience leading commercial teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the pre-construction commercial function across all projects.
• Own budgets, cost plans, and financial forecasting.
• Establish and maintain robust commercial processes, controls, and reporting standards.
• Take full accountability for the CVR process across the pre-construction portfolio.
• Provide clear financial reporting and insight to senior leadership.
• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of Assistant Quantity Surveyors.
• Set objectives, monitor performance, and support professional development.
• Drive value engineering initiatives and cost optimisation strategies.
• Work closely with design and pre-construction teams to ensure alignment between scope and budget.
• Oversee pre-construction procurement strategies and package scoping.
• Support early supply chain engagement to inform pricing, risk management, and buildability.
• Ensure risk allowances, contingencies, and commercial positions are robust and defensible.
• Present commercial updates and financial positions to senior stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Financial reporting

Cost control

Budgeting

Risk management

Procurement strategy

Mentoring

Job description

We are looking for an experienced and commercially driven Lead Quantity Surveyor to take ownership of the pre-construction commercial function across a diverse portfolio of projects.

This is a key leadership position responsible for managing a team of Assistant Quantity Surveyors, driving commercial governance, and ensuring the integrity of budgeting, cost planning, and CVR reporting across the division. You will play a critical role in shaping early-stage project success, influencing procurement strategy, and ensuring robust financial control throughout the pre-construction lifecycle.

Commercial Leadership & Governance

• Lead and manage the pre-construction commercial function, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and control across all projects
• Own and oversee divisional budgets, cost plans, and financial forecasting
• Establish and maintain robust commercial processes, controls, and reporting standards

CVR & Financial Management

• Take full accountability for the Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR) process across the pre-construction portfolio
• Ensure timely, accurate reporting of cost position, risks, opportunities, and forecast outcomes
• Challenge assumptions, cost movements, and commercial risks to protect business margins
• Provide clear financial reporting and insight to senior leadership

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of Assistant Quantity Surveyors
• Set objectives, monitor performance, and support professional development
• Ensure appropriate resource allocation and workload balance across projects

Cost Planning & Pre-Construction Support

• Lead the development and validation of detailed cost plans and budgets
• Support bid and tender processes, ensuring competitive and commercially sound submissions
• Drive value engineering initiatives and cost optimisation strategies
• Work closely with design and pre-construction teams to ensure alignment between scope and budget

Procurement & Supply Chain Management

• Oversee pre-construction procurement strategies and package scoping
• Support early supply chain engagement to inform pricing, risk management, and buildability
• Ensure compliance with procurement governance and commercial best practice

Risk & Opportunity Management

• Identify, manage, and report commercial risks and opportunities across all schemes
• Ensure risk allowances, contingencies, and commercial positions are robust and defensible
• Support mitigation strategies to protect cost certainty and programme outcomes

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a key commercial interface with internal teams, clients, and supply chain partners
• Present commercial updates and financial positions to senior stakeholders
• Support collaborative working across design, construction, and operational teams

About You

• Proven experience in a Quantity Surveying role, ideally within pre-construction
• Strong knowledge of CVR processes, cost planning, and budget management
• Experience managing and developing commercial teams
• Skilled in commercial strategy, risk management, and financial reporting
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management capabilities
• Experience within [construction / cladding remediation / main contracting] is highly desirable

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Opportunity to lead a critical commercial function within a growing division
• Clear career progression and leadership exposure
• A collaborative, high-performing team environment