Principal Quantity Surveyor

Pertemps Thames Water; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car Allowance

Pension (AON)

Private Medical Health Care

Annual Leave 26–30 days

Job summary

Thames Water in Reading seeks a Principal Quantity Surveyor to lead a team of surveyors on AMP8 projects. The role manages a contractor programme valued up to £200m per year and provides commercial assurance and contractual guidance to delivery teams.

The successful candidate will oversee cost control against budgets, identify risks early, and develop team members to chartership, with a hybrid base location in Reading.

Qualifications

• Degree in quantity surveying or equivalent.
• Background in civil engineering (transportation, utilities, etc.).
• Experience leading a small team and developing talent.
• Experience in pre- and post-contract quantity surveying duties.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide commercial assurance for major projects and programmes.
• Advise delivery teams on contractual matters.
• Control costs against budgets and report contingencies.
• Develop and mentor team members towards chartership.
• Support procurement and tender documentation with commercial input.

Skills

Contract administration

Cost management

Leadership

Team management

Negotiation

Education

QS Degree

Master's in QS

Job description

This Principal Quantity Surveyor position in Reading offers a competitive salary of up to £86,000 annually, dependent upon experience. The full‑time post involves leading a team of surveyors to support major projects and programmes during AMP8 at Thames Water. Responsibilities encompass overseeing a contractor programme valued at up to £200m each year, providing commercial assurance and contractual guidance to delivery teams.

The successful applicant will manage cost control against budgets, identifying commercial risks early and reporting on contingency. Team management and professional development of members form a key aspect. Strong skills in contract administration, cost management, and leadership are essential for this senior role.

We are thrilled to offer a Principal Quantity Surveyor an extraordinary opportunity to lead a dedicated team of Quantity Surveyors essential to supporting the successful delivery of Major Projects and Programme in AMP8 at Thames Water. You will oversee a contractor programme value of up to £200m per annum in AMP8, playing a vital role in helping us deliver life’s essential service to customers.

What you’ll be doing as a Principal Quantity Surveyor

• Providing Commercial Assurance of Major Projects and Programmes Contracts.
• Providing Contractual advice and guidance to the delivery teams.
• Ensure cost management against the budget, highlighting commercial challenges early, including managing and reporting on contingency/risk.
• Management and development of Team Members, including their progression towards chartership.
• Accountable for ensuring that the team carries out the following:
  • Challenging and agreeing on Project Tenders.
  • Ensuring that payments are made on time and in accordance with the Contract.
  • Assessing the Quantum of Change and/or Extension of Time.
  • Data Collection of Projects.
  • Auditing and agreeing on Project Accounts.
  • Ensuring that appropriate processes are in place and monitored for your Delivery Area to ensure that Contractual Compliance is maintained, and act as the first point of escalation should any non‑performance be identified and corrective actions implemented as necessary.
• Supporting procurement by ensuring Suppliers and Contractors are engaged under the most appropriate terms and conditions.
• Provide commercial support during the procurement of the contracts, including assisting in preparing tender documents.
• Ensure we always maintain financial governance and provide expert input to financial and contract governance proposals.
• Advising and supporting the management and optimisation of budgets and spending on the portfolio of Projects.
• Supporting the Principal and Managing Quantity Surveyor with the resolution of Claims as necessary.

Location and Working Hours

Base Location: Reading – Hybrid. Maple Lodge – Hybrid Working Pattern or hours: 36 Hours

What you should bring to the role

• Hold a degree or a master’s in quantity surveying or equivalent.
• Have a background in working in the civil engineering sector, such as transportation, nuclear, utilities or similar fields.
• Be competent in line managing a small team and developing them to success.
• Experience in both pre & post contract quantity surveying duties.
• Strong Communication and negotiation skills are crucial, as well as the ability to bring numerous stakeholders together to bring opportunities to fruition.
• Self‑starter, resilient and tenacious under pressure.

What’s in it for you?

• You will be a part of a highly professional Quantity Surveying team empowered to make decisions and responsible for all commercial aspects of their contracts.
• Competitive salary up to £86,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Annual Leave – 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Car Allowance.
• Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Private Medical Health Care.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks (Please note different T&Cs apply if on secondment)

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job, and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values.

Working at Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits. If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world’s water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Why choose us?

Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else, just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.