Quantity Surveyor

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP); Manchester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Estates seeks a qualified professional to provide end-to-end commercial management and cost assurance across a portfolio of construction projects. You will challenge budgets, approve cost plans, and drive best practice with the supplier network to deliver value for money.

Reporting to the Senior Quantity Surveyor, you will contribute to lifecycle, capital and FF&E projects, aligning with the Estates strategy and Government Greening commitments, while

Qualifications

• Independent cost management across projects from inception to settlement.
• Strong cost assurance and value-for-money focus.
• Experience evaluating tender reports and contractor/consultant appointments.

Responsibilities

• Provide independent budget challenge for major projects and cost assurance.
• Develop cost plans and procurement policies for programmes of work.
• Support cost audits and verification of cost improvements with supplier partners.
• Ensure data from projects informs benchmark data for future estimating.
• Engage with government bodies to share best practices and standards.
• Coordinate with Estates colleagues for a holistic portfolio approach.

Skills

Cost management

Budgeting

Tender evaluation

Cost auditing

Stakeholder management

Procurement policy

Job description

From the design and development of policies to the delivery of services supporting work, welfare, pensions and child maintenance, DWP is the Government's largest department. People are at the very heart of what we do. We ensure disabled people can live more independent lives; help tackle poverty and homelessness; provide a financial foundation for a secure old age; and support families ensuring children can fulfil their potential. DWP has the largest commercial estate in government and our team is committed to being smaller, greener and better - helping people to work, grow and thrive. Our estate provides accommodation for colleagues who support millions of daily customer interactions in Jobcentres and Health Assessment centres, back of house offices delivering frontline services and hub sites housing expert functions such as Policy, Finance, Digital and HR. The DWP Estates function ensures the smooth and efficient operation of this network on a day-to-day basis. We manage a private sector supply chain that delivers essential services such as security guarding, maintenance, property and leasehold, construction, cleaning and facilities management. Many of these services are business critical and we cannot safely open our offices without them. Our ambitions are to:

• Transition to a smaller, more affordable, and adaptable estate
• Invest in improving DWP's buildings and infrastructure, conducted mainly through an extensive programme of planned replacement works
• Meet our agreed Government Greening Commitments – creating a culture where sustainability is embedded
• Expertly deliver cost effective services
• Create a professional working culture that is best in class across the Government Property world.

Reporting to the Senior Quantity Surveyor (G7) this role is professionally responsible for supporting the end to end delivery process for the commercial and financial management of a portfolio of projects from inception to completion. You will be accountable to challenge and approve how projects are budgeted, procured and cost managed whilst still achieving the required standards and quality and delivery on programme. This specialist role will work closely with the supplier partner network, in particular the Framework Contractors and Professional Services Consultants to ensure management of all costs and drive enhanced value for money across all types and complex projects, including Lifecycle; Capital (change the Estate) and FF&E. The role will provide commercial overview and assurance that completed projects meet the needs of the DWP business and are aligned with the Estates strategic portfolio plan.

Location - While the Corporate Hub locations above are preferred other locations can be considered.

Government Property Profession Career Framework (Link) This role sits within the following:

• Job Family - Property & Construction Projects
• Core Role - Property & Construction Project Management
• Level - Practitioner

Key accountabilities

• Provide support in the development of a full independent cost management and review process, from project inception to settlement of final account and project close. Analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from varied internal and external sources to support decisions
• Evaluate and approval of all costs incorporated in project feasibility reports, consulting with others to ensure the potential impacts on end users have been considered. Presenting strong recommendations in a timely manner outlining the consideration of other options, costs, benefits and risks
• Provide an independent review and budget challenge for all types of major projects – providing cost assurance to support change management/control and displaying confidence when making difficult decisions
• Works with Estates colleagues to ensure a holistic portfolio approach is taken across all projects to ensure the most efficient and effective management of DWP Estates assets understanding the strategic drivers for Estates and the customer, aligning activities to contribute to the wider organisational priorities
• Develop, implement and manage project procurement policies and procedures for projects and programmes of work, communicated to all stakeholders to understand their role in the process
• Supports the EPMS and project supply chain team in developing cost plans, encouraging joined up team work collaborating to share information, resources and support.
• Evaluation and approval of tender reports and recommendations relating to Contractor and Consultant appointments for projects and services
• Undertake full independent Cost Audits, providing assurance in appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency
• Providing cost estimates for strategic programmes and projects to support Departmental policy
• Establish and manage a cost avoidance and cost benefit reporting framework/tool for projects, to provide DWP assurance working with others to identify areas for improvement and simplify processes to use fewer resources where appropriate
• Verifying cost improvements put forward by supplier partners relating to projects or elements of project work, which adhere to the required design standards
• Ensure that data from completed projects is used to inform relevant benchmark data to improve future estimating
• Ensure frameworks and contracts are up to date and rates reflect the departments design standards and market comparable, clearly explaining the reasons for change to colleagues and stakeholders and how to implement them, supporting individuals with different needs to adapt to the changes
• Demonstrate the Authority and operational business units are receiving market comparable rates and value for money across all types and size of projects
• Engage with other government departments and Office for Government Property/Government Property Agency, networking with similar roles and colleagues to ensure best practice is shared and understood