Quantity Surveyor - Preconstruction

Criterion Capital; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Criterion Capital is seeking a dynamic and experienced Pre-Construction Quantity Surveyor to join our in-house contracting team and play a key role in preparing development projects for construction.

You will lead cost planning, budgets, cost plans and forecasts across office-to-hotel conversions, PRS and mixed‑use residential developments, collaborating with development, design, construction, asset management and operations teams.

Qualifications

• Degree in Quantity Surveying or related discipline.
• 3+ years of QS experience with strong pre-construction expertise.
• Experience in developer/main contractor/in-house contracting environments.
• Proven cost planning, tender analysis, procurement and value engineering.
• Experience with building refurbishment, hotels or PRS advantageous.
• Strong commercial, analytical, numerical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills; able to challenge when needed.
• Proficient in Excel and Procore; RICS qualification or progress toward Chartered status advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost planning and commercial management throughout pre-construction, including feasibility estimates, budgets, cost plans and forecasts.
• Undertake cost benchmarking, elemental analysis and market testing to support development decisions.
• Review design information and identify cost implications, commercial risks, value engineering and cost optimisation opportunities.
• Develop procurement strategies, package scopes, tender documentation, pricing schedules and Bills of Quantities.
• Lead tendering activities, including tender analysis, commercial recommendations and subcontractor negotiations.
• Maintain strong control of scope, cost, procurement and commercial risk, including assumptions and inflation.
• Challenge consultants, designers and contractors on cost, buildability and value.
• Maintain accurate cost plans, procurement trackers and clear reporting to senior management.
• Work collaboratively across development, design, construction, asset management and operations teams.
• Support the transition into Construction, ensuring budgets and procurement information are clearly handed over.

Skills

Cost planning

Tender analysis

Procurement

Value engineering

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying or related field

Tools

Procore

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Criterion Capital is seeking a dynamic and experienced Pre-Construction Quantity Surveyor to join our in-house contracting team and play a key role in preparing development projects for construction.

Working across office-to-hotel conversions, PRS and mixed-use residential developments, and private residential refurbishments, you will provide commercial and cost leadership throughout pre-construction, working closely with the development, design, construction, asset management and operations teams.

This is a hands-on role for someone who takes ownership, challenges assumptions and drives projects forward, ensuring projects are commercially robust, appropriately costed and ready for successful delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead cost planning and commercial management throughout pre-construction, including feasibility estimates, budgets, cost plans and forecasts.
• Undertake cost benchmarking, elemental analysis and market testing to support development and investment decisions.
• Review design information and identify cost implications, commercial risks, value engineering and cost optimisation opportunities.
• Develop procurement strategies, package scopes, tender documentation, pricing schedules and Bills of Quantities.
• Lead tendering activities, including tender analysis, commercial recommendations and subcontractor/supplier negotiations.
• Maintain strong control of scope, cost, procurement and commercial risk, including assumptions, exclusions, provisional sums, inflation and market conditions.
• Challenge consultants, designers and contractors on cost, buildability and value, ensuring decisions remain aligned with project objectives.
• Maintain accurate cost plans, procurement trackers and commercial records, providing clear reporting to senior management.
• Work collaboratively across development, design, construction, asset management and operations teams.
• Support the transition into Construction, ensuring budgets, procurement information, package values and commercial risks are clearly handed over.

About You

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Commercial Management or a related discipline.
• 3+ years' Quantity Surveying experience, with strong pre-construction, estimating, cost planning or commercial experience.
• Experience within a developer, main contractor, consultancy or in-house contracting environment.
• Proven experience in cost planning, tender analysis, procurement, value engineering and negotiation.
• Existing-building, refurbishment, hotel, residential or PRS experience would be advantageous.
• Strong understanding of construction costs, procurement, design development, buildability and the UK subcontractor market.
• Strong commercial, analytical, numerical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with confidence to challenge assumptions and drive solutions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and construction/commercial software such as Procore.
• RICS qualification or progress towards chartership would be advantageous.

The Person

We are looking for a hands-on commercial professional who takes ownership and is accountable for outcomes.

You will:

• Challenge incomplete or unrealistic cost information and drive practical solutions.
• Identify commercial risks early and resolve issues before they impact projects.
• Maintain firm control of cost, scope, procurement and risk.
• Understand the impact of design decisions on cost, programme and buildability.
• Confidently challenge consultants, contractors and design teams.
• Identify opportunities to save time and cost without compromising quality or project objectives.
• Drive actions to closure and maintain accountability across project teams.
• Operate effectively across development, design, construction, asset management and operations.

Ultimately, you will ensure projects reach Construction with clear budgets, appropriate procurement strategies, robust cost information and commercial risks identified and managed.