Senior quantity Surveyor

Randstad CPE; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible office/remote mix

Enhanced freelance rate

Job summary

Randstad CPE is seeking an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor in the UK to take commercial ownership of multiple new-build and refurbishment schemes up to £10 million. You will lead the commercial management across pre-construction to final accounts, protecting margins and driving value across sites.

You will manage procurement, subcontracts, valuations, and cost controls, mentor junior surveyors, and ensure contract compliance and robust governance within a supportive commercial team.

Qualifications

• Experience managing commercial operations within the UK construction sector.
• Strong understanding of residential construction, building regs, NEC/JCT forms.
• Proven contract administration and budget control experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement, subcontracts, valuations, and final accounts.
• Prepare CVRs, cash flow forecasts, and site liability reports.
• Track costs vs. budget and mitigate overruns; ensure governance.

Skills

UK construction experience

Residential construction

Contract administration

Budget control

Microsoft Excel

Commercial negotiation

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying or equivalent

MRICS or MCIOB desirable

Tools

COINS

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, commercially astute

Senior Quantity Surveyor to take commercial ownership of high-quality new-build and refurbishment developments uip to £10 million.

As a Senior Quantity Surveyor, you will lead the commercial management across the full lifecycle of multiple schemes-from pre-construction procurement through to final accounts and post-completion reviews. Working closely with the site delivery, technical, and commercial leadership teams, you will protect margins, eliminate cost leakage, and drive maximum commercial value across the sites.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Subcontractor Management:

• Prepare detailed trade packages, scopes of work, and tender documentation.
• Negotiate, let, and administer robust subcontractor packages in line with target programs and budgetary constraints.
• Carry out valuations, manage applications for payment, administer variations, and agree final accounts.
• Prepare accurate monthly Cost Value Reconciliations (CVRs), cash flow forecasts, and site liability reports for senior commercial leadership.
• Track actual costs against budget estimates, identifying potential cost overruns early and proposing practical mitigation strategies.
• Ensure full compliance with commercial operating frameworks, contractual obligations, and internal governance.

Design & Commercial Optimization:

• Work proactively with technical and design teams to identify value-engineering opportunities without compromising build quality or safety.
• Manage site variations, provisional sums, and compensation events efficiently.
• Mentor and support Assistant or Trainee Quantity Surveyors, fostering high standards of commercial diligence and industry best practice.

What They Are Looking For

• Experience: Demonstrable track record managing commercial operations within the UK construction sector
• Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of standard residential construction methodologies, building regulations, NEC and JCT forms of contract.
• Commercial Acumen: Robust negotiation skills, contract administration expertise, and an analytical eye for budget control and risk management.
• Systems & Software: High proficiency in Microsoft Excel and dedicated construction estimating/commercial software (e.g., COINS).
• Qualifications: Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or equivalent commercial experience. MRICS or MCIOB accreditation is desirable but not essential.

The role is freelance and outside scope of IR35 so will be Umbrella PAYE with no exceptions but there is an enhanced rate to cover this.

They offer flexible working with 2/3 days a week from the office in Basingstoke or nearest Site and 2/3 days a week from home.

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.