Senior Quantity Surveyor

Southern Water; Brighton; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water utility company in Brighton is expanding and looking for Senior Quantity Surveyors to join their commercial team. This role involves delivering expert advice and managing the commercial lifecycle of infrastructure projects. Candidates should have a relevant qualification and experience in commercial management, with a strong understanding of NEC contracts. The position offers a hybrid work approach and a competitive benefits package.

Benefits

Company and performance-related bonus

Generous pension up to 11% company contribution

25 days annual leave

Life assurance equal to 4x salary

Salary sacrifice electric car scheme

Full funded eye tests

Two paid volunteering days a year

Discounts with over 800 retailers

Study support for job-related qualifications

Competitive maternity leave

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in commercial management on large-scale projects.
• Strong commercial acumen and passion for driving efficiency.
• Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Deliver expert advice on cost management and procurement.
• Ensure compliance and control across commercial activities.
• Work with Project Managers to shape cost targets and terms.

Skills

Construction or quantity surveying qualification

Experience in commercial management

Understanding of NEC contracts

Stakeholder management

Collaborative mindset

Education

Relevant construction or quantity surveying degree

Job description

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Salary: Salary and package are to be discussed at the screening stage.

We’re expanding again – and for all the right reasons.

Following a series of key hires, we're now looking for a number of exceptional Senior Quantity Surveyors to join our high-performing, commercially savvy team. Internally known as Commercial Managers, these newly created positions have been introduced due to the sheer scale and ambition of our upcoming capital programme.

Our commercial team is widely respected across the business for their insight, drive, and integrity. You'll be joining a first-class group of professionals who thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment—and who genuinely enjoy what they do.

Job Overview

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a crucial role in Southern Water’s most ambitious AMP to date, delivering complex, large-scale infrastructure projects that will make a tangible difference to communities, the environment, and the regional economy.

Responsibilities will include:

• Act as a key commercial partner, delivering expert advice on cost management, procurement, and contractual strategy across major capital projects.
• Support the entire commercial lifecycle—from feasibility and procurement through to change control and dispute resolution.
• Ensure robust governance, compliance, and control across all commercial activity, aligning with best practice and internal frameworks.
• Work hand-in-hand with Project Managers and contractors to shape realistic cost targets and contractual terms that deliver real value.
• Contribute to the ongoing evolution of how we manage commercial risk, maximise value, and deliver for our customers and stakeholders.

About You

We’re looking for someone with a relevant construction or quantity surveying qualification and demonstrable experience in commercial management on large-scale infrastructure, utility, or construction projects. You’ll bring a solid understanding of NEC contracts and commercial strategy, both pre- and post-contract, and have the confidence to partner with and influence stakeholders at all levels. A collaborative mindset, strong commercial acumen, and a passion for driving value, efficiency, and best practice will be key to your success in this role.

Package

This role will be full time Monday to Friday 37 hours a week.

Southern Water operate a hybrid approach to working between our sites and home.

We are offering a salary of up to TBC per annum depending on skills and experience as well as other benefits including:

• Company and performance-related bonus

• Generous pension up to 11% company contribution

• 25 days annual leave

• Life assurance equal to 4x salary

• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service)

• Full funded eye tests

• Two paid volunteering days a year

• Discounts with over 800 popular retailers

• Study support may be available for job-related qualifications

• Competitive maternity leave and flexible return to work options

• Cycle to work scheme

Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?

Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, because delivering water for life is our core purpose. To achieve this, we need 24/7 support in place to resolve incidents quickly and efficiently. All our employees understand the importance of out-of-hours incident support – because when problems appear, fixing them is our top priority. That’s why our people join together and support when and however needed to make sure our customers get the service they deserve. Joining the Southern Water family means you’ll become part of our incident support team. During your interview, your manager will speak to you about any incident support rotas that apply to your position.

Privacy Statement:

Please note: If you are an existing Southern Water employee, you will need to confirm within your application that your Manager is aware of your application.

All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. You will need to provide evidence of eligibility (e.g. a passport or long birth certificate and proof of NI) and current proof of address (dated within the last 3 months), will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered.