Senior Quantity Surveyor

Bluebook Partners; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading specialist civil engineering firm based in North Cambridgeshire is seeking a Senior Project Quantity Surveyor. This pivotal role involves providing commercial leadership for a major £45m RC frame project in the waste management sector. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in civil engineering project delivery, excellent NEC knowledge, and proven track record managing large-scale projects. Strong negotiation skills and the ability to develop junior staff are essential. This position offers a full-time contract with competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience as a Commercial Manager or Senior QS prepared to step up.
• Strong background in RC Frame/civils project delivery.
• Working knowledge of CESMM and BoQ preparation is an advantage.
• Track record in managing projects of £20m-£50m+.
• Excellent NEC contractual knowledge.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and leadership capabilities.
• Ability to deliver in a fast-paced, commercially challenging environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide full commercial leadership across the project lifecycle.
• Lead procurement activities, negotiate subcontracts, and manage contracts.
• Oversee valuations, variations, and claims to maximize project value.
• Collaborate closely with project leadership on commercial strategy.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, and partners.
• Mentor and develop junior commercial staff.

Job description

Position: Senior Project Quantity Surveyor
Location: north Cambridgeshire
Project value: £45m
Start date: January/February 2026
Employment type: Directly employed, full-time project based (salary/package TBC)

Project brief

On behalf of a leading specialist civil engineering group, we're looking for a Commercial Manager to take full responsibility for a major £45m RC Frame/civils scheme (waste management/energy sector). This is a strategically important role requiring a commercially astute leader with proven experience in complex civil engineering schemes, who can comfortably operate as the commercial lead, reporting directly to the Commercial Director.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide full commercial leadership across the project lifecycle, ensuring robust cost control, forecasting, and reporting
• Lead procurement activities, negotiate subcontracts, and manage contract administration.
• Oversee valuations, variations, and claims to protect commercial position and maximise project value.
• Collaborate closely with project leadership to align commercial strategy with programme and technical objectives.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, and supply chain partners.
• Mentor and develop junior commercial staff to ensure best practice and high performance.

Requirements

• Demonstrable experience as a Commercial Manager (or Senior QS prepared to step up).
• Essential: Strong background in RC Frame/civils project delivery.
• As the works are re-measurable, a working knowledge of CESMM and BoQ preparation would be a distinct advantage
• Track record commercially managing projects of comparable scale (£20m-£50m+).
• Excellent NEC contractual knowledge
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and leadership capabilities.
• Ability to deliver in a fast-paced, commercially challenging environment