Senior Quantity Surveyor

O'Neill & Brennan; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Hybrid working

Defence-sector exposure

Job summary

O'Neill & Brennan are seeking a Quantity Surveyor or Senior Quantity Surveyor to strengthen its Cardiff commercial team. The role covers contract administration, cost reporting and subcontract management on defence-focused construction projects, with hybrid working and flexible terms.

Ideally you have Tier 1 main contracting experience, NEC contracts, and the ability to manage commercial risk independently while collaborating with operations.

Qualifications

• Strong commercial management experience within the construction industry.
• A methodical and highly organised approach to contractual administration and financial reporting.
• Excellent understanding of subcontract procurement, valuations and final accounts.
• Experience administering NEC3 or NEC4 contracts would be highly advantageous.
• Previous exposure to defence, MOD, infrastructure or other regulated construction environments would be beneficial.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and commercial judgement.
• The confidence to manage commercial responsibilities independently while working collaboratively with operational teams.

Responsibilities

• Take commercial responsibility for allocated construction contracts, ensuring effective financial and contractual management.
• Manage subcontractor procurement, appointments, valuations and final accounts.
• Assess variations, compensation events and contractual changes.
• Prepare accurate cost reports, forecasts and commercial updates.
• Identify commercial risks and opportunities throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Maintain detailed contractual records and ensure compliance with reporting procedures.
• Work closely with operational teams to monitor contract performance and protect commercial interests.
• Support commercial negotiations and maintain strong working relationships with clients and subcontractors.

Skills

Commercial management

Contract administration

Financial reporting

NEC contracts

Job description

Quantity Surveyor / Senior Quantity Surveyor

Location: Cardiff, South Wales – Flexible Hybrid Working
Salary: £65,000 – £80,000 + Car Allowance
Employment: Temporary-to-Permanent Preferred | Direct Permanent Considered
Sector: Construction / Defence Contracts

The Opportunity

O'Neill & Brennan are working in partnership with an established construction business to appoint an experienced Quantity Surveyor or Senior Quantity Surveyor to strengthen its commercial operation based out of Cardiff.

The business is responsible for delivering contracts within the defence sector and is looking for a commercially astute individual who can bring a structured, methodical approach to managing contractual and financial responsibilities.

This opportunity offers a particularly flexible hybrid working arrangement, making it an attractive proposition for experienced commercial professionals looking for greater flexibility alongside a challenging and varied workload.

The preference is to initially appoint on a temporary-to-permanent basis, although candidates seeking a direct permanent position will be equally considered.

Key Responsibilities

• Take commercial responsibility for allocated construction contracts, ensuring effective financial and contractual management.

• Manage subcontractor procurement, appointments, valuations and final accounts.

• Assess variations, compensation events and contractual changes.

• Prepare accurate cost reports, forecasts and commercial updates.

• Identify commercial risks and opportunities throughout the contract lifecycle.

• Maintain detailed contractual records and ensure compliance with reporting procedures.

• Work closely with operational teams to monitor contract performance and protect commercial interests.

• Support commercial negotiations and maintain strong working relationships with clients and subcontractors.

About You

We're particularly interested in speaking with Quantity Surveyors and Senior Quantity Surveyors who have developed their careers within Tier 1 main contracting environments, although strong candidates from established Tier 2 contractors will also be considered.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong commercial management experience within the construction industry.

• A methodical and highly organised approach to contractual administration and financial reporting.

• Excellent understanding of subcontract procurement, valuations, variations and final accounts.

• Experience administering NEC3 or NEC4 contracts would be highly advantageous.

• Previous exposure to defence, MOD, infrastructure or other regulated construction environments would be beneficial.

• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and commercial judgement.

• The confidence to manage commercial responsibilities independently while working collaboratively with operational teams.

Above all, we're looking for someone with genuine commercial capability, strong contractual awareness and the attention to detail needed to manage complex construction contracts effectively.

Salary & Benefits

• £65,000 – £80,000, dependent on experience and seniority.

• Company car allowance.

• Highly flexible hybrid working arrangements.

• Exposure to defence-sector construction contracts.

• Long-term opportunity within an established commercial operation.

• Temporary-to-permanent or direct permanent appointment options.