Senior Quantity Surveyor

People Group; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

People Group is seeking a Senior Quantity Surveyor to lead cost management across multidisciplinary projects. You will report to the Head of Cost Management and collaborate with clients, designers, contractors, and other consultants to deliver high-quality commercial solutions.

The role is hybrid with on-site three days per week, and includes mentoring junior staff and leading bid support. We value senior QS experience, MRICS (preferred), and a proactive approach to risk, value engineering, and

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Quantity Surveyor or Cost Consultant within a consultancy environment.
• Strong knowledge of cost planning, procurement strategies, and contract administration.
• Experience across sectors such as commercial workplace, public sector, education, and retail.
• Excellent commercial awareness, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build relationships with clients, contractors, consultants, and stakeholders.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to lead multiple projects under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Collaborative approach and commitment to developing team capability.
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and professional standards.
• Proactive in identifying opportunities and managing risk.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost planning, estimating and budgeting across all project stages.
• Prepare cost plans, procurement strategies, tender documentation, and contract administration.
• Deliver cost reporting including forecasts, cash flow analysis, and risk assessments.
• Provide robust commercial advice to clients, ensuring cost certainty and value for money.
• Manage change control processes and report variations clearly.
• Mentor junior team members and promote collaboration across teams.
• Lead commercial negotiations with contractors and suppliers to achieve the best outcomes.
• Identify, assess and mitigate project risks and support value engineering.

Skills

Quantity Surveying

Cost Planning

Procurement Strategies

Contract Administration

Stakeholder Management

Negotiation

Leadership

Team Mentoring

RICS Standards

Sustainability

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying

MRICS qualification preferred

Job description

Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor to join a dynamic team delivering and overseeing commercial activities across a range of multidisciplinary projects.

Reporting to the Head of Cost Management, the Senior Quantity Surveyor will work closely with senior members of the consultancy team, clients, project stakeholders, designers, contractors, and other consultants to deliver high-quality cost management and commercial solutions.

This is a hybrid role, with a minimum requirement to work on-site 3 days per week, which may include the office, client offices, or project sites.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Management & Delivery

• Lead cost planning, estimating, and budgeting across all project stages, from RIBA 0–7 or equivalent.
• Prepare and manage cost plans, procurement strategies, tender documentation, and contract administration.
• Deliver accurate financial reporting, including cost forecasts, cash flow analysis, and risk assessments.
• Provide robust commercial advice to clients, ensuring cost certainty and value for money.
• Manage change control processes and ensure clear and transparent reporting of variations.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a trusted commercial advisor, developing strong and long-term client relationships.
• Lead client meetings and present cost strategies clearly, confidently, and with a solutions-focused approach.
• Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary project teams, including designers, contractors, and specialist consultants.
• Support business development activities through client engagement and contributions to bids and proposals.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Mentor and support junior team members, encouraging professional development, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.
• Promote effective collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and high-performing working environment.
• Share knowledge and best practice to strengthen the wider cost management function.

Commercial & Contractual Management

• Administer standard forms of contract, including JCT and NEC, ensuring compliance and effective risk management.
• Lead commercial negotiations with contractors and suppliers to achieve the best possible outcomes.
• Identify, assess, and manage project risks, implementing proactive mitigation strategies.
• Provide commercial guidance throughout the project lifecycle and ensure contractual obligations are effectively managed.

Sustainability & Value Focus

• Incorporate sustainable cost management principles into project advice and decision-making.
• Support clients in achieving environmental and social value objectives.
• Provide advice on whole-life costing and value engineering in support of sustainable design solutions.
• Promote efficient resource utilisation, innovation, and best practice in cost management.

Quality, Compliance & Governance

• Ensure all work is delivered to the required quality standards, processes, and governance requirements.
• Maintain professional standards in accordance with RICS or equivalent professional bodies.
• Champion ethical practice, transparency, and accountability across all project activities.
• Ensure commercial and contractual information is accurate, well documented, and appropriately communicated.

About You

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Quantity Surveyor to join a growing consultancy environment and play a key role in delivering high-quality cost management services.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and commercially focused professional who is passionate about cost management, committed to delivering excellent client outcomes, and motivated to continually improve both their own performance and that of the wider team.

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven experience working as a Quantity Surveyor or Cost Consultant within a consultancy environment.
• Strong knowledge of cost planning, procurement strategies, and contract administration.
• Experience managing projects across a range of sectors, such as commercial workplace, public sector, education, and retail,real estate
• Strong commercial awareness, with excellent negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with clients, contractors, consultants, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to lead multiple projects simultaneously, work effectively under pressure, and meet challenging deadlines.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and a varied workload.
• Demonstrates a collaborative approach and a commitment to supporting colleagues and developing team capability.
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, ethical practice, and professional standards.
• A proactive approach to identifying opportunities, managing risk, and delivering improved commercial outcomes.

Qualifications

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or a related discipline.
• MRICS qualification preferred.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience of standard forms of contract, including NEC, JCT, and/or FIDIC.