Senior Quantity Surveyor

Building Careers UK Ltd; Colchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Hybrid working

Job summary

Building Careers UK Ltd is seeking an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor for major UK power and utilities projects. You will lead commercial management across overhead line and substation schemes, ensuring robust cost control, procurement and contract administration from development through final account.

The role requires strong NEC understanding, excellent stakeholder management and the ability to deliver value within a dynamic consultancy environment.

Qualifications

• Proven Senior Quantity Surveyor experience in power/utilities/energy sectors.
• Experience managing cost, procurement and commercial delivery on complex infrastructure projects.
• Solid understanding of NEC contracts (preferred) or similar forms.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial management of overhead line and substation projects.
• Develop and maintain detailed cost plans, budgets, and forecasts aligned to project objectives.
• Monitor project performance with cost reporting and variance analysis.
• Administer NEC/JCT contracts including compensation events and change control.
• Support procurement strategy including tender evaluation and contract award.
• Manage subcontractor accounts, payments, variations and final accounts.
• Identify, assess and manage commercial risks and opportunities.
• Provide clear commercial reporting to senior stakeholders and client teams.
• Collaborate with engineers and delivery teams to drive value and efficiency.
• Support dispute avoidance through contract and commercial management.
• Promote best practice and continuous improvement across commercial processes.

Skills

Senior Quantity Surveyor experience

NEC contracts

Cost management

Procurement

Contract administration

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

MS Office / project systems

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying

MRICS desirable

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are currently recruiting on behalf of our client for an experienced and commercially driven Senior Quantity Surveyor with strong expertise in overhead line (OHL) and substation projects.

This is a fantastic opportunity to take a leading commercial role on major UK power and utilities infrastructure programmes, working within a dynamic and growing consultancy environment delivering high-value energy projects.

The Opportunity

You will be responsible for the full commercial and contractual management of complex infrastructure projects, from early-stage development through to final account. Working across overhead cabling and substation schemes, you will provide expert commercial leadership to ensure successful delivery in terms of cost, programme, and risk.

Operating as a key interface between the client, delivery teams, and supply chain, you will play a critical role in driving commercial performance and ensuring robust contract administration throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial management of overhead line and substation projects
• Develop and maintain detailed cost plans, budgets, and forecasts aligned to project objectives
• Monitor project performance, providing accurate cost reporting and variance analysis
• Administer contracts (primarily NEC, JCT, or similar) including compensation events and change control
• Support procurement strategy, including tender preparation, evaluation, and contract award
• Manage subcontractor accounts including payments, variations, and final accounts
• Identify, assess, and manage commercial risks and opportunities across projects
• Provide clear and concise commercial reporting to senior stakeholders and client teams
• Work collaboratively with engineers, project managers, and delivery teams to drive value and efficiency
• Support dispute avoidance through proactive contract and commercial management
• Promote best practice and continuous improvement across commercial processes

About You

• Proven experience as a Senior Quantity Surveyor within the power, utilities, or energy sector
• Solid understanding of NEC contracts (preferred) or similar forms
• Demonstrable experience managing cost, procurement, and commercial delivery on complex infrastructure projects
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• Confident working within multi-disciplinary project environments
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and relevant commercial/project systems
• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying or equivalent experience
• MRICS (or working towards) desirable

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to work on major UK energy and utilities infrastructure projects
• Exposure to complex OHL and substation programmes
• Strong, collaborative consultancy environment
• Clear career progression and professional development support
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package

Hybrid working - 2 days per week on site in Bury St Edmunds

This is an excellent opportunity for a Senior Quantity Surveyor with specialist overhead line and substation experience to take a key commercial role on major UK energy infrastructure programmes. If you are looking to develop your career within a high-growth and essential sector, we would be keen to hear from you.

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities. Our recruitment process is designed to ensure equal opportunities for all candidates, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic.

Please Note: Due to high volume of applicants, only those shortlisted will be contacted.