Senior Quantity Surveyor

Smart 4 EPC; Dunstable; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Smart 4 EPC seeks a Senior Quantity Surveyor to lead the commercial management of a hyperscale data centre campus near Dunstable. You will own cost control, procurement strategy and contractual governance across two data centre buildings and infrastructure packages.

The role requires extensive post-qualification experience (8+ years), strong NEC3/4 or JCT knowledge, and proven ability to manage budgets and mentor junior staff while engaging with client, Arup, and Colliers Properties LLC

Qualifications

• 8+ years post-qualification QS/commercial management experience.
• Experience on large industrial/logistics or mission-critical/data centre projects.
• Strong knowledge of NEC3/4 and/or JCT forms of contract.
• Proven track record in procuring and administering specialist packages.
• Experience mentoring junior commercial staff and leading teams.
• Confident presenting cost reports and positions to senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Take full commercial ownership of project cost plan, budget and cash flow across data centre buildings and shared infrastructure.
• Lead procurement strategy and tendering of major packages (substation, standby power, mechanical/electrical plant).
• Negotiate, place and administer subcontracts with robust terms and risk allocation.
• Oversee monthly cost reporting, CVR and client valuations for senior stakeholders.
• Manage change control process, including notices, compensation events and variations (NEC3/4 or JCT).
• Lead final account negotiation and close-out for subcontract packages and main contract.
• Mentor and manage contract surveyors and junior staff; liaise with client and consultants.

Skills

Commercial management

Budgeting & forecasting

Procurement strategy

Subcontract administration

Change control

Leadership

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying

MRICS or equivalent accreditation

Job description

Senior Quantity Surveyor

Luton, Dunstable

Competitive Salary

Project

A hyperscale data centre campus comprising two large data centre buildings on an 8.7-hectare site on the edge of Dunstable. The scheme includes a dedicated electrical substation compound, standby generator installation, cooling and mechanical plant, a security building and perimeter security systems, internal roads and logistics access, c.100 parking spaces, and landscaping/drainage/biodiversity works. The end user is believed to be AWS (unconfirmed); the applicant/developer is Colliers Properties LLC, with Arup as engineering consultant.

Purpose of the Role

The Senior Quantity Surveyor will lead the commercial management of the data centre campus, taking ownership of cost control, procurement and contractual governance across both buildings and all associated infrastructure packages (substation, standby power, mechanical/cooling plant, security systems, and enabling works). The role carries responsibility for the commercial performance of the project, management of junior commercial staff, and acting as the principal commercial point of contact with the client, engineering consultant (Arup) and supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full commercial ownership of the project cost plan, budget and cash flow forecasting across both data centre buildings and shared infrastructure.
• Lead procurement strategy and tendering of major packages, including specialist mission-critical packages such as substation, standby generation, and mechanical/electrical plant.
• Negotiate, place and administer subcontracts, ensuring robust terms and effective risk allocation.
• Oversee monthly cost reporting, CVR (cost-value reconciliation), and client valuations, presenting to senior stakeholders.
• Manage the change control process, including early warning notices, compensation events and variations under the relevant form of contract (e.g. NEC3/4 or JCT).
• Lead on final account negotiation and close-out for subcontract packages and the main contract.
• Identify, quantify and manage commercial risk and opportunity across the project, escalating as required.
• Mentor and manage the Contract Surveyor and Assistant Contracts Surveyor(s), reviewing their output and supporting their development.
• Liaise directly with the client's representatives, Arup, and Colliers Properties LLC on commercial matters.
• Ensure compliance with company commercial governance, audit and reporting requirements.
• Support programme and delivery teams in understanding cost implications of design and construction decisions.

Experience & Technical Knowledge

• Significant post-qualification quantity surveying / commercial management experience (typically 8+ years), ideally including large industrial, logistics, or mission-critical/data centre projects.
• Proven experience procuring and administering specialist packages (electrical infrastructure, standby generation, mechanical plant, security systems).
• Strong working knowledge of NEC3/4 and/or JCT forms of contract.
• Track record of managing project budgets in excess of comparable hyperscale-scale construction value.
• Experience managing and developing junior commercial staff.
• Confident presenting cost reports and commercial positions to senior client and consultant stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or a related built-environment discipline.
• MRICS (or equivalent professional accreditation) preferred; actively working towards Chartered status considered.

Key Attributes

• Commercially astute with strong negotiation skills.
• Comfortable operating at pace on a fast-moving, high-value programme.
• Clear communicator, able to translate commercial detail for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proactive risk management mindset.
• Strong leadership and mentoring ability.