Senior Quantity Surveyor

Elk Recruitment; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Elk Recruitment is seeking a Senior Quantity Surveyor to oversee cost estimation, procurement, and budget control across roofing, cladding, and construction projects in the UK. The ideal candidate has 8+ years in senior commercial roles, exceptional negotiation skills, and a proven ability to manage contractual risks while delivering projects on time and within budget.

You will mentor junior staff and work closely with clients and stakeholders to maximise value and maintain high quality

Qualifications

• Minimum 8+ years of experience in a senior commercial role within roofing, cladding, or construction contracting.
• Strong contract negotiation, dispute resolution, and commercial risk management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Solid understanding of construction contracts and legal frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage detailed cost estimates and budgets for construction projects.
• Conduct regular cost analysis and forecasting to ensure financial viability.
• Manage procurement processes, including tendering and contract negotiations.
• Monitor project costs and provide timely financial reports to management.
• Identify and manage contractual risks, variations, and claims.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and clients to meet specifications within budget.
• Lead and mentor junior quantity surveyors to support project success.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Cost estimation

Budget control

Financial reporting

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Role: Senior Quantity Surveyor
Location: Cambois, Northumberland
Job Type: Permanent - Full time
Salary: Negotiable depending on experience
At Elk Recruitment, we are looking for an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor. As a key member of our project management office, the Senior Quantity Surveyor will be responsible for overseeing cost estimation, procurement, and budget control to ensure projects are completed within budget and on time. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of construction practices, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with clients, contractors, and stakeholders to deliver high-quality outcomes. This position requires a proactive and detail-oriented individual who can identify financial risks, develop cost-control strategies, and provide accurate financial reporting throughout the project lifecycle. If you have a proven track record in quantity surveying, excellent communication capabilities, and a passion for driving successful construction projects, we invite you to join our team and contribute to our continued growth and excellence in the industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage detailed cost estimates and budgets for construction projects.
• Conduct regular cost analysis and forecasting to ensure projects remain financially viable.
• Manage procurement processes, including tendering and contract negotiations with suppliers and subcontractors.
• Monitor project progress and costs, providing timely financial reports to project managers and stakeholders.
• Identify and manage contractual risks, variations, and claims to minimize financial exposure.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and clients to ensure project specifications are met within budget constraints.
• Lead and mentor junior quantity surveyors and other team members to support professional development and project success.

Requirements

• Minimum 8+ years of experience in a senior commercial role, ideally within roofing, cladding, or construction contracting environments.
• A qualification in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or a related field is essential.
• Strong track record of contract negotiation, dispute resolution, and commercial risk management.
• Deep knowledge of construction contract law, including RIAI, Public Works, and bespoke client contracts.
• Outstanding financial acumen and analytical skills, with a commercial instinct for identifying and exploiting margin opportunities.
• Assertive communicator and natural relationship manager—capable of building trust while holding external stakeholders to account.
• Hands‑on leader who can set the standard, inspire performance, and thrive under pressure.
• Confidence to take ownership of issues and see them through to resolution without hand‑holding.
• Comfortable operating in a non-bureaucratic, high-performance culture where outcomes matter more than process.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 and commercial management tools.
• Full clean driver’s license required.