Senior Quantity Surveyor

VolkerWessels UK; Luton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive annual leave

Birthday day off

Private medical care

Pension

Life Assurance

Cycle to Work

Shopping vouchers and discounts

Training and development

Family friendly policies

Flexible working opportunities

Employee Assistance programme

Mental health support

24/7 Virtual GP service

Job summary

VolkerHighways in Luton seeks a Senior Quantity Surveyor to lead commercial activities on major highways projects. You will forecast, report costs and cashflow, and maintain robust records of variations, valuations, risks, and opportunities.

The role requires an accredited QS qualification (RICS/CIOB/ICES or equivalent) and proven highways/civil engineering experience. NEC contract knowledge and strong leadership are essential, with a proactive, solutions‑focused approach.

Qualifications

• Accredited qualification with RICS, CIOB or ICES, or relevant degree/HND.
• Proven experience as a QS/Senior QS within highways or civil engineering.
• Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts and term maintenance arrangements.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and leadership skills.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to analyse costs, manage risks, and maximise value.
• Experience in subcontract management and procurement.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and support a collaborative team culture.
• Proficiency in Causeway and Microsoft Office systems.
• A proactive, professional, and solutions‑focused approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial activity on allocated projects, ensuring accurate forecasting, cost/value reporting, and cashflow management.
• Maintain robust records of site activities, variations, valuations, risk, and opportunities.
• Prepare monthly CVRs, forecasts, accruals, liabilities, and revenue reports.
• Ensure subcontract payments and main contract payments are processed accurately and on time.
• Protect VolkerHighways' commercial interests through proactive contract administration.
• Manage procurement activities, including developing procurement schedules with the Project Manager.
• Prepare high-quality subcontract documentation with clear scopes, responsibilities, and expectations.
• Oversee accurate measurement of works, manage subcontract instructions, variations, contra-charges, and account settlements.
• Ensure compliance with commercial policy and all contractual notice requirements.
• Maintain professional, productive relationships with clients, designers, and consultants.
• Issue and manage client instructions, reporting formats, valuations, and forecast updates.
• Ensure excellent client service, clear communication, and proper authorisation before additional works commence.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Commercial awareness

Subcontract management

Procurement

Problem solving

Microsoft Office

Causeway

Education

RICS/CIOB/ICES accredited or relevant degree/HND

Tools

NEC contracts

Job description

VolkerHighways is a market leader in the delivery of highways and street lighting term maintenance contracts. We build strong collaborative relationships with our clients to drive improvements and efficiency in all our activities.

We have the capability to deliver major surfacing and public realm infrastructure projects. Our specialist in-house traffic management division provides expert advice and support across the industry, whilst assisting with our own, in-house contracts.

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Quantity Surveyor to join our team at VolkerHighways in Luton. This role is key to ensuring commercial success on our projects by managing costs, maximising recovery, and maintaining strong relationships with Luton Borough Council and the supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial & Cost Management:

• Lead commercial activity on allocated projects, ensuring accurate forecasting, cost/value reporting, and cashflow management.
• Maintain robust records of site activities, variations, valuations, risk, and opportunities.
• Prepare monthly CVRs, forecasts, accruals, liabilities, and revenue reports.
• Ensure subcontract payments and main contract payments are processed accurately and on time.
• Protect VolkerHighways' commercial interests through proactive contract administration.

Procurement & Subcontract Management:

• Manage procurement activities, including developing procurement schedules with the Project Manager.
• Prepare high‑quality subcontract documentation with clear scopes, responsibilities, and expectations.
• Oversee accurate measurement of works, manage subcontract instructions, variations, contra‑charges, and account settlements.
• Ensure compliance with commercial policy and all contractual notice requirements.
• Maintain professional, productive relationships with clients, designers, and consultants.
• Issue and manage client instructions, reporting formats, valuations, and forecast updates.
• Ensure excellent client service, clear communication, and proper authorisation before additional works commence.

About you

We're looking for an experienced and commercially strong Senior Quantity Surveyor who can lead commercial functions across complex projects. You will bring:

Experience & Qualifications

• Accredited qualification with RICS, CIOB or ICES, or relevant degree/HND.
• Proven experience as a QS/Senior QS within highways or civil engineering.
• Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts and term maintenance arrangements.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and leadership skills.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to analyse costs, manage risks, and maximise value.
• Experience in subcontract management and procurement.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and support a collaborative team culture.
• Proficiency in Causeway and Microsoft Office systems.
• A proactive, professional, and solutions‑focused approach.

Why work with us?

VolkerHighways is under the umbrella of VolkerWessels UK which is a multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across the civil engineering and construction sectors including rail, highways, airport, marine, energy, water, and environmental infrastructure.

By utilising the specialist skills of each business unit within VolkerWessels UK, VolkerHighways are able to ensure our staff provide unrivalled resources and expertise to our clients.

We offer competitive rewards and benefits, recognising the value we place on our employees.

We offer a range of benefits, including:

• Competitive annual leave and an additional day off on your birthday
• Option to buy additional annual leave
• Private medical care
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts
• Training and development opportunities-comprehensive skills-based training
• Family friendly polices including enhanced maternity benefit
• Flexible working opportunities
• Employee Assistance programme
• Mental health, physical health, and financial support
• 24/7 Virtual GP service

Fairness, inclusion and respect

We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that, whatever their background, VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive.

Additional information

Note for Recruitment Agencies:

Our preference is to hire directly, and we will reach out to our Preferred Supplier List (PSL) agencies if this particular role qualifies for release.

We kindly request that you refrain from sending speculative CVs. In the event of speculative CV submissions, no fees will be applicable, and we kindly ask that all inquiries to be directed

VolkerWessels UK is committed to maintaining healthy, safe and productive working conditions for its entire staff and therefore a drugs & alcohol screening is mandatory for all.