Senior Quantity Surveyor

Cunningham-Contracts; Newry; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

31 days Annual Leave

Early finish on Fridays

Flexible Working Policy

Life Assurance Policy

Company Occupational Health

Employee Assistance Programme

Wellbeing Events

Ongoing Training & Development

Chartership support

Job summary

Cunningham is recruiting a Senior Quantity Surveyor to take the commercial lead on contracted works from our Newry base, with site visits across Europe. The role focuses on delivering accurate commercial reporting, profitability targets, and close collaboration with the Project Manager and Operations team.

The ideal candidate will have a BSc in Quantity Surveying and 8+ years of QS experience in contracting, with strong negotiation and team management skills.

Qualifications

• BSc in Quantity Surveying (or equivalent commercially related discipline).
• 8+ years QS experience in a contracting environment; experience in Fit-out or M&E in Mission Critical environments desirable.
• Commercial/contractual knowledge across various contract forms (Public Works Ireland advantageous).
• Specialist knowledge in chosen field; sound construction practices and standards.
• Negotiation and settlement of disputes and accounts with customers and suppliers.
• People management experience; performance and development procedures.
• Experience with schedule of rates contracts.
• Ability to work in a team; strong management and motivation skills.

Responsibilities

• Support the Commercial Manager in delivering contracted work within agreed margins.
• Ensure reporting is accurate and timely.
• Meet project cost, quality and time targets.
• Manage subcontract accounts: procurement, payments, variations, final accounts.
• Maintain and coordinate all commercial reports for contract management.
• Prepare forecasting and cost reporting aligned to profitability forecasts.
• Resolve subcontract issues with escalation to Commercial Manager as needed.
• Provide cost data accuracy and best practice in material buying.

Skills

QS experience 8+ years

Commercial & contractual knowledge

Negotiation & dispute settlement

People management

Schedule of rates experience

Team collaboration

Contracting environment experience

Fit-out / M&E in Mission Critical

Education

BSc in Quantity Surveying

Job description

We are Cunningham. Founded in 2006, Cunningham is one of the UK's and Europe's leading construction companies. With extensive operations across multiple markets, we have built a strong reputation for innovation, quality, and safety, delivering successful projects through a proactive, collaborative approach.

Our expertise spans a diverse range of sectors, including Mission Critical & Life Sciences, Education, Healthcare, Fit Out, Residential, and Civils & Structural projects.

Today, Cunningham employs more than 280 professionals across offices in Ireland, Germany, and the UK. Working in partnership with our clients, we unlock the full potential of every project, transforming ambitious visions into successful outcomes while creating exciting opportunities for our people.

At Cunningham you will be given the opportunity to excel in your career. Our people set us apart, and that’s why we invest in your journey from day one. Your expertise, ambition, and commitment will be recognised and rewarded as you build a successful career with us.

DEPARTMENT: Commercial / Mission Critical

REPORTING TO: Commercial Manager

DIRECT REPORTS: Project QS

LOCATION: Head Office Base in Newry (Site Visits to Europe required in line with role)

ROLE PURPOSE: The Senior Quantity Surveyor is responsible for providing commercial expertise in the delivery of the contracted work by taking the commercial lead on a project. The Senior Quantity Surveyor is responsible for the provision of accurate and timely commercial reports and advice to the management team whilst ensuring the contract achieves the appropriate commercial targets.

Role Responsibilities

• Support the Commercial Manager with the delivery of contracted work within agreed margins.
• Ensure that all reporting is accurate and completed to agreed timescales.
• Ensure the project and programme contract, cost, quality and time targets are met.
• Ensure prompt and regular submission of main contract payment applications and ensure that subcontractor payments are dealt with fairly and in accordance with subcontract terms.
• Build a close relationship with Project Manager to ensure the goals for the project are met. Assist the Operations team with customer relationships.
• Maintain and coordinate all commercial reports required for the successful commercial management of the contract.
• Ensure compliance with the business delays and contract process maps.
• Preparation of the forecasting and reporting of costs against value to ensure that it is in line with the contract profitability forecast.
• Ensure all subcontract issues are resolved, deferring to the Commercial Manager where appropriate.
• Ensure the accuracy of the commercial data generated within relevant software.
• Ensure compliance with all contractual requirements, providing support and training on both the contract and the schedule of rates to maximise value recovery.
• Management of subcontract accounts including interrogation, procurement, payments, variations and final accounts.
• Preparation of all subcontracts to meet the company standards.
• Ensures all subcontractor commercial issues are resolved and payments are timely and correct.
• Identifying, raising and pricing of variation in line with the change control process including identification, measurement claims and rogue rates.
• Obtain maximum recovery through accurate measurement of the works completed.
• Provide key information across the contract team.
• Liaise with the Commercial Manager to ensure accuracy of costs, and best practise in material buying. Liaise and assist with the performance analyst in the preparation of run rate data, including the preparation of weekly gang profit / loss, plant spend, KPI and prefect delivery requirements.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required

• BSc in Quantity Surveying (or other equivalent commercially related discipline)
• A minimum of 8 Years QS experience within a Contracting environment (Experience in Fit-out or M&E in Mission Critical environments would be desirable)
• Commercial and contractual knowledge, in various forms of contract. (Public works Ireland is an advantage)
• Specialist knowledge in chosen field, as well as sound knowledge of construction practices and standards
• Negotiation and settlement of disputes and accounts relating both to customers and suppliers.
• People management experience, such as managing performance and development procedures.
• Experience working with a variety of schedule of rates contracts.
• Ability to work in a team environment contributing across a business unit. Good management skills, with the ability to motivate self and colleagues to achieve high standards of compliance.
• Good operational planning and time management skills; able to manage projects simultaneously without compromising on standards and quality.
• Ability to ensure standards and specifications are met.
• Ability to work with colleagues to deliver project and operational performance.

Benefits

As part of the Cunningham team, you will be offered the following employee benefits in addition to your market leading salary:

Work-Life & Wellbeing

• 31 days Annual Leave
• Early finish on Fridays
• Flexible Working Policy
• Life Assurance Policy
• Company Occupational Health
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Wellbeing Events

  Development & Support

  • Ongoing Training & Development
  • Team Development Days
  • Support for Chartership Pathways
  • Bespoke Career Pathways
  • Professional Membership Support

  Company Culture & Perks

  • State-of-the-art office facilities
  • On-site Car Parking
  • Branded clothing
  • Social Events