Senior Quantity Surveyor

Randstad Construction & Property; Norwich; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance / company vehicle

Private healthcare

Enhanced pension

Job summary

Randstad CPE is seeking a Senior Quantity Surveyor to lead commercial delivery on a flagship highways upgrade. The role is site-based with Midlands scope, requiring NEC3/NEC4 expertise, strong cost control, and the ability to manage complex subcontracts across earthworks, structures and traffic management.

You will mentor junior surveyors, drive CVRs and EVM metrics, and collaborate with clients, the design team and supply chain to optimise value and risk.

Qualifications

• Degree in QS or Civil Engineering; MRICS/MCInstCES desirable.
• Experience as Senior/Lead QS on UK highways projects.
• Strong NEC3/NEC4 experience and cost control.

Responsibilities

• Act as commercial lead for designated project sections under NEC3/NEC4 ECC (Option C Target Cost).
• Proactively manage EWNs, Risk Reduction meetings, and Compensation Events pricing/substantiation.
• Prepare, present and analyse CVRs, forecasts and EVM metrics on a monthly basis.
• Lead procurement and administration of subcontracts (NEC ECS) for earthworks, structures, pavement and traffic management.
• Monitor Defined Cost and Disallowed Cost, ensuring recovery and adherence to pain/gain mechanisms.
• Manage interfaces with statutory undertakers, local authorities and third-party stakeholders.
• Identify value engineering opportunities with design/planning/engineering teams.
• Provide mentorship to Assistant and Project Quantity Surveyors.

Skills

NEC3/NEC4 contract knowledge

Cost planning & reporting (CVR/EVM)

Subcontract management (NEC ECS)

Stakeholder management & negotiation

Excel advanced / data analysis

Education

MRICS/MCInstCES desirable

Tools

CEMAR

Causeway

COINS

Excel (advanced)

Job description

Job Title: Senior Quantity Surveyor - Major Highways Infrastructure

Location: Midlands / Site-Based

Contract Type: Permanent

We are seeking an experienced and highly driven Senior Quantity Surveyor to join our commercial team on a flagship strategic road network (SRN) improvement scheme. Working for a leading Tier 1 infrastructure contractor, you will play a pivotal role in the commercial delivery of a highly complex, multi-million-pound major highway upgrade.

This scheme involves significant earthworks, heavy structures, complex utility diversions, and extensive traffic management phasing. Operating in a highly collaborative environment with our national client, you will ensure robust commercial governance, drive profitability, and mitigate risk using the NEC suite of contracts.

Key Responsibilities

• Contract Administration: Act as the commercial lead for designated sections of the project, executing rigorous contract administration under NEC3/NEC4 ECC (specifically Option C Target Cost).
• Change Management: Proactively manage Early Warning Notices (EWNs), Risk Reduction meetings, and the robust pricing, substantiation, and agreement of Compensation Events (CEs).
• Financial Reporting & Forecasting: Prepare, present, and analyze detailed monthly Cost Value Reconciliations (CVRs), outturn cost forecasts, and Earned Value Management (EVM) metrics.
• Supply Chain Management: Lead the procurement, negotiation, and administration of complex subcontracts (NEC ECS) across key packages including earthworks, structures, pavement, and traffic management.
• Cost Auditing: Monitor and audit Defined Cost and Disallowed Cost, ensuring maximum recovery and adherence to the pain/gain mechanisms.
• Stakeholder Interface: Manage complex commercial interfaces with statutory undertakers (C2-C4 utility diversions), local authorities, and third-party stakeholders.
• Value Engineering: Work closely with the design, planning, and engineering teams to identify value engineering opportunities and drive carbon/cost reduction initiatives.
• Mentorship: Provide leadership, guidance, and training to Assistant and Project Quantity Surveyors within the commercial team.

Required Skills & Experience

• Qualifications: Degree educated in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline. Chartered status (MRICS, MCInstCES, or equivalent) is highly desirable.
• Industry Experience: A proven track record operating as a Senior QS or Lead QS on major UK civil engineering and infrastructure schemes (specifically highways, bypasses, or junction upgrades).
• Contractual Expertise: Exceptional working knowledge of NEC3/NEC4 contracts (Options A, B, and C) and target cost environments.
• Technical Measurement: Strong working knowledge of the Specification for Highway Works (SHW) and the Method of Measurement for Highway Works (MMHW).
• Digital Tools: Proficiency in modern commercial management software and ERP systems (e.g., CEMAR, Causeway, COINS) and advanced Excel skills.
• Attributes: Strong negotiation skills, a collaborative approach to dispute avoidance, and the ability to build robust relationships with clients, designers, and supply chain partners.

What We Offer

• A highly competitive basic salary and comprehensive benefits package (including car allowance/company vehicle, private healthcare, and enhanced pension).
• The opportunity to leave a lasting legacy on a critical piece of national infrastructure.
• A commitment to your continued professional development within a leading, progressive Tier 1 environment.

Randstad CPE values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.