Senior Quantity Surveyor

Walker & Sloan Ltd | Certified B Corp; West of England; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Healthcare (BUPA)

EV scheme

25 days holiday + Birthday off

Cycle to Work

Job summary

Walker & Sloan are seeking a Senior Quantity Surveyor for a major data centre refurbishment in Bristol. You will lead the commercial aspects, manage procurement and subcontract packages, and drive cost reporting and forecasting throughout the lifecycle.

The role requires strong contract knowledge, ability to handle complex MEP packages, and collaboration with delivery teams to optimise profitability on a live data centre environment.

Qualifications

• Experience of construction contracts and commercial management on major schemes.
• Procurement and subcontract administration throughout delivery.
• Cost/value reporting, forecasting and change management.

Responsibilities

• Take commercial lead on the project, maximise profitability and cash flow.
• Negotiate with supply chain, manage variations and final accounts.
• Maintain regular client and stakeholder communications.

Skills

Procurement

Subcontract management

Cost/value reporting

Forecasting

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying

Job description

Sector: Data Centres / Mission Critical Construction

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Quantity Surveyor to join a specialist contractor delivering the second phase of a major data centre refurbishment project in Bristol.

You’ll take the commercial lead on a circa £15 million design and build scheme expanding the existing facility’s IT capacity by an additional 2.4MW.

The project follows the successful delivery of an initial £8 million phase and will involve another technically challenging refurbishment of the live data centre environment. New mechanical and electrical infrastructure will include chillers, generators, switchgear, UPS systems and CRAH units, giving you significant exposure to the specialist MEP packages that sit at the heart of modern mission‑critical construction.

You’ll be joining a contractor with more than 40 years of specialist industry experience and a growing portfolio across the data centre, defence and energy sectors.

Role Overview

As Senior Quantity Surveyor, you’ll take responsibility for the commercial and contractual management of the project, working closely with the Commercial Manager, project leadership and site team to maximise profitability, protect cash flow and ensure the scheme achieves its commercial objectives.

You’ll take ownership of procurement and subcontract management, ensuring packages are properly scoped before appointment and commercially managed throughout delivery. You’ll attend pre‑contract meetings, negotiate with the supply chain and ensure subcontract payments, variations and final accounts are dealt with accurately and in accordance with contractual requirements.

Accurate reporting will be a fundamental part of your role. You’ll maintain robust cost and value information, forecasts and cash projections, giving the wider management team a clear understanding of the project’s commercial position throughout its lifecycle.

You’ll work closely with the operational team to identify risk and opportunity, manage change and recover the business’s full financial entitlement. Where commercial or contractual issues arise, you’ll be expected to understand the position, provide practical advice and help determine the best route forward.

You’ll also maintain regular communication with the client and wider project stakeholders, dealing with applications, variations, claims and other commercial matters while helping build the relationships that support successful delivery and repeat business.

As a senior member of the commercial team, you’ll also have the opportunity to support and mentor more junior colleagues, helping develop their commercial and contractual understanding.

About You

You are an experienced Quantity Surveyor or Senior Quantity Surveyor who is comfortable taking significant commercial responsibility for construction projects or major packages.

You’ll have a strong working knowledge of the principal forms of construction contract and understand the legal and contractual principles that underpin successful commercial management. You’ll be confident with procurement, subcontract administration, cost/value reporting, forecasting, change management and the resolution of commercial issues.

You’ll be commercially driven without losing sight of the wider project. You understand that the best commercial results are achieved by working closely with delivery teams, clients and subcontractors rather than operating separately from them.

Experience within data centres would be highly advantageous, particularly given the MEP‑intensive nature of this project. However, candidates who have delivered other technically complex design and build schemes and can demonstrate strong commercial capability will also be considered.

You’ll ideally hold an HNC, HND or Degree in Quantity Surveying. MCIOB, MRICS or progress towards another relevant professional qualification would be advantageous, although equivalent practical experience will also be valued.

Company Profile

You’ll be joining an established specialist design, construction and engineering contractor with more than 40 years of industry experience.

The business operates across the data centre, defence and energy sectors, delivering complex projects where engineering, construction and specialist building services need to work seamlessly together.

With continued investment in the mission‑critical sector and an expanding portfolio of technically demanding projects, this is an excellent opportunity to develop your data centre experience while taking a commercially significant role on a major Bristol scheme.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive pension scheme
• BUPA Healthcare and Cash Plan
• Electric vehicle scheme
• 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays + Birthday off
• Cycle to Work scheme

About Walker & Sloan

Walker & Sloan are a BCorp certified recruitment business specialising in construction and the built environment. I, Jack Houghton, work closely with contractors, developers and consultancies across the UK and handle all applications with complete confidentiality.

Next Steps

If you’re an experienced Quantity Surveyor looking to take commercial ownership of a technically challenging data centre project in Bristol, I’d be keen to hear from you.