Lead Electrical QS – Pharma Project, Galway

Kirby Group Engineering; Connacht; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Kirby Group Engineering in Galway seeks a Senior Electrical Quantity Surveyor to run the commercial side of a major pharma project. You’ll take ownership and work with delivery teams to ensure performance from day one through final account.

Embedded in the project team, you’ll manage budgets, contracts and risk, lead subcontractor relations, and report to the Project Manager and senior stakeholders. This role offers real ownership in a high-spec pharma environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as Electrical Quantity Surveyor on large-scale construction/MEP projects.
• Pharma or life sciences project experience is advantageous.
• Strong contracts, cost control and commercial reporting skills.
• Proven ability to manage subcontractors and stakeholders.
• Experience handling variations, claims and live project change.

Responsibilities

• Take full commercial ownership from tender through final account.
• Prepare BOQs, budgets and profit plans.
• Report on commercial performance to Project Manager and senior stakeholders.
• Manage subcontractor accounts, interim valuations and final accounts.
• Ensure payments and certificates align with subcontract terms.
• Lead monthly applications and capture remeasurements, variations and claims.
• Identify and manage contract claims, including escalations.
• Price variations and site changes in real time.
• Identify commercial risks early and escalate to senior management.
• Work with Planning Engineer for cost alignment.
• Maintain detailed commercial records for reporting and cost tracking.
• Lead and contribute to commercial meetings with internal teams and client.
• Negotiate confidently with clients and their representatives.

Skills

Electrical QS

Pharma experience

Cost control

Contract management

Subcontractor management

Variations & claims

Project scheduling

Attention to detail

Independent work

Job description

• Permanent position available with a considerable portfolio of works for the next 5+ years
• To build your career by assisting in the delivery of ‘leading edge’ engineering projects.
• To work with a vibrant, agile and multi-functional team in delivering projects on time, safely, to budget and to the required quality standards.
• To benefit from Kirby’s Career Development Programmes that will enhance your leadership capability.
• To work with the best.
• Excellent package on offer with room for negotiations
  
  

• Permanent position available with a considerable portfolio of works for the next 5+ years
• To build your career by assisting in the delivery of ‘leading edge’ engineering projects.
• To work with a vibrant, agile and multi-functional team in delivering projects on time, safely, to budget and to the required quality standards.
• To benefit from Kirby’s Career Development Programmes that will enhance your leadership capability.
• To work with the best.
• Excellent package on offer with room for negotiations
  
  

About Kirby Group Engineering

Kirby Group Engineering is an international multi-disciplinary engineering services contractor and leading provider of high-value engineering services to a number of ‘blue chip’ companies. Operating across Ireland, the UK, Europe and South Africa, Kirby has become the engineering service provider of choice in growth segments such as pharmaceuticals, data centres and power transmission and distribution. Our culture is innovative, collaborative and performance focused. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to grow and develop in a company committed to developing talent and rewarding performance.

Senior Electrical Quantity Surveyor – Pharma Project | Galway

If you’re an experienced Electrical Quantity Surveyor who knows how to run the commercial side of a complex build without needing your hand held, this is a strong opportunity to step into a lead position on a major pharma project in Galway.

You’ll be taking ownership, working closely with delivery teams, and ensuring the project performs commercially from day one through to final account.

The Role

As Senior Electrical Quantity Surveyor, you’ll be responsible for driving commercial performance across the full lifecycle of the project—protecting margin, managing risk, and keeping everything aligned commercially.

You’ll be embedded within the project team, not sitting on the sidelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full commercial ownership from tender stage through to final account
• Prepare and develop BOQs, budgets and profit plans
• Report clearly on commercial performance to the Project Manager and senior stakeholders
• Manage subcontractor accounts, interim valuations, and final accounts
• Ensure payments and certificates are processed in line with agreed subcontract terms, including retentions
• Lead monthly applications, ensuring all remeasurements, variations, dayworks and claims are captured accurately
• Identify and manage contract claims, including labour and material escalations
• Price and agree variations, site changes and dayworks in real time
• Identify commercial risks early and escalate effectively to senior management
• Work closely with the Planning Engineer to ensure accurate progress and cost alignment
• Maintain detailed commercial records to fully support reporting and cost tracking
• Lead and contribute to commercial meetings with both internal teams and the client
• Negotiate confidently with clients and their representatives
  
  

What We’re Looking For

• Strong experience as an Electrical Quantity Surveyor on large-scale construction or MEP projects
• Previous pharma or life sciences project experience is highly advantageous
• Solid understanding of contracts, cost control and commercial reporting
• Proven ability to manage subcontractors and stakeholder relationships
• Experience handling variations, claims and live project change
• Good understanding of programme and its commercial impact
• High attention to detail with a focus on speed and accuracy
• Able to work on your own initiative, prioritise effectively, and keep things moving
  
  

What You’ll Notice

• You’ll have real ownership and accountability on a major project
• You’ll be part of a team that values straightforward communication and delivery
• You’ll be working in a high-spec pharma environment with genuine complexity
• You’ll be trusted to make decisions and supported when you do
  
  

If you’re looking to step into a role where you can take full commercial control on a serious project—and see the impact of your work clearly—this is well worth a conversation.

For more information on this role, or other Construction / Engineering opportunities across Ireland, the UK, Europe, or South Africa please review our careers page (Vacancies – Kirby Group Careers) or contact the Talent Acquisition Team at Kirby Group in confidence on [phone].

Kirby Group Engineering is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age.