Senior Quantity Surveyor

Leighs Construction; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Leighs Construction is seeking an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor to join our Canterbury-based commercial team on a significant PPP infrastructure project. The role begins office-based in Christchurch and transitions to Templeton site work as delivery progresses.

You will oversee procurement, subcontractor management, change control, cost forecasting and overall project financial performance, mentoring junior QS staff and collaborating with clients and stakeholders to protect margins.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ relevant industry experience in quantity surveying.
• A recognised and relevant professional Quantity Surveying qualification.
• Significant experience working on large-scale commercial construction or major infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of construction contracts, procurement, subcontractor management, cost control and change management.

Responsibilities

• Managing project commercial documentation and preparing accurate financial reporting, including progress claims, forecasts, final accounts and labour analysis.
• Developing and managing project budgets, cash flow and financial performance, ensuring commercial outcomes and project margins are effectively managed.
• Establishing and delivering procurement plans, including subcontractor and supplier negotiations, tender evaluation and subcontract recommendations.
• Managing subcontractor commercial performance, including payment claims, variations, contractual instructions, charges and final accounts.
• Managing project changes and variations, ensuring commercial and contractual entitlements are appropriately identified, documented and progressed.
• Monitoring project costs against budget and forecast, identifying commercial risks and opportunities and implementing appropriate actions.
• Working closely with project leadership, clients, consultants, subcontractors and other key stakeholders to support successful project delivery.
• Providing commercial input into project decision-making and ensuring appropriate financial and contractual controls are maintained.
• Providing supervision, mentoring and guidance to intermediate and junior Quantity Surveyors while demonstrating Leighs’ leadership values and expectations.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Forecasting

Budgeting

Contract knowledge

Risk management

Leadership

Education

Professional Quantity Surveying qualification

Job description

Leighs Construction is a New Zealand-owned and operated company that has been providing high-quality outcomes for our clients, people, and communities for over 30 years. With an inclusive company culture and an iconic project portfolio throughout New Zealand, the wider Pacific, and Antarctica, we are proud to deliver innovative, safe structures that leave a lasting legacy.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor to join our high-performing commercial team working on one of New Zealand’s most significant and technically demanding construction projects currently in delivery.

About the project

The wider programme is being delivered under a Public Private Partnership (PPP), bringing together leading construction, engineering, and service delivery organisations to deliver infrastructure that will serve New Zealand for generations.

Initially office-based in Christchurch, the role will transition to a site-based position in Templeton from the final quarter of this year, placing you at the heart of the project as it moves further into its critical delivery phase.

The facility is a landmark piece of national infrastructure, designed for continuous 24/7 operation and incorporating highly controlled environments, complex and integrated building systems, and stringent long-term asset performance requirements.

For a Senior Quantity Surveyor, this is an opportunity to take a key commercial role within a significant and complex project environment, working across procurement, subcontractor management, change management, cost control, forecasting and overall project financial performance.

As a Senior Quantity Surveyor, you will be responsible for:

• Managing project commercial documentation and preparing accurate financial reporting, including progress claims, forecasts, final accounts and labour analysis.
• Developing and managing project budgets, cash flow and financial performance, ensuring commercial outcomes and project margins are effectively managed.
• Establishing and delivering procurement plans, including subcontractor and supplier negotiations, tender evaluation and subcontract recommendations.
• Managing subcontractor commercial performance, including payment claims, variations, contractual instructions, charges and final accounts.
• Managing project changes and variations, ensuring commercial and contractual entitlements are appropriately identified, documented and progressed.
• Monitoring project costs against budget and forecast, identifying commercial risks and opportunities and implementing appropriate actions.
• Working closely with project leadership, clients, consultants, subcontractors and other key stakeholders to support successful project delivery.
• Providing commercial input into project decision-making and ensuring appropriate financial and contractual controls are maintained.
• Providing supervision, mentoring and guidance to intermediate and junior Quantity Surveyors while demonstrating Leighs’ leadership values and expectations.

About you

You will be an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor with strong commercial acumen and the confidence to operate within a large and complex project environment.

You will bring sound contractual and financial knowledge, strong attention to detail and the ability to identify and manage commercial risk. Just as importantly, you will be a collaborative leader who can build effective relationships across the project team, subcontractors, consultants and other key stakeholders.

You will be proactive, solutions focused and comfortable taking ownership of significant commercial workstreams within a fast-paced project environment.

Qualifications, skills and experience

• Minimum 10+ years’ relevant industry experience in quantity surveying.
• A recognised and relevant professional Quantity Surveying qualification.
• Significant experience working on large-scale commercial construction or major infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of construction contracts, procurement, subcontractor management, cost control and change management.
• Strong forecasting capability, including the ability to assess future project costs, revenue, cash flow and commercial exposure.
• Sound commercial acumen, including financial analysis, negotiation and risk management.
• Proven ability to identify, manage and communicate commercial risks and opportunities.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships with clients, consultants, subcontractors and project stakeholders.
• Experience supporting, mentoring or developing other Quantity Surveyors.

What we offer

Joining Leighs means being part of a stable, privately owned business that is passionate about growth and our people.

We are committed to your development and wellbeing, ensuring you Work Safe, Home Safe, and Thrive at Leighs. You’ll work alongside a passionate, proud and dedicated team focused on making construction a better and more enjoyable place to work.

For an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor, this is an opportunity to play a meaningful commercial role on a major, technically complex infrastructure project and gain experience that will stand out across your career.

What now?

To be considered for this position, applicants must have New Zealand residency or hold a valid New Zealand work visa. All employees must complete a pre-employment medical check, including drug and alcohol testing, and undergo a criminal history check with the Ministry of Justice.

Please note, Leighs is conducting a comprehensive recruitment process for this position, and we are not considering agency referrals at this time.