Managing Quantity Surveyor

GirlingJones; New Jersey; Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

£7500 car allowance

Private healthcare

Pension & life assurance

25 days annual leave plus birthday off

Enhanced parental benefits

Long-term career progression

Job summary

A regional civil engineering firm is looking for a Managing Quantity Surveyor to own commercial aspects of highways and infrastructure projects across the South West. This role involves leading a commercial team, managing NEC contracts, and ensuring project delivery. Ideal candidates will possess strong NEC contract knowledge, experience in regional civil engineering, and a degree in Quantity Surveying. The position offers a competitive salary, a £7500 car allowance, and a hybrid working model.

Qualifications

• Min 5 years as a Managing Quantity Surveyor in civil engineering.
• Experience working on regional highways projects.
• Professional membership desirable, not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial delivery across multiple highways projects.
• Manage NEC contracts ensuring robust governance.
• Drive CVRs, forecasting, and reporting.
• Develop and mentor commercial team members.
• Develop and mentor commercial team members.

Skills

Strong NEC contract knowledge

Experience delivering highways or infrastructure projects

Experience managing or mentoring junior QS staff

Proactive, solutions-focused mindset

Confidence working directly with clients

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying or similar

Job description

Managing Quantity Surveyor – Regional Civil Engineering | Highways & Infrastructure

The Opportunity

We’re looking for an experienced Managing Quantity Surveyor to take commercial ownership of regional highways and infrastructure schemes across the South West. This role sits within a growing self-delivery civil engineering business delivering regional highways and infrastructure projects for:

• Local Authorities
• National Highways
• Private Developers
• Tier 1 Main Contractors

Based from Taunton, this is an opportunity to lead commercially across a strong portfolio of work while helping shape the continued growth of the region.

The Business

This regional civil engineering arm delivers:

• Highways new build schemes
• Public realm and urban infrastructure
• Framework packages
• Bridges and Structures

Projects range from reactive works through to larger infrastructure schemes exceeding £10m, with a healthy and growing pipeline across the South West.

The Role

As Managing Quantity Surveyor, you will take commercial ownership of a portfolio of self-delivered highways and Civils schemes, working closely with operational teams to drive performance, margin and governance. With a regional turnover of circa £20m, you’ll lead and support a commercial team (Assistant QS to Senior QS level) and play a key role in strengthening commercial discipline across the region.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading commercial delivery across multiple highways projects
• Managing NEC contracts and ensuring robust governance
• Driving CVRs, forecasting and reporting
• Proactive risk and opportunity management
• Supporting bid input and pricing where required
• Developing and mentoring commercial team members
• Working collaboratively with delivery teams and key clients

You’ll typically operate in a hybrid pattern, spending around 3 days on site or in Taunton and 2 days from home, depending on project demands.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a commercially capable Managing Quantity Surveyor with a background in regional civil engineering and highways.

You’ll bring:

• Strong NEC contract knowledge
• Experience delivering highways or infrastructure projects
• Experience managing or mentoring junior QS staff
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset
• Confidence working directly with clients and operational teams
• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying or similar
• Professional membership desirable but not essential

You’ll be comfortable operating with autonomy while still being part of a structured and supportive regional team.
What’s On Offer

• Competitive salary (based on experience)
• £7500 car Allowance
• Private healthcare
• Pension & life assurance
• 25 days annual leave plus birthday off
• Hybrid working
• Enhanced parental benefits
• Long-term career progression within a growing highways business

Why This Role?

If you’re a commercially strong MQS ready to step into broader responsibility within regional civil engineering — without jumping into corporate layers — this is a serious South West opportunity.