Senior Quantity Surveyor

Are you a Senior Quantity Surveyor with strong experience managing multiple projects within rail infrastructure or civil engineering?
 
Do you have a solid understanding of NEC contracts, CVR, cost control and commercial reporting, with the ability to manage a high-volume workload across multiple live projects?
 
Would you be interested in joining a major, long-term Network Rail programme, with a strong pipeline of work through to 2034 and opportunities to progress towards Managing Quantity Surveyor level?
 
Location: Blackfriars, London + hybrid working (min 2 days in office)
Salary: £65,000 to £75,000 per annum DOE + £6,960 car allowance
Benefits:
·Company Car scheme
·25 days Annual Leave (and a day off for your birthday)
·Private Healthcare
·Pension and Life Assurance
·Hybrid working, typically 1-3 days per week in the office or on site
·Enhanced Paternity & Maternity package
 
Role Overview:
My client is looking to appoint an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor to join its commercial team, supporting the delivery of Electrification & Plant (E&P) works across the Southern Renewals Enterprise (SRE).
 
SRE is a £9bn, 10-year programme running from 2024 to 2034, transforming the delivery of rail renewals across Network Rail''s Southern region. As one of a small number of Project 13 enterprise agreements, the programme offers the opportunity to work within a collaborative delivery model, with a substantial pipeline of long-term infrastructure work.
 
The successful candidate will join the E&P commercial team, supporting either the distribution portfolio, valued at approximately £35m per year, or the feeders programme, valued at approximately £50m per year.
 
The distribution portfolio covers Kent, Sussex and Wessex, managing a high volume of individual projects and work banks across multiple live work fronts. This is a reporting-intensive environment, requiring strong organisation, accurate forecasting and the ability to manage competing priorities at pace.
 
The role will be based at Blackfriars, with an initial expectation of three days per week in the office. There is flexibility to reduce office attendance to between one and three days per week once established, provided you remain proactive, accessible and effective in managing your workload.
 
This is a permanent opportunity for an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor looking to develop their commercial career within a major rail programme, with a clear opportunity to progress towards Managing Quantity Surveyor level.
 
Key Responsibilities:
·Take responsibility for the commercial management and financial performance of multiple projects or packages, ensuring cost, value, risk and profitability are effectively controlled.
·Manage cost control, forecasting and commercial reporting, including Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR), cost plans, applications and final accounts.
·Produce accurate four-weekly forecasts and reporting for Network Rail, alongside internal commercial reporting requirements.
·Manage multiple live projects and work banks simultaneously, maintaining accurate records and ensuring reporting deadlines are consistently met.
·Draft and manage subcontracts, assess applications for payment, manage variations and support the resolution of commercial queries and disputes.
·Administer contracts in accordance with NEC requirements, ensuring contractual obligations, change control and governance processes are followed.
·Identify commercial risks and opportunities, challenge cost variances and work closely with operational teams to improve commercial performance.
·Engage with supply chain partners, supporting procurement, subcontract negotiations, payment assessments and effective cost management.
·Maintain accurate cost plans, financial logs, forecasts and supporting commercial documentation.
·Work closely with Project Managers, operational teams and wider commercial stakeholders to ensure effective communication and successful project delivery.
·Provide commercial advice and guidance to graduates, apprentices and less experienced Quantity Surveyors, supporting their ongoing development.
·Work independently, take ownership of your workload and proactively identify issues before they affect project performance.
 
Essential Requirements:
·Minimum of three to four years'' experience operating at Senior Quantity Surveyor level.
·Strong experience managing multiple projects or packages simultaneously within a fast-paced construction or infrastructure environment.
·A proven track record in high-volume project reporting, forecasting and commercial management.
·Strong understanding of Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR), cost control, forecasting and commercial performance.
·Experience drafting subcontracts, assessing applications for payment and managing contractual obligations.
·Good working knowledge of NEC contracts, with NEC4 Option A experience desirable. NEC4 Option E experience is also beneficial, although NEC3 experience will be considered.
·The ability to demonstrate genuine commercial understanding and confidently explain commercial principles.
·Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, maintain reporting accuracy and meet tight deadlines.
·A proactive, self-sufficient approach, with the confidence to work independently and take ownership of commercial responsibilities.
·Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, particularly when working alongside operational and delivery teams.
·Good IT proficiency, particularly with Microsoft Excel and SharePoint.
·A degree or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or a related discipline.
 
Desired Requirements:
·Previous experience within rail Electrification & Plant (E&P), particularly distribution or feeder projects.
·Experience working on Network Rail frameworks or within a high-volume, reactive infrastructure environment.
·A background in a main contractor environment, with an understanding of commercial governance, delegated authority and approval processes.
·Experience using COINS or similar cost management software.
·Familiarity with PayApps or similar payment systems.
·Experience mentoring graduates, apprentices or junior commercial staff.
·Professional membership of RICS, CICES or a similar recognised body, or actively working towards membership.
·A valid CSCS card and PTS card, although these can be obtained where required.
·Previous experience managing significant annual workloads across multiple projects, rather than focusing on a small number of individual high-value schemes.
 
This is an opportunity to join an established commercial team on a major, long-term Network Rail programme. If you have the commercial experience, technical understanding and organisational skills to manage a demanding, high-volume workload, this role offers long-term stability and the opportunity to develop towards Managing Quantity Surveyor level.
 
If you are interested in applying for this role, please email your CV to Brooke Stell at Carrington West or call (phone number removed) for a confidential discussion.