Job Description:

Senior Quantity Surveyor – Civil Engineering

Location: Various Thames Projects, West and North London
Pay Rate: £525–£575 per day (Umbrella)
Contract Type: Freelance / Agency
Working Hours: Full-time, 42.5 hours per week

The Opportunity

We are currently seeking an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor (SQS) to join a leading national civil infrastructure contractor on a freelance basis, supporting major civil engineering and infrastructure projects across West and North London.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially astute Senior Quantity Surveyor with a strong background in civils, utilities or water infrastructure. The successful candidate will play a key role in managing project commercial performance, driving cost efficiency and ensuring effective contractual and financial control.

Candidates should have substantial experience operating at Senior Quantity Surveyor level, ideally with around five years' experience in a similar role.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Management

• Lead the commercial management of civil engineering projects, ensuring effective cost control and contractual compliance.

• Prepare and maintain monthly Cost Value Reconciliations (CVRs), forecasts, cost plans and commercial reports.

• Provide accurate cost and value reporting to project teams and senior management.

• Monitor project financial performance, cash flow and commercial risks.

Contract and Subcontract Management

• Manage main contracts and subcontract agreements, particularly under NEC forms of contract.

• Lead subcontract procurement, tendering, negotiation and post-contract administration.

• Manage applications for payment through to final account settlement.

• Identify, manage and mitigate commercial and contractual risks.

• Maximise value through effective procurement and supply chain management.

Project and Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with Project Managers, site teams and senior commercial management.

• Liaise with clients, client representatives and subcontractors on commercial matters.

• Provide commercial advice and support to operational teams.

• Support and mentor junior commercial staff, sharing best practice and promoting effective cost management.

About You

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience working at Senior Quantity Surveyor level within the construction industry.

• Strong experience in civil engineering, utilities or water infrastructure projects.

• Good knowledge of NEC contracts and open-book commercial arrangements.

• Experience of design-and-build civil engineering projects.

• Strong understanding of construction law and contractual risk management.

• Proven ability to manage subcontract procurement, valuations, payment certificates, accruals and final accounts.

• Experience preparing monthly forecasts, CVRs and detailed cost analysis.

• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to work to tight deadlines.

• Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying or an equivalent relevant qualification.

Desirable

• Membership of RICS or another relevant professional body, or working towards membership.

• Valid CSCS card.

• Experience working for a direct delivery contractor.

• Experience in estimating and commercial planning.

Key Details at a Glance

Role: Senior Quantity Surveyor

Sector: Civil Engineering / Utilities / Water

Location: West and North London – Thames Projects

Rate: £525–£575 per day Umbrella

Hours: 42.5 per week

Experience: Approximately five years at Senior Quantity Surveyor level preferred

How to Apply

If you have strong Senior Quantity Surveyor experience within civil engineering, utilities or water infrastructure and are available for a freelance opportunity in London, we would welcome your application.