Job Description

 

Commercial Quantity Surveyor

 

Reports To: Head of Commercial Sales

Location: Wellingborough, Northamptonshire

Job Purpose

 

To take ownership of the day-to-day commercial and financial control of projects, ensuring client applications, payments, subcontractor procurement and commitments, project margins, forecasts and final accounts are accurately managed and delivered on time.

 

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Review client contracts and commercial requirements, identifying key payment terms, notice periods, risks, opportunities and obligations before and during each project.

Take ownership of preparing, submitting and administering applications for payment, ensuring each application is accurate, fully supported and submitted in line with the contract.

Where projects require subcontracted works, lead the tendering and procurement of subcontract packages. This includes issuing scopes, obtaining and evaluating quotations, negotiating commercial terms and appointing subcontractors, with formal orders placed before work begins.

Manage payment notices and application queries, negotiating where appropriate to maximise certified value and ensuring outstanding points are resolved promptly.

Track payments due under contracts and proactively chase overdue amounts, escalating issues where necessary and working closely with Accounts to improve cash collection.

Maintain accurate project cost, value and commitment information, including subcontractor tenders, orders and variations, to provide a clear and current view of project profitability and committed cost.

Prepare and maintain project forecasts covering anticipated costs, revenue, margin and cash position, and provide clear commercial reports to the management team.

Monitor project gross profit margins against budget and forecast, investigate variances and identify risks or opportunities early enough for management action.

Lead the commercial close-out of projects, including final account negotiations, retention recovery and reconciliation of client and subcontractor accounts.

 

Experience

Essential: Demonstrable experience in a commercial, quantity surveying, project cost control or similar role, ideally with responsibility for multiple live projects.

Desirable: Previous experience in construction, manufacturing or a related project environment, particularly working with clients and subcontractors and managing subcontract procurement.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential: Strong commercial and analytical skills, with the ability to understand project financial performance and act on variances.

Essential: A high level of Excel and Microsoft Office capability, with confidence working with project cost and financial information.

Essential: Excellent attention to detail and a methodical approach to applications, payment notices, orders, forecasting and final accounts.

Essential: Good negotiation and influencing skills, particularly when dealing with clients, subcontractors and commercial queries.

Essential: Effective time management and prioritisation, with the ability to manage multiple live projects and deadlines.

Essential: Clear and confident communication skills when working with site teams, client quantity surveyors, subcontractors, Accounts and senior management.

Desirable: A relevant quantity surveying, commercial, construction or business qualification. Practical experience and commercial capability will also be considered.

 

Personal Attributes

A strong work ethic, personal ownership and a collaborative approach.

Commercially minded, proactive and comfortable challenging information where required.

Able to build natural rapport with external customers and internal stakeholders while maintaining a practical, solutions-focused approach.