Senior Quantity Surveyor

Volkerrail Group; Chichester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure company in the UK is seeking a Senior Quantity Surveyor to manage commercial performance on projects in West Sussex. The ideal candidate will ensure effective cost control and contract management, oversee procurement activities, and maintain strong relationships with clients and subcontractors. Applicants should have an accredited qualification and experience in highways or civil engineering. The role includes excellent benefits such as private medical care and competitive annual leave.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual leave plus birthday off

Private medical care

Pension

Life Assurance

Cycle to Work scheme

Employee Assistance programme

Mental and physical health support

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a QS/Senior QS within highways or civil engineering.
• Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts and term maintenance arrangements.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial activity on allocated projects.
• Maintain robust records of site activities and variations.
• Prepare monthly CVRs and forecasts.
• Manage procurement activities and develop procurement schedules.
• Mentor junior surveyors and ensure effective communication.

Skills

Excellent communication

Negotiation

Leadership skills

Commercial awareness

Analytical skills

Subcontract management

Proficiency in Causeway

MS Office proficiency

Collaborative team culture

Education

Accredited qualification with RICS, CIOB or ICES

Relevant degree/HND

Job description

VolkerHighways is a market leader in the delivery of highways and street lighting term maintenance contracts. We build strong collaborative relationships with our clients to drive improvements and efficiency in all our activities.

We have the capability to deliver major surfacing and public realm infrastructure projects. Our specialist in-house traffic management division provides expert advice and support across the industry, whilst assisting with our own, in-house contracts.

We now have an excellent opportunity for a Senior Quantity Surveyor to support commercial performance across our projects in West Sussex, ensuring effective cost control, contract management, and strong relationships with clients and supply chain partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial & Cost Management: Lead commercial activity on allocated projects, ensuring accurate forecasting, cost/value reporting, and cashflow management.
• Maintain robust records of site activities, variations, valuations, risk, and opportunities.
• Prepare monthly CVRs, forecasts, accruals, liabilities, and revenue reports.
• Ensure subcontract payments and main contract payments are processed accurately and on time.
• Protect VolkerHighways’ commercial interests through proactive contract administration.

• Procurement & Subcontract Management: Manage procurement activities, including developing procurement schedules with the Project Manager.
• Prepare high-quality subcontract documentation with clear scopes, responsibilities, and expectations.
• Oversee accurate measurement of works, manage subcontract instructions, variations, contra-charges, and account settlements.
• Ensure compliance with commercial policy and all contractual notice requirements.

• Project & Team Support: Work closely with the Project Manager and site team to ensure commercial awareness and adherence to processes.
• Mentor, guide, and support junior surveyors and wider project staff.
• Ensure effective communication, participation in internal reviews, and timely action closure.

• Client & Consultant Interface: Maintain professional, productive relationships with clients, designers, and consultants.
• Issue and manage client instructions, reporting formats, valuations, and forecast updates.
• Ensure excellent client service, clear communication, and proper authorisation before additional works commence.

• Construction Phase Support: Ensure commercial involvement in programme planning and contractual considerations.
• Support design management and consultant deliverables, ensuring timely information and compliance.
• Attend design and project meetings, raising issues that impact cost or programme.

• Health, Safety, Environment & Quality: Support adherence to VolkerHighways’ HSEQ policies across all subcontract and project activities.
• Promote a safe working culture and ensure all staff understand their responsibilities.

• Post-Construction: Assist in final account closure, subcontract settlements, retention recovery, and project archiving.
• Manage defects resolution with subcontractors and oversee close-out obligations.

About you

We’re looking for an experienced and commercially strong Senior Quantity Surveyor who can lead commercial functions across complex projects. You will bring:

Experience & Qualifications

• Accredited qualification with RICS, CIOB or ICES, or relevant degree/HND.
• Proven experience as a QS/Senior QS within highways or civil engineering.
• Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts and term maintenance arrangements.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent communication, negotiation and leadership skills.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to analyse costs, manage risks, and maximise value.
• Experience in subcontract management and procurement.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and support a collaborative team culture.
• Proficiency in Causeway and Microsoft Office systems.
• A proactive, professional, and solutions-focused approach.

If your past experience doesn’t match perfectly with every requirement of the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for us.

Why work with us?

VolkerHighways is under the umbrella of VolkerWessels UK which is a multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across the civil engineering and construction sectors including rail, highways, airport, marine, energy, water, and environmental infrastructure.

By utilising the specialist skills of each business unit within VolkerWessels UK, VolkerHighways are able to ensure our staff provide unrivalled resources and expertise to our clients.

We offer competitive rewards and benefits, recognising the value we place on our employees.

We offer a range of benefits, including:

• Competitive salary
• Competitive annual leave and an additional day off on your birthday
• Option to buy additional annual leave
• Private medical care
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts
• Training and development opportunities-comprehensive skills-based training
• Family friendly polices including enhanced maternity benefits
• Employee Assistance programme
• Mental health, physical health, and financial support
• 24/7 Virtual GP service

Fairness, inclusion and respect

We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that, whatever their background, VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive.

If you need support with your application, please contact us at [e-mail]

Additional information

Note for Recruitment Agencies:

Our preference is to hire directly, and we will reach out to our Preferred Supplier List (PSL) agencies if this particular role qualifies for release.

We kindly request that you refrain from sending speculative CVs. In the event of speculative CV submissions, no fees will be applicable, and we kindly ask that all inquiries to be directed to [e-mail]

VolkerWessels UK is committed to maintaining healthy, safe and productive working conditions for its entire staff and therefore a drugs & alcohol screening is mandatory for all.