Senior Quantity Surveyor / Estimator
Location: Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex
Salary: £60,000–£75,000 per annum, depending on experience
Benefits: Company vehicle following successful completion of probation
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm
Start: Immediate start available, although we are happy to wait for the right candidate
Craig Construction Services is looking for an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor / Estimator to join our growing construction business.
This is a senior role reporting directly to the Managing Director and would suit someone who wants to be heavily involved across both the pre-construction and commercial sides of the business.
The role will be predominantly based from our Shoreham-by-Sea office, with regular visits to live and prospective projects across Sussex and the surrounding areas.
We deliver a broad range of work, including public-sector and framework projects, refurbishment, high-end residential schemes and larger multi-million-pound developments.
This is not a purely post-contract QS position. We are looking for someone who can play an active role in estimating, tendering, commercial management and business development, helping us secure new opportunities and manage projects commercially once they are live.
The Role
You will work closely with the Managing Director, Project Managers and wider delivery team across both pre-contract and post-contract activities.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Preparing estimates and tender submissions for projects of varying size and complexity
- Undertaking measurements, take-offs and detailed cost analysis
- Reviewing drawings, specifications, schedules of work and tender documentation
- Preparing subcontractor and supplier enquiry packages
- Analysing subcontractor quotations and tender returns
- Supporting subcontractor procurement, negotiation and package recommendations
- Working with Project Managers to develop tender programmes, preliminaries, logistics, sequencing and construction methodology
- Producing detailed tender build-ups and identifying commercial risks and opportunities
- Assisting with NEC4 and schedule-of-rates based tenders and projects
- Preparing valuations and applications for payment
- Managing and recording variations and change
- Preparing cost reports, forecasts and CVRs
- Monitoring project profitability, commercial risk and cash position
- Preparing subcontractor payment assessments and recommendations
- Supporting the preparation and negotiation of final accounts
- Maintaining accurate commercial records throughout the life of each project
- Reporting commercial performance directly to the Managing Director
- Attending client, consultant, subcontractor and pre-contract meetings as required
The role will have significant day-to-day commercial responsibility, however final authority for subcontract awards, payments and major commercial decisions will remain with the Managing Director.
Business Development
An important part of this position will be helping to grow the business and strengthen our forward order book.
You will be expected to:
- Identify suitable tender and project opportunities
- Develop and maintain relationships with clients, consultants and other industry contacts
- Follow up new enquiries and opportunities
- Attend tender interviews, pre-contract meetings and client meetings
- Assist with developing our tender pipeline and securing repeat business
- Work with the Managing Director to identify sectors and clients we should be targeting
We are looking for someone who is commercially minded and understands that a successful estimator/QS role is not simply about producing a price, but about helping convert opportunities into profitable projects.
Essential Experience and Qualifications
Applicants should have:
- Minimum 5 years’ experience within quantity surveying and/or construction estimating
- Demonstrable experience in both estimating and quantity surveying
- Formal qualification in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or a related construction discipline, such as Degree, HNC or HND
- Strong understanding of construction costs, procurement and commercial management
- Experience preparing tenders and detailed cost build-ups
- Experience with valuations, variations, cost reporting and final accounts
- Strong subcontractor procurement and negotiation skills
- Excellent Excel skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to confidently deal with clients, consultants, subcontractors and suppliers
- Full clean UK driving licence
Desirable Experience
The following would be advantageous but are not essential:
- Main contractor experience
- NEC4 experience
- Schedule-of-rates / framework contracting experience
- Experience across public-sector construction
- Experience with high-end residential and refurbishment projects
- Experience working on larger multi-million-pound construction projects
- Experience using estimating or quantity surveying software
- Experience with FONN, ASTA Powerproject or similar construction management systems
- RICS and/or CIOB membership
The Person
We are looking for someone who is commercially sharp, proactive and confident.
You will need to be comfortable challenging costs and negotiating when required, while also being able to build strong long-term relationships with clients and our supply chain.
You should be hands-on and willing to get into the detail rather than operating at arm's length. We want someone who can take ownership of their workload, identify problems early and bring solutions to the table.
The successful candidate will initially operate as a senior standalone member of the commercial team, reporting directly to the Managing Director.
As the business continues to grow, there will be genuine opportunity to help develop the commercial department, take on additional management responsibility and progress towards a Commercial Manager or wider senior commercial leadership position.
Salary: £60,000–£75,000 depending on experience, with a company vehicle following successful completion of probation.
Pay: £60,000.00-£75,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
