Note for Recruitment Agencies:
We prefer to hire directly and we will be in touch with our PSL Agencies if this role is eligible for release.
We do not accept speculative CVs from agencies. If speculative CVs are sent, no fee will be applicable – please direct all queries to the relevant Resourcing Partner.
Managing Quantity Surveyor – Environment
Location: Devon or Cornwall
An opportunity has arisen for a Managing Quantity Surveyor to join our high-performing team at Galliford Try. You'll work on our South West Water Framework within our Environment Division, supporting the delivery of capital maintenance works across multiple schemes of varying sizes.
Ideally you'll be based in or around Devon or Cornwall, with the opportunity to travel across sites and projects in the region.
What you will be doing:
Day-to-day, you'll work closely with Commercial and Operational leads on the commercial management of capital maintenance projects. We're looking for someone proactive and dynamic, able to drive commercial performance forward, hit budgeted financial goals, and instil robust risk management principles.
Part of your role will be developing the commercial team — leading and empowering people at varying levels, managing development and retention challenges, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and teamwork by drawing input from every team member.
You'll bring keen attention to detail to cost control, contract and change management, and maintaining a cash-positive position throughout. This includes:
Managing all commercial aspects of project delivery from tender through to final account, including producing commercial notices as required by the contract
Reviewing and monitoring costs continuously, managing change in line with the form of contract, including production and submission of Compensation Event Quotations
Managing subcontract works packages, including interim assessments of the amount due and subsequent change management
Leading on commercial risk management — identifying and mitigating risk before it bites
Producing, submitting, and agreeing monthly applications to the Client in accordance with the form of contract
Producing and presenting detailed monthly reports and Cost Valuation Reconciliations (CVRs) to the operating unit or project
Producing and maintaining a detailed Cost Plan, tracking and forecasting expenditure, including subcontractor liability schedules and Oracle-based cost analysis
Taking responsibility for business targets including cash, profit, return on capital, and sales
Managing and developing junior Quantity Surveyors within the operating unit
You will work closely with the Commercial Team and Project leads to ensure the right project controls are in place across all disciplines, reporting regularly to the Commercial Manager and preparing monthly commercial reports for the board within set deadlines (CVRs, Secured/Unsecured Forecast, Cash/WIP), flagging issues and risks as they arise.
Your role is an essential link in the supply chain — engaging and communicating effectively across key stakeholders, developing client relationships for repeat business and tenders, and collaborating with central service teams on people management and core process development. You'll bring flexibility, resilience, and the ability to influence and build relationships, with strong ethical standards, openness, and honesty throughout.
You will be responsible for the health and safety of yourself and others, helping build a safe, collaborative environment that supports our Health, Safety and Environment culture.
About you:
Professional qualification such as MCIOB or MRICS (Incorporated member or working towards full membership desirable)
Relevant degree and/or experience in a construction/engineering environment (water sector experience or strong interest preferred)
Solid knowledge of the construction process, having worked across large single or multiple smaller schemes
Strong commercial awareness and technical knowledge, fully versed in standard forms of contract, with experience estimating from first principles — particularly NEC3/4
Confident using Contractual and Cost Management Systems (CEMAR, Oracle), plus strong Excel and Word skills
CSCS card, appropriate to role
Excellent team player, confident communicating and influencing at all levels, building strong collaborative relationships with stakeholders
Organised, structured, and professional, with a genuine passion for delivering the best outcome
A self-starter with a can-do attitude, resilient, flexible, and committed to working together to achieve results
What We Can Offer in Return:
With an impressive order book of over £4.1 billion we are one of the industry’s leading principal contractors, affording you the opportunity to work on some of the UK’s most exciting projects offering you stability as well as the chance to stretch your capabilities and realise long held career goals. You will be joining diverse teams working at a high professional level with exceptional levels of commitment. With an ambitious strategy, we’re poised for further growth and success, so if you’re committed, talented and enthusiastic, Galliford Try is the right place for you. We are committed to maintaining the physical and mental wellbeing of all our people, through our ‘Be Well’ programme which offers discounts on certain products, advice and support for a range of issues.
We invest in high-quality training for employees of all levels, from our leadership development framework to our apprenticeship programmes. Through our Career Paths initiative, individuals receive tailored training and support to fulfil their potential.
Our benefits:
We put our people first and our benefits package reflects that by offering a comprehensive range of attractive options to help support your career on top of a competitive salary.
Generous holiday entitlement, increasing with years of service, plus the opportunity to purchase further holidays
A wide range of corporate discounts
Cycle to Work schemes
Comprehensive pension plan
Regular Save as You Earn share purchase scheme
Private medical scheme options are available for all salaried employees and our employee assistance programme also provides free 24/7 support to those who need it.
For more information on this role or to enquire about other positions available within our Environment business please contact Ryan De Stadler on [email protected]
Additional Information:
Galliford Try welcomes applications from candidates who would like to work full-time, reduced hours or flexibly and this will be discussed in more detail as part of the recruitment process.
We encourage you and would be grateful if you could confirm any requirements we can reasonably fulfil to make this application a positive experience for you.
Don’t meet every requirement of the role? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Galliford Try, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement of the role, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
As a Disability Confident employer, we have committed to offer an interview to any candidate with a long-term health condition or disability that meet the essential criteria for the advertised position. Please contact the Resourcing Partner listed within the job advert if you believe this applies to you. We will also take the opportunity to discuss any adjustments required for your interview
Galliford Try is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.
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