Senior Quantity Surveyor

Location: Oxfordshire
Sector: Civil Engineering – Highways
Employment Type: Permanent

About the Opportunity
Red Sky Personnel are recruiting on behalf of a leading civil engineering contractor delivering major infrastructure projects across the UK. This opportunity sits on a significant highways scheme in Didcot, requiring a commercially astute Senior Quantity Surveyor to take full ownership of the commercial function.

Key Requirement:
Proven experience delivering fully built highways/roads projects in the UK is essential.

Role Overview

Reporting to the Managing Quantity Surveyor, you will lead all commercial activities on a major highways project. This includes full cost control, subcontract management, contract administration, and value recovery, ensuring commercial performance and compliance across the lifecycle of the scheme.

Key Responsibilities

• Full commercial management of a major highways project

• Establish and manage project budgets, including cost coding structures

• Prepare, submit, and manage monthly applications for payment

• Monitor costs, forecast outturn, and report cost to completion

• Administer NEC contracts (preferably Option C), including compensation events

• Lead subcontract procurement, tendering, and contract negotiation

• Manage subcontractor accounts, payments, and issue resolution

• Carry out delay analysis and support loss & expense claims

• Ensure accurate and timely commercial reporting using internal systems

• Liaise with client representatives and internal stakeholders

• Manage and mentor junior commercial staff

• Attend and contribute to commercial and progress meetings

• Ensure cash flow forecasting and financial controls are maintained

Requirements

Essential:

• Degree or equivalent in Quantity Surveying or Commercial Management

• Demonstrable experience in a Senior QS role within heavy civils

• Strong background in fully built highways/roads projects

• Sound knowledge of NEC contracts (Option C preferred)

• Strong commercial acumen with cost control and forecasting expertise

• Proven subcontract management and negotiation skills

• Experience in claims, delay analysis, and loss & expense

Desirable:

• Professional accreditation (MRICS / MCICES or similar)

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership and team management capability

• Clear and confident communication skills

• Client-facing and commercially focused mindset

• Effective planning and organisational ability

• High level of attention to detail and accountability

• Proactive problem-solving and decision-making

Package

• Competitive salary

• Car allowance

• Pension

• Private medical cover

• Life assurance