Managing Quantity Surveyor

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,…