Senior Quantity Surveyor - Defence & Infrastructure

Company Description

At Turner & Townsend, we are passionate about making the difference. That means delivering better outcomes for our clients, helping our people to realize their potential, and doing our part to create a prosperous society. Every day we help our major global clients deliver ambitious and highly technical projects, in over 110 offices worldwide.

The National Security & Defence Infrastructure Cost Centre provides support to projects that range in complexity and size with our service offerings spanning across Programme and Project Management, Project Planning, Cost Engineering, Risk Management, and Commercial Disciplines. We provide support to the full project lifecycle both pre‑contract and post‑contract, delivering infrastructure projects on behalf of our clients that range from several hundred thousand pounds in value to major projects and programmes worth over £200M.

Due to growing client requirements, we are actively looking to expand the team and have talented individuals join us who will support our NS & Defence client portfolio, whilst further developing their career, working on a range of complex and challenging commissions.

Merseyside (4 days per week on client site)

Ability to travel for future project work across other sites

We are seeking experienced Quantity Surveyors with a strong background in major construction, infrastructure, or civils projects to join our team delivering high‑profile programmes for a leading UK infrastructure client in the ports and logistics sector and other key clients. This role offers an exciting opportunity to apply your commercial and technical expertise on complex infrastructure projects while building a pathway into the UK Defence sector.

You will work in a collaborative environment that values innovation, professional growth, and excellence.

If you have experience in cost management, estimating, quantity surveying or contract administration within large‑scale infrastructure or civils projects, and you’re looking to broaden your career into Defence, this is the ideal next step.

• Provide expert commercial advice on major infrastructure projects.
• Lead procurement activities, including tendering and evaluation, through to contract award.
• Develop negotiation strategies and robust contractual terms.
• Manage change control processes and contractual amendments.
• Engage with diverse stakeholders including clients, contractors, and designers.

• Prepare and review cost estimates for infrastructure works.
• Develop pricing models and cost plans aligned to project scope and risk.
• Support benchmarking and cost intelligence activities.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure cost‑effective solutions.

• Administer contracts including valuations, change control, and final accounts.
• Monitor project costs and performance against budget using recognised tools.
• Prepare and present cost reports and forecasts to clients.
• Ensure compliance with NEC3/NEC4, JCT, and other relevant forms of contract.

• Proven experience in quantity surveying or commercial management within major construction, infrastructure, or civils projects.
• Strong understanding of procurement, contract placement, and post‑award management.
• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Experience with NEC and JCT contracts.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

• Awareness of UK Government procurement frameworks (QDC, DSPCR, PCR).
• Professional qualification (RICS, CICES, CIPS) or working towards it.
• Proficiency in cost management software (for example CostX, CATO, Excel).
• Experience in bid writing or evaluation techniques.

• Ability to travel to client sites across the UK.
• Must be a sole British citizen and reside in the UK.
• Willingness to undergo and maintain UK Security Clearance.

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.

We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work‑life balance.

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Please find out more about us at