Principal Quantity Surveyor

Location

This role will initially be based in Bradford but we’re moving our office to Leeds Valley Park in summer 2026, so you’ll be based there in the future. Hybrid working: 2 days in the office a week – Bradford/Leeds. Other days will consist of a mix of site visits, working in consultant and contractor offices, and working from home.

Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Quantity Surveyor to join the Capital Project team at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers.

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year.

We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity.

New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. The Capital Project team are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators. Join a high-impact role where you’ll shape the commercial success of major infrastructure projects from day one.

As a key commercial leader, you’ll influence strategy, drive value, and work at the heart of a collaborative, multi‑disciplinary team delivering critical capital programmes.

• Be the trusted commercial partner to the Senior Project Manager and project team, influencing decisions from concept through to completion.
• Shape and drive commercial strategy, ensuring projects are set up for success from day one.
• Provide expert advice on contract strategy, procurement routes, risk allocation, and cost management, aligned with best practice and regulatory requirements.
• Take the lead in building strong, productive relationships with delivery partners and consultants.
• Own and drive project budgets, forecasts, and cost plans across every stage of the project lifecycle.
• Champion robust cost control and change management, always ensuring financial discipline.
• Deliver maximum value for money through smart cost challenge, innovative thinking, and strategic decision‑making—without compromising on safety, quality, or performance.
• Lead the commercial management of key contracts (NEC, IChemE, or similar), including early warnings, compensation events, and final accounts.
• Proactively identify and manage risks and opportunities, ensuring projects stay on track commercially.
• Play a key role in resolving commercial issues and supporting dispute avoidance.
• Ensure full compliance with commercial policies, governance frameworks, and regulatory expectations.
• Produce and present high‑quality commercial reports and forecasts to senior stakeholders and governance forums.
• Support audits and provide assurance, helping maintain transparency and accountability across the programme.
• Work as part of a multi‑disciplinary team, collaborating with PMO, engineering, planning, procurement, and delivery partners, and mentor and support junior commercial colleagues.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by enhancing commercial processes, tools, and ways of working.

• A significant experience operating in a Senior or Principal Quantity Surveyor role, ideally within large‑scale infrastructure or regulated utilities environments.
• A strong understanding of capital delivery frameworks within the UK water sector or similarly regulated industries.
• In‑depth knowledge of contract forms (NEC preferred) and commercial management best practice.
• Proven ability to manage complex project budgets, change control processes, and commercial risk effectively.
• Excellent…