Senior Civil Quantity Surveyor | Commercial Leader

Carmichael are seeking an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor with a background in civils to join the based in Peterborough.

The Senior Quantity Surveyor is an integral member of the project team, providing commercial leadership and support to project delivery teams and senior management. The role is critical in driving cost efficiency, delivering high‑quality commercial analysis and ensuring effective risk and opportunity management across civil engineering projects.

Role Purpose

To lead and manage the commercial performance of projects, ensuring robust cost control, accurate reporting, effective cash management and strong contractual compliance. The role actively identifies and realises commercial opportunities while protecting the business from commercial risk and supporting continuous improvement in commercial practices.

Key Accountabilities

Commercial Management & Governance

• Provide accurate and timely cost and value reporting at the project and business unit level
• Ensure compliance with internal commercial processes and reporting time frames
• Actively seek opportunities to improve commercial procedures and controls
• Support group and business unit reporting requirements

Financial Performance

• Deliver accurate cash flow reporting and cash management
• Manage cost control and project forecasting
• Draft and update monthly CVRs, cost plans and commercial plans
• Compile upstream applications for payment
• Ensure expenditure and cash recovery align with business unit expectations
• Focus on driving value through subcontract procurement

Contract & Risk Management

• Manage main contract and subcontract agreements, primarily IChemE and NEC forms
• Ensure contracts align with corporate governance requirements, identifying and managing risks and opportunities
• Lead subcontract procurement, negotiation and post‑contract management
• Manage applications for payment through to final account settlement
• Protect the business from commercial and contractual risk

Leadership & Capability

• Share best practices and proactively advise site teams on cost management and efficiencies
• Support and guide junior commercial staff
• Demonstrate strong problem‑solving and decision‑making capability
• Actively develop professional competence and commercial expertise

Stakeholder Management

• Liaise with clients, client representatives and third parties on commercial matters
• Build and maintain strong supply chain relationships
• Work closely with the wider project team to manage commercial performance
• Act as a trusted commercial advisor to operational teams

Key Interfaces

• Commercial Manager / Managing Surveyor
• Project Managers and Project Teams
• Clients and Client Representatives
• Subcontractors and Supply Chain

About you

Essential

• Previous experience in the construction industry
• Familiarity with IChemE/ NEC forms of contract and knowledge and understanding of Construction Law
• Previous experience in commercial management and procurement of subcontractors, including chairing regular meetings, measurement and control cycle, certificates, and accruals calculations
• Demonstrable experience in monthly forecasting and cost analysis.
• Excellent communication, numeric and computer literacy skills, proficient in Microsoft Office
• Exemplary organisation and time management skills, with the ability to work effectively under tight deadlines

Desirable

• Member of RICS or other relevant professional body, or working towards
• CSCS card
• HND/degree (or equivalent) in Quantity Surveying
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience in estimation
• Experience working for a direct delivery contractor
• An engaging communicator with problem-solving skills