SenioR Quantity Surveyor

Leading with Expertise

Driving Commercial Strategy and Project Excellence

A senior quantity surveyor at Kent Construction Consultants leads the pre-construction and delivery stages of contracts, ensuring financial oversight and strategic input across all phases of a project. From feasibility through to final account, they manage cost planning, value engineering, tendering, procurement, and contract administration - all while advising clients, contractors, and stakeholders on commercial, legal, and contractual matters.

With a blend of technical skill and leadership, the senior quantity surveyor takes ownership of commercial deliverables and ensures projects remain on budget, on time, and aligned with client expectations.

Strategic Oversight

Balancing Delivery, Leadership and Business Development

Senior quantity surveyors monitor project progress, validate contractor claims, approve payments, and manage change control procedures in line with contract terms. They collaborate closely with site teams, clients, and professional consultants to keep works moving smoothly and cost-effectively.

As team leaders, they are responsible for guiding and developing junior colleagues, reviewing documentation, maintaining quality standards (including ISO 9001 compliance), and ensuring resource schedules and project milestones are met. Senior QSs also play a role in business development — drafting fee proposals, engaging new clients, attending networking events, and promoting Kent’s services in the market.

With visibility at director level, they act as both project lead and ambassador for the business — embodying the firm’s professionalism, integrity, and commitment to client satisfaction.

Shaping Standards

Skills, Experience and Qualifications That Define a Senior QS

Senior quantity surveyors must lead by example — technically, commercially and professionally. They are expected to actively contribute to the business by delivering internal CPD sessions, mentoring others, and supporting continuous improvement across the team.

They must possess a high level of commercial acumen, deep knowledge of construction and contracts, and the confidence to represent the business in client meetings, pitches, and project negotiations. Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills are essential.

Candidates must hold a degree in quantity surveying, construction science, or construction management (or a related field), be chartered (MRICS or MCIOB), and have substantial, proven industry experience.

Key Responsibilities

Typical duties include:

  • Preparing NRM1 Cost Plans, NRM2 Bills of Quantities, and life cycle costing

  • Leading commercial strategy through all RIBA stages

  • Managing the appointment of designers and consultants

  • Recommending procurement routes and delivering full tender processes

  • Leading DTMs, progress meetings, interviews, and pre-starts

  • Overseeing contract management using JCT, NEC, and framework agreements

  • Preparing cost reports, CVRs, valuations, and payment certifications

  • Managing risk, variation and change control in line with contract conditions

  • Reviewing cash flow forecasts and aligning financial plans to programme

  • Administering contracts and issuing relevant notices

  • Managing client, contractor and subcontractor relationships

  • Reviewing team deliverables and documentation prior to issue

  • Drafting and submitting fee proposals and bid documents in collaboration with directors

  • Representing the firm at networking events and generating new business opportunities

  • Leading internal workshops, CPD events and mentoring junior staff

  • Managing team workload and resource schedules

  • Implementing process improvements and delegating project tasks

  • Using digital measurement tools such as Bluebeam, CostX or Causeway

Key Requirements

Typical qualifications, skills, and attributes include:

  • Strong analytical, commercial and critical thinking skills

  • Extensive experience in construction finance, estimating and cost management

  • Deep understanding of construction methods, procurement, and contract law

  • Excellent negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills

  • Clear and confident communication, both written and verbal

  • Strong organisational and leadership abilities

  • Proven track record in a senior or lead QS role

  • Degree-qualified in quantity surveying, construction science, or a related discipline

  • Chartered status (MRICS or MCIOB)

  • Minimum of 48 hours CPD annually, including delivery of internal sessions

  • Experience managing teams and developing junior professionals

  • Active participation in business development and client engagement

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Senior Quantity Surveyor