Quantity Surveyor / Senior Quantity Surveyor – Heavy Subcontract Management (Rail & Civil Infrastructure)
Reference: QS/SQSx2
Type: Contract
Location: Coventry, England - Hybrid - 3 days per week on site
Industry: Engineering
Salary: £400.00 - £480.00 per day + Inside IR35
Description:
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Quantity Surveyor / Senior Quantity Surveyor with strong expertise in heavy subcontract management on major rail and civil engineering infrastructure projects. The role will focus on the commercial and contractual management of complex subcontract packages within large-scale infrastructure delivery environments.
You will be responsible for ensuring robust cost control, effective subcontract procurement and administration, accurate forecasting, and proactive risk and change management across multiple high-value work packages.
Key Responsibilities
Subcontract Commercial Management
- Lead end-to-end management of subcontract packages from procurement through to final account
- Prepare, negotiate, and administer NEC / bespoke subcontract agreements (e.g., NEC3/NEC4)
- Manage subcontractor payments, applications for payment, and valuations
- Assess and certify variations, compensation events, and change orders
Cost Control & Reporting
- Maintain accurate cost forecasts, CVRs, and financial reporting for assigned packages
- Monitor subcontractor performance against budget, programme, and scope
- Identify commercial risks and implement mitigation strategies
- Support project commercial strategy and margin protection
Procurement & Tendering
- Lead subcontract procurement strategies in coordination with project teams
- Prepare tender documentation, evaluate returns, and negotiate terms
- Ensure compliance with client requirements and contractual frameworks
Contract Administration
- Manage contractual correspondence, notices, and records in line with NEC requirements
- Ensure strict compliance with change control procedures
- Support dispute avoidance and resolution processes where required
Stakeholder Management
- Liaise with project managers, engineers, planners, and client representatives
- Build and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors and suppliers
- Provide commercial guidance to operational teams
Risk & Change Management
- Identify commercial and contractual risks early and escalate appropriately
- Manage change events and ensure proper entitlement capture
- Support claims preparation and defence when necessary
Essential Requirements
- Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or related discipline
- Proven experience in heavy subcontract management on major rail and/or civil engineering projects
- Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts (NEC3 and/or NEC4 essential)
- Experience with large infrastructure clients (e.g. Network Rail or Tier 1 contractors)
- Strong commercial acumen with proven CVR and cost control experience
- Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to manage multiple subcontract packages concurrently
Desirable Experience
- Experience on rail infrastructure, tunnelling, highways, or large-scale civil engineering projects
- Familiarity with compensation event management in NEC environments
- Experience working for Tier 1 contractors or joint ventures
- Working towards or holding RICS membership (MRICS/FRICS)
Key Competencies
- Strong analytical and financial reporting skills
- High attention to detail in contract administration
- Confident communicator and negotiator
- Proactive problem solver with commercial awareness
- Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced project environment
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.