Managing Quantity Surveyor

Wessex Water Services Ltd provides water and sewerage services to 29 million customers across the south west of England. Our Sustainable Operations and Engineering (SOE) business is responsible for designing and building the infrastructure for our services, including water treatment and recycling works, pipelines and reservoirs. SOE uses the national construction supply chain as well as its own in-house contractor to deliver this major programme of work.

The position

A new opportunity has become available for a Managing Quantity Surveyor within the SOE Commercial team. This team consists of around 50 Quantity Surveyors and Estimators with responsibility for the commercial delivery of approximately £200m of projects annually. This is a growing and fast-paced dynamic team with excellent career opportunities. Experience in water or other utility industries is not a pre-requisite for this position.

This role will see you managing a Treatment team of Quantity Surveyors to deliver a programme of work valued at approximately £75m per year. You will report directly to the Treatment Principal Commercial Manager and ultimately the SOE Commercial Director.

The role covers the whole Wessex Water region, which covers Bristol, Salisbury, Bournemouth, Bridgwater and everything in between. Projects comprise process, mechanical, electrical and civil engineering works delivered under an NEC Partnering arrangement, and projects in the Treatment programme vary from £1m to £30m in value.

As the Managing Quantity Surveyor, you will control all SOE activities and provide commercial management and the provision of suitable and accurate reporting of all commercial information required by SOE and other parts of the company. To do this, you will ensure all commercial activities are completed in accordance with the company’s procedures and governance.

Typical responsibilities include:

• managing a team of up to 10 quantity surveyors, including trainee degree apprentices and commercial admin
• controlling all commercial activities for the business unit (including ensuring quality and commerciality)
• managing and presenting regular business unit commercial reports for the Treatment programme, such as order book/budget, monthly programme ‘CVR’ reports and Partners liaison meetings, to ensure the business unit provides accurate cost, liability and forecasting information
• managing contract procurement, target/price setting, forecasting/reporting, contract change, opportunity and risk, payments and final accounts, while also providing support to the Estimating team in the decision-making process
• commercially managing our Framework Partners (consultants and contractors) to deliver the Treatment programme
• providing commercial interface with the rest of the SOE Commercial team, Delivery Managers, Project Managers, Designers, Engineers and Estimators, as well as attending regular financial meetings with senior SOE staff
• working to strict financial targets and deadlines, understanding major programmes of work, and reacting to the demands of construction delivery to ensure best value for the company
• resource planning for QSs and the development of team, including recruitment
• being actively involved in commercial strategies and initiatives which invariably cross multiple teams and departments.

What do I need?

To be considered for this opportunity, you must have relevant quantity surveying and management experience in the construction industry.

Additionally, you will:

• preferably have experience in the NEC Suite of Contracts, including the Professional Services Contract and Engineering and Construction Contract Options A and C
• preferably have experience in managing partnering arrangements including deed or umbrella contracts
• have excellent people, leadership, communication and presentation skills, the ability to foster professional relations with others, and be a team player.
• a degree in quantity surveying or similar construction-related qualification or industry time experience.
• a strong attention to detail, self-motivation, a problem-solving nature, and a drive to succeed.
• as this position will require travel between WW offices and construction sites a full driving licence is required.

Benefits for you

• Competitive package, including a target 10% bonus
• Pension – up to 20% combined contribution
• 25 days’ holiday rising to 28 with length of service
• Opportunity to buy and sell up to five days’ holiday
• Health benefits package
• Life assurance (up to four times your salary)
• Company car or car allowance
• Electric vehicle salary exchange
• Flexible working
• Cashback and discounts from over 1,200 retailers
• Paid volunteering day
• Enhanced family leave
• Interactive health and wellbeing platform
• Support from mental health first aiders
• £1,000 referral fee if you recommend someone to work for us

What will you get from us?

Our people tell us Wessex Water is a great place to work, and they stay with us! We are proud of how we support development and career progression. We have a wealth of both financial and non-financial benefits to offer our people and are committed to ensuring we provide an environment that supports health and wellbeing and flexible working.

We continue to promote diversity and inclusion. With that in mind, we welcome all applicants.

We are delighted to have signed the Armed Forces covenant and are a Disability Confident Employer. Applicants who declare they have a disability or have previously served with the Armed Forces, and meet the minimum requirements for the job, will automatically be invited for an interview.

Please let us know if you require any additional support or adjustments to assist you in starting your journey with Wessex Water.

If you have what it takes to join this award-winning business and want to be part of our exciting journey and share in that success, then please get in contact with us to find out more.

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