Senior Quantity Surveyor

Senior Quantity Surveyor / Commercial Manager
Location: Birmingham Office / Site Visits [Flexible/Hybrid]
Reporting to: Commercial Director
Team: Traditional Business Unit

Our client is a dynamic fit-out contractor delivering high-quality, design-led projects, with a turnover of £35m. Over the last 18 months, they have successfully established a thriving business unit focused on projects procured through traditional routes. This division now contributes up to 50% of overall turnover, and as part of their growth strategy, they are bringing commercial control fully in-house.

This is a unique opportunity to join the business at an exciting stage. You’ll play a hands-on role in live projects while shaping how commercial management is delivered across the business unit. As the function grows, you’ll also have the opportunity to build and lead your own commercial team.

We are seeking an experienced Quantity Surveyor / Commercial Manager who is ready to step into a position offering more influence and autonomy than a typical QS role.

You will take direct responsibility for commercial delivery on live projects — from subcontract procurement through to valuations and variations — while also introducing the processes and discipline needed to bring consistency and confidence to reporting.

Working closely with external QS partners and reporting directly to the Commercial Director, this role provides senior-level visibility and the chance to make a measurable impact, while also being part of the journey to expand the commercial function.

• Attend tender adjudications and assess commercial risk.

• Review and negotiate JCT contracts.

• Lead commercial management on live projects, including:

  • Subcontract procurement, negotiation, and adjudication.

  • Valuations, applications, and payments.

  • Capturing and agreeing variations with clients and subcontractors.

• Ensure subcontract orders and documentation are robust.

• Work with external QS partners to maintain accurate CVRs aligned with Swift (cost management system).

• Monitor and report actual vs. tendered profit, implementing corrective actions where necessary.

• Act as a key commercial advisor to project teams and leadership.

• Senior QS or Commercial Manager with experience delivering projects in the £1m–£10m range.

• Strong knowledge of JCT contracts.

• Proven track record in subcontract procurement, valuations, and variation recovery.

• Strong commercial acumen — detail-focused with the ability to see the bigger picture.

• Confident communicator, able to engage effectively with clients, subcontractors, and directors.

• Leadership potential, with ambition to develop and grow a team.

• Accuracy of CVRs and reporting in Swift.

• Actual profit achieved vs. tendered profit.

• Timely and accurate valuations and applications.

• Recovery of variations at both main contract and subcontract level.

• Effective subcontract procurement, on time and within budget.

• Influence & Impact – Direct reporting line to the Commercial Director, with scope to shape how the business unit operates.

• Team Growth – Opportunity to grow and lead the commercial team as the business unit expands.

• Hands-On & Strategic – A role that keeps you close to projects while also providing a senior-level platform.

• Culture – A collaborative, agile, and ambitious team that values ownership and rewards results.

• Stability & Pipeline – A strong order book across a diverse range of fit-out projects.