Quantity Surveyor – Brickwork & Masonry

Location: Chelmsford, Essex / London
Working Pattern: Office based with potential hybrid working between Chelmsford and London
Salary: £80,000 – £120,000 depending on experience
Employment Type: Permanent

Role Summary

A leading specialist brickwork and masonry contractor is looking to appoint an experienced Quantity Surveyor to join its established commercial team.

The business delivers substantial brickwork, blockwork and masonry packages across London and the South East and requires a commercially strong QS with direct experience working within this specialist sector.

The successful candidate will take commercial responsibility for projects from contract award through to final account, managing valuations, variations, cost control, subcontractor accounts and client relationships.

Applicants must have previous commercial experience managing brickwork and masonry packages. Candidates coming solely from general main contracting backgrounds without relevant subcontract package experience are unlikely to be suitable.

Key Responsibilities

• Take commercial responsibility for brickwork and masonry projects from award through to final account.
• Prepare and submit interim valuations and applications for payment.
• Manage variations, change control and additional works.
• Identify, price and negotiate variations with clients and main contractors.
• Prepare accurate project cost reports and commercial forecasts.
• Monitor project expenditure, labour performance and material costs.
• Manage project cash flow and ensure timely payment recovery.
• Review contracts and identify commercial risks and obligations.
• Work closely with project managers, site teams and senior management.
• Attend commercial and progress meetings with clients and main contractors.
• Manage subcontractor procurement and subcontract accounts where applicable.
• Prepare and agree final accounts.
• Maintain accurate commercial records throughout each project.
• Provide commercial advice to operational teams.
• Ensure contractual notices and correspondence are issued correctly and on time.
• Monitor margins and identify opportunities to improve project profitability.

Essential Experience

• Strong Quantity Surveying experience within the brickwork and masonry sector.
• Previous experience with a specialist brickwork, masonry or associated subcontractor.
• Detailed understanding of brickwork, blockwork and masonry packages.
• Proven experience managing commercially significant subcontract packages.
• Strong knowledge of valuations, variations, applications and final accounts.
• Good understanding of subcontract terms and construction contracts.
• Experience working with major main contractors.
• Strong cost reporting and forecasting ability.
• Commercially confident and comfortable negotiating with clients.
• Able to manage several projects simultaneously.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong commercial awareness.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Confident client-facing communication.
• Detail focused with strong numerical ability.
• Proactive approach to identifying contractual and commercial opportunities.
• Strong organisation and time management.
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a wider commercial team.
• Competent with Microsoft Excel and standard commercial software.

Qualifications

A relevant construction or Quantity Surveying qualification would be advantageous, although significant specialist brickwork and masonry experience will be equally important.

Suitable backgrounds could include:

• Quantity Surveying
• Commercial Management
• Construction Management
• Specialist Subcontracting

Package

• £80,000 – £120,000 basic salary depending on experience
• Senior commercial position within an established specialist contractor.
• Long-term career opportunity.
• Strong secured workload and project pipeline.
• Potential hybrid working arrangement.
• Exposure to major construction projects throughout London and the South East.