Tarrant Howl
Commercial Manager – Senior Quantity Surveyor Step-Up

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This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor who is ready to step into a Commercial Manager role and wants a genuine route into senior leadership.
Our client is a growing multidisciplinary consultancy providing design, project management and cost consultancy services across the commercial, retail, residential and infrastructure sectors.
They are investing in the continued development of their commercial function and need someone who can combine hands-on project delivery with leadership, client management and strategic input.
The opportunity
The role will initially be split around 60% hands-on delivery and 40% leadership and strategy. You will work across a portfolio of fast-moving projects valued between £100,000 and £5 million, predominantly under JCT contracts.
You will also work closely with the senior leadership team to develop the commercial department, improve systems and standards, and lead and develop junior members of the team.
The real attraction is the clear progression plan: first into Head of Department and then into a Director role, with the pathway expected to take approximately three years.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading the commercial delivery of multiple projects from feasibility through to final account
- Preparing cost plans, Bills of Quantities, tender documentation and procurement strategies
- Managing competitive tender processes and negotiating with contractors
- Reviewing tender returns and preparing commercial recommendations for clients
- Managing project budgets, cost reporting, variations and commercial risk
- Working across fast-moving projects predominantly under JCT contracts
- Building strong, trusted relationships with clients, contractors and project teams
- Leading, mentoring and developing more junior members of the commercial team
- Improving commercial systems, governance and quality standards
- Supporting the strategic development and future growth of the commercial function
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
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Why you're a good match
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You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
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About you
This position is likely to suit a Senior Quantity Surveyor who is already independently managing projects, building strong client relationships and supporting less-experienced colleagues but is now ready for a broader leadership role.
You will need:
- Strong pre- and post-contract quantity surveying experience
- Experience managing multiple construction projects simultaneously
- Good working knowledge of JCT contracts
- Strong tendering, negotiation and commercial management skills
- The ability to develop and maintain excellent client relationships
- Experience mentoring, managing or developing other people
- Strong communication skills and sound commercial judgement
- The ambition and leadership potential to build and lead a commercial team
- Excellent attention to detail and strong Excel skills


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MRICS or progress towards chartership would be advantageous but is not essential. Experience in commercial, retail, residential or infrastructure projects would also be beneficial.
The package
- £75,000 basic salary
- Performance-related bonus of 5–15% of salary
- Private medical insurance
- Pension
- Clear progression into Head of Department and then Director, with the pathway expected to take approximately three years
This is an unusually strong opportunity for a Senior Quantity Surveyor who wants more than another project-delivery position. You will remain commercially hands-on while gaining the leadership experience, strategic influence and clear progression needed to build a long-term senior career.
For more information, please contact Stewart Howl at Tarrant Howl or apply online to register your interest.
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