Rodeo
Get started

Southern Water

Commercial Quantity Surveyor

Chichester
Posted about 13 hours ago
Sign up to applySee more jobs like this
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever

How your CV stacks up

1Upload CV
2Analyse CV
3Improve CV

Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role

?%

Closing Date
2026-12-31

Job Title: Commercial Manager (Senior Quantity Surveyor)

Location: Chichester, Worthing

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37

Salary: Competitive – to be discussed at interview

About the Role:

Southern Water’s Commercial Management discipline leads the effective and efficient delivery and management of commercial operations and provides commercial assurance to infrastructure projects, including the tracking of variations and resolution of commercial risks and issues.

What you will be responsible for:

  • The Commercial Manager supports the Senior Commercial Manager within a specified directorate to deliver pre and post contract processes for high value contracts.
  • They must act as a commercial business partner and be considered an expert and trusted advisor whilst providing cost management services, commercial support pre-contract award, contractual compliance, and dispute resolution, enabling Southern Water to extract maximum value from its construction contracts.
  • Support the Senior Commercial Manager in delivery of commercial management services to our NEC 4 Networks and Capital Delivery Frameworks
  • Operate within our market leading commercial/cost management, pre and post contract best practices and techniques.
  • Work closely with Procurement, Project and Field Managers to provide pre-contract capabilities, including support on contract strategy, contract creation, pre-contract assurance and agreement
  • Align commercial management activity with quality management and other audits undertaken, liaising with appropriate stakeholders to drive efficiency and ensure audit activity reflects contractual pricing, terms, conditions, and service delivery specification.
  • Develop and implement standardised audit/site visit procedures, undertake targeted ad hoc audits, and support auditors on site visits, using expertise to drive value-add activities.
  • Work with Project/Field Managers and contractors to support setting of target costs/fixed prices as appropriate for the contract form.
  • Work with Project Managers, Engineers, Contract and Supplier Managers, Contract Owners, and contractors to identify business process/project/contract risks and implement appropriate mitigating actions.
  • Provide Project Managers with commercial guidance and advice, including managing contract difficulties/cost variance, inadequate contract performance, and emerging issues, minimising commercial impact to Southern Water.

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?

Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.

Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.

Start with a chat, not a search bar

Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.

P

Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme

PwC·London, UK
£35,000/yr

Why you're a good match

Strong

Your economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.

See breakdown
Save jobNot relevant
View details

It searches the market for you

Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.

Why you're a good match

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.

See breakdown
Strong

Experience fit

Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.

See breakdown
Strong

Only hits

No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.

What you’ll bring to the role:

Knowledge/experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in quantity surveying or a similar discipline
  • Solid commercial management experience, preferably in a water or utilities industry
  • Knowledge of the standard forms of contract and NEC in particular
  • Professional qualification and full membership is desirable (e.g. MRICS), or the candidate should have a plan in place to achieve full membership.
  • Microsoft Office suite including advanced MS Excel and PowerPoint
  • Significant experience of cost management and/or quantity surveying for large projects or framework arrangements
  • Experience of supplier/contractor relationship management
  • Experience of risk identification and management
  • Experience and knowledge of contract terms and conditions, project lifecycles and commercial models
  • Experience monitoring and assuring compliance with internal governance procedures
  • Experience delivering continued improvement to commercial processes and procedures, and supporting transformation activities

Capability:

  • Excellent communication skills – including verbal, written and presenting to a group
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders
  • Ability to demonstrate a proactive/can do style of work
  • Continuous improvement mindset
  • Highly organised with the ability to multi-task
  • Ability to build sustainable relationships as a trusted advisor
  • Strong commercial acumen and problem-solving, and excellent analytical and data presentation skills
  • Strong ability to deliver against financial targets and timescales
  • Ability to manage commercial performance and cost drivers in a complex environment

Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain’s water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8bn planned investment for 2025-30, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed.

Get help with your application

Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.

Get help applying for this job

You will be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long-term value creation

“Your potential matters more than a perfect checklist. If this role excites you and you believe you can make an impact, we want to hear from you! Skills can be learned—passion, drive, and fresh perspectives are what truly set candidates apart. Don’t hesitate—take the leap and apply!”

If this role isn’t quite what you’re looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details here: [Introduce Yourself](myworkdaysite.com- Introduce Yourself)

Our Commitment to Diversity

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic.

If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Additional information:

In line with Southern Water’s security requirements, successful candidates will be required to provide evidence of their identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record check (DBS) and verification of their employment and/or education history for the past three years.

Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of all pre‑employment checks, including security vetting.

Please note that if a candidate does not meet the required security standards or fails to pass the vetting process, Southern Water reserves the right to withdraw the offer of employment.

Some positions may also require higher levels of security vetting, which may involve providing additional documentation.

Trusted by 25,000+ job seekers

“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”

Jessica, London

Get help applying for this job

Location

Chichester, England, United Kingdom

Sign up to applySee more jobs like this