Essex County Council
Managing Quantity Surveyor – Harlow District Council

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About The Role
Managing Quantity Surveyor - Harlow District Council
Harlow District Council
Temporary, Full Time
£550.00 per day umbrella
Location: Harlow
Closing Date: 14th September 2026
Essex County Council are delighted to be supporting Harlow District Council to recruit a temporary Managing Quantity Surveyor on a 12-month basis. Please note that this post requires the successful individual to be based on site 4 days per week.
Harlow is a district of contrasts and an ideal location to both live and work. The town itself is thriving, with excellent shopping and leisure facilities for all ages. We have good road links to the M11 and M25 and excellent rail connections to London and Stansted Airport, just 35 minutes and 20 minutes away from Harlow respectively.
The role:
Harlow District Council are seeking an experienced Managing Quantity Surveyor who is available on short notice to join the Housing Operations team to support on a large construction programme.
Pre-contract
- Work with the pre-construction, procurement and design teams to prepare early cost estimates of the proposed works and total project costs. Such works will include major refurbishment of building assets (envelope and internals) and routine maintenance and building compliance
- Monitor the design development and update estimates of work / prepare cost plans at key stages of the design
- Work closely with pre-contract team, identify and quantify risk
- Assist with procurement strategy and the preparation of contract documents for tender; to include decision making on contract particulars, tailoring schedule of amendments as may be required and other key contractual provisions (such as obtaining collateral warranties / performance bonds)
- Prepare tender documentation and management of the tender process, including tender interviews, tender assessment and making recommendation to senior leadership / governance to obtain funding
- Attend internal and external stakeholder meetings (noting these may very occasionally be after hours)
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Construction stage
- Input into pre-start meetings and carry out due diligence and compliance checks before commencement of the works
- Manage project commercial staff in carry out full remit contract administration across a portfolio of works
- Provide advice on technical and contractual issues within construction contracts; exercising dispute avoidance methods to mitigate disputes
- Review project issues, risks and opportunities monthly at a project and portfolio level
- Ensure project teams are providing accurate project financial reporting, updated monthly
- Provide robust and accurate financial reporting; a key requirement is an ability to organise and structure high volumes of financial data into clear and robust financial reporting
- Presenting financial reports / updates to stakeholders
- Chair internal and external meetings and producing minutes
- Attend internal and external stakeholder meetings (noting these may very occasionally be after hours)


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Project Close
- Set Practical Completion requirements within the Contract and award PC when achieved.
- Settle the final accounts
- Manage any defects and the defects period
- Ensure project team have obtained copies of all close out / completion documents, such a test certificates, O&M manuals, “Golden Thread” information and product warranties etc.
The experience you will bring:
- Chartered with RICS (or similar).
- Suitably qualified in field.
- Significant experience in role as Employers Agent/Contract Administrator and QS.
- Demonstration of preparing and managing contract documents.
- Demonstrate experience in a leadership role, managing a team and carrying out senior reporting functions.
- Strong knowledge in preparing and managing JCT Contracts
What You Should Do Next
If you are interested in finding out more about this role, we would love to hear from you. Please apply via the Working for Essex website. If you have any queries relating to this post please email louise.butler@essex.gov.uk
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