Vistry Group PLC
Senior Quantity Surveyor
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Role Overview: Senior Quantity Surveyor
In a Nutshell… We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Quantity Surveyor to join our team within Vistry Cornwall South West, based at our Wadebridge site in Plymouth. In this role, you’ll work within our Commercial, Estimating and Buying team, supervising, managing, and advising on the financial and contractual aspects of multiple construction projects.
Key responsibilities include ensuring the Quantity Surveying function is executed across allocated contracts to fulfil the company’s goals for quality service and profitability. You’ll provide cost control and financial reporting across all construction work undertaken.
About Flexible Working
We value in-person collaboration and foster a strong team culture, but we’re also committed to supporting flexible working where possible. Please discuss any specific requirements during the interview—we’re happy to accommodate for your needs.
What’s in it for you?
✅ Competitive basic salary and annual bonus ✅ Company car or car/ travel allowance ✅ Salary sacrifice car scheme available ✅ Up to 39 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) ✅ 2 Volunteering days per annum ✅ Private medical insurance (employee-contributing) ✅ Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave ✅ Competitive pension scheme through salary sacrifice ✅ Life assurance (up to 4 times annual salary) ✅ Share save and share incentive schemes ✅ Christmas company shutdown ✅ Employee rewards portal with additional benefits...
Requirements & Desirables
Minimum Requirements
- HNC / HND in Surveying or equivalent
- Proven experience as a PQS, SQS, or Commercial Lead within a residential housebuilder (level-dependent)
- Good understanding of:
- Building regulations
- Legal obligations
- Construction methods and materials
- Strong mathematical & IT skills
- Ability to assess and analyse information, exhibit good budgeting sense and possess negotiation/networking skills
- Excellent communication, ability to work under pressure, accept constructive criticism, and demonstrate strong teamwork
- Accuracy & attention to detail
- Methodical approach and willingness to work extra hours to meet deadlines
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Desirable
- Degree in Surveying or related field
- Membership training towards the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) or Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
Key Responsibilities
Supervision & Strategic Oversight
- Lead, support, and coach direct reports and the wider team to facilitate their growth and development stage.
- Participate in recruitment and oversee the employee lifecycle (e.g., development reviews, succession planning).
- Coordinate between departments (e.g., Land, Development, Construction) to advise on cost implications across all phases.
Tendering & Cost Management
- Review and approve contract documentation, identifying errors, omissions, cost anomalies.
- Collate initial tender information and assist in drafting proposed tender lists and updating procurement programmes.
- Distribute design packages, prepare tender documentation, pre-check subcontractors, and clarify outstanding information.
- Analyse construction cost forecasts including quotations, subcontractor correspondence, and preliminary costs; facilitate budget organisation.
Contract Execution & Compliance
- Monitor Construction defects (e.g., delays, extensions of time, loss/expenditure claims) and issue notices accordingly.
- Attend design/contract review meetings and carry out pre-order safety checks.
- Adjudicate budget settlement meetings, prepare stage payments and finance schedules.
- Negotiate contract sums and adjust build budgets for cost efficiency.
Financial Reporting & Commercial Analysis
- Prepare regular internal valuations, subcontract liability reports, and margin analysis adequately.
- Develop:
- Cost-to-complete reports
- Cash flow & turnover forecasts
- Debrief summaries
- Maintain an up-to-date RAMS schedule (Risk Assessment & Method Statement).
- Monitor monthly cost movements, supplier compliance, and site performance.
Payment Processing & Legal Compliance
- Arrange and verify subcontractor orders (periodic coordination, reference checks).
- Adjust variations and manage extracurricular work (e.g., show-home modules). Advise pre-tender stages and negotiate purchase costs.
- Review and finalise subcontractor payables within 6-month deadlines, matching **Chartered Standards of Contingencies/Retention`.
- Ensure compliance with Construction Act, Vistry Group’s Standard Terms/Processes and prevent disputes via Payments Withhold Notices if required.
- Conduct reviews of payment claims’, certificate validations, and de-briefings to protect company liability.
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Additional Governance Roles
- Liaise with Technical/Build Managers to optimise pre-contractive adoption and development compliance.
- Implement CMMS active scheduling (e.g., production reports, pre-start checklists, value engineering notes).
- Keep trained on Vistry’s construction software with procedural adherence to company policy/Group Rebate schemes.
- Closing projects with formal site transitioning paperwork, including retirements on development finances.
- Support enabling maintenance orders, site adoptions, meeting progress deadlines and site valuations/stock valuation requirements.
- Attend development stakeholders’ meetings as required and track ‘unscheduled’ projects (time-delays obligations).
Core Competencies to Excel In
- Business acumen with meticulous detail focus
- Ability to decisively deal with cost sensitive situations under time constraints
- Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate with client agents and negotiate effectively
- Proactive approach with coaching skills for junior team members
- Leading resolutions in deciding cost-effective schedules and conflict management
Why Join Us?
We’re more than builders; we shape sustainable communities—of affordable & private housing, through ethical practices and informed partnerships. Our reputation stands by world-class client satisfaction, green credentials, and numerous accolades in:
- Top Employer fundamentals
- Global Leadership in Workplace Innovation
- Best Employer for Talent Attraction & Outreach
At Vistry, our visions integrate integrity, caring, and quality in development so we build the nation’s future—together.
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