Colas Ltd
Senior Quantity Surveyor
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Colas Ltd are a UK subsidiary of the global Colas Group, which operates in over 50 countries worldwide and employs over 55,000 people including over 1500 in the UK across multiple sites. We are specialists in highways construction and have been involved in large-scale UK and international construction projects within the highways, airfields, and marine sectors as well as offering highways maintenance services and manufacturing our own innovative surfacing products. We hold a 'Gold Investor in People' award for continuously developing and rewarding our employees, offering excellent career potential.
Purpose of the Role
We are looking for an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor to join our commercial team, you will be based at our Coleshill depot, B46 3HN. You will provide commercial support across the Area 9 Highways Maintenance and Response Contract, working closely with the wider Commercial and Operational teams to ensure projects are managed effectively and commercially. You will provide advice and guidance to the Commercial team, including Quantity Surveyors, Assistant Quantity Surveyors and Trainee Quantity Surveyors, while supporting senior management with accurate and timely commercial reporting.
You will play a key role in monitoring financial performance, ensuring costs and value are accurately reconciled and recovered through the appropriate contract mechanisms. You will also support the pricing of new works, manage subcontract packages from procurement through to final account and help ensure that all commercial activities are delivered in line with company governance, policies and procedures.
Main Responsibilities
As a Senior Quantity Surveyor, you will be responsible for:
- Managing budgets, cost forecasting and financial control, including monitoring profitability, cash flow, cost and value.
- Producing accurate commercial reports and providing clear financial and contractual advice to senior management and project teams, helping to identify risks, opportunities and areas for improvement.
- Managing the commercial and contractual aspects of projects and subcontract packages, including procurement, payment mechanisms, change management, final accounts and the resolution of contractual issues.
- Identifying, recording, notifying and negotiating changes in accordance with the contract and providing advice on contractual matters, including NEC, FIDIC and JCT forms of contract.
- Supporting cost planning and pre-contract activities, including reviewing tenders, developing cost plans, analysing rates and understanding the cost implications of labour, plant, materials and subcontractors.
- Contributing to the preparation and evaluation of interim and final accounts, compensation events and other contractual or insurance claims.
- Working closely with Project Managers, operational teams, client stakeholders, designers, subcontractors and internal departments to ensure commercial requirements are met.
- Supporting framework quotations and pricing, ensuring these are issued accurately, on time and in line with contract conditions.
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Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor with around five years of relevant post-qualification experience and a strong understanding of commercial management within the construction or highways environment. You will ideally hold a BSc in Quantity Surveying or an equivalent commercially related qualification and be working towards, or willing to work towards, professional membership of an organisation such as RICS, CIOB or ICES. You will have excellent knowledge of construction contracts, particularly NEC, alongside strong commercial and financial awareness. Experience in administering NEC contracts, managing subcontractors, pricing and cost control would be highly advantageous. You should be confident analysing complex information, identifying risks and finding practical solutions to commercial challenges.
As a senior member of the team, you will need:
- Strong communication, leadership and relationship-building skills, with the ability to support, motivate and develop less experienced colleagues.
- Being organised, commercially focused and confident working with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
- A commitment to health and safety, quality, environmental standards, continuous improvement and delivering excellent customer service.
- A UK driving licence is required for the role.
Package Description
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Here at Colas, we offer a great total compensation package, including:
- A salary between £50,000 and £60,000 (dependent on experience) PLUS Company Car / Car Allowance
- Our Colas Pension Scheme has combined contributions of up to 10%
- Life Assurance Scheme which is x4 basic salary
- 25 days annual leave per year + Public Holidays
- Holiday Purchase & Selling Scheme
- Hybrid Working Scheme (dependent on the role)
- Family-Friendly Benefits, including Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay
- Opportunities to study towards a fully funded Professional Qualification
- Ongoing personal / professional development
- Discounts on car leasing, holidays, cinema tickets, restaurants and much more through our online employee benefits portal
At Colas, our culture is guided by four core values: Respect, Commitment, Pioneering, and Sharing. These values shape how we work, collaborate, and grow together. We believe that respect is the foundation of every relationship. By treating others as we wish to be treated, we foster fairness, transparency, and inclusion within our teams and with our clients, communities, and partners. Commitment means dedicating ourselves fully to everything we do. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to make a meaningful impact. With a pioneering spirit, we prioritise bold innovation over blind ambition. We welcome new ideas, invest in our people, and work to deliver sustainable infrastructure solutions that shape the future. Through sharing, we build trust and solidarity, encouraging collaboration and growth at all levels of the business.
Colas Ltd is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that mirrors the communities we serve. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you want a workplace where your voice is valued and your potential is developed, Colas is the right choice.
Note to Recruitment Agencies
In line with our Company Policy, Colas Ltd has a preference for direct hiring and we will reach out to our PSL (Preferred Suppliers List) agencies if the role is eligible for release. We do not accept speculative CVs from agencies. If a speculative CV is sent, no fee will be applicable.
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