Role Overview
The Senior Quantity Surveyor will lead the commercial delivery of complex laboratory fit‑out projects, ensuring robust cost control, accurate forecasting, and commercially sound decision‑making across all project stages. This role requires deep experience in life‑science environments, including cleanrooms, CL2/CL3 labs, specialist MEP systems, and controlled‑environment construction.
Key Responsibilities
Cost Planning - Develop detailed cost plans from RIBA Stage 1-4, including benchmarking for specialist lab components.
Procurement Management - Lead procurement of specialist trades (HVAC, fume cupboards, gases, BMS, cleanroom systems), ensuring competitive tendering and robust contract terms.
Commercial Management - Manage valuations, variations, change control, and payment applications across multiple work packages.
Risk & Value Engineering - Identify commercial risks and opportunities, driving value engineering without compromising compliance or performance.
Contract Administration - Administer NEC or JCT contracts, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and timely notices.
Stakeholder Coordination - Work closely with project managers, design teams, end‑users, and specialist subcontractors to ensure alignment on scope and cost.
Forecasting & Reporting - Produce accurate CVRs, cashflow forecasts, and commercial reports for senior leadership.
Change Management - Lead the change process, ensuring variations are captured, priced, negotiated, and agreed promptly.
Final Accounts - Drive timely agreement of final accounts with clients and subcontractors.
Required Experience
Lab Fit‑Out Expertise - Proven experience delivering CL2/CL3 labs, cleanrooms, GMP spaces, or high‑spec MEP‑heavy environments.
MEP‑Heavy Project Knowledge - Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, and process systems typical in scientific facilities.
Contract Knowledge - Strong working knowledge of NEC3/4 or JCT D&B.
Cost Management Tools - Proficiency with cost management software and Excel‑based cost modelling.
Stakeholder Management - Ability to communicate complex commercial issues to technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
UK Construction Experience - Experience working with UK regulations, CDM, and lab‑specific compliance requirements.
Key Skills & Attributes
Commercial Acumen - Strong negotiation skills and financial awareness.
Technical Understanding - Ability to interpret lab‑specific drawings, MEP schematics, and technical specifications.
Leadership - Ability to mentor junior QS staff and lead commercial workstreams.
Analytical Thinking - Strong problem‑solving and cost‑analysis capability.
Communication - Clear, concise reporting and confident client‑facing communication.
Typical Project Types
Life‑science lab fit‑outs (CL2/CL3)
Cleanrooms (ISO 5-8)
GMP manufacturing suites
R&D facilities
Specialist MEP upgrades (HVAC, gases, BMS)
Pharmaceutical or biotech refurbishments
Salary description
£75000.00 - £85000.00 per year