Job Description:

Senior Quantity Surveyor (Regional Main Contractor, South Wales)
£60,000 to £70,000 + Car Allowance & Package (DOE)
Cardiff
Permanent, Full Time

The Opportunity

If you are a Tier 1 Senior Quantity Surveyor tired of long M4 commutes, endless corporate red tape, and being stuck managing a single package on a mega project, this role offers a genuine alternative. You can step into full commercial ownership with one of South Wales' most respected regional main contractors.

We are recruiting on behalf of a proudly independent, family run building contractor based in Cardiff with a heritage spanning over 135 years. Known across South Wales for quality delivery, repeat public and private sector clients, and a close knit team of around 70 staff (including their own in house trade operatives), our client is looking for a commercially astute Senior Quantity Surveyor to join their commercial team.

This is a rare chance to bring your Tier 1 commercial rigour, contractual discipline, and systems mindset into a supportive, agile regional business where your decisions directly shape project profitability and you are home every evening.

Why Make the Move?

• True Cradle to Grave Ownership: Rather than managing just one or two packages on a massive scheme, you will lead the entire commercial process across varied projects from pre construction and procurement through to final account.

• Strictly South Wales Patch: Say goodbye to Bristol or London travel and hotel stays. All schemes are focused across Cardiff and the surrounding South Wales region.

• Diverse, Engaging Project Mix: Work across a balanced portfolio of education (new build schools and complex university refurbishments), sensitive heritage and listed building restorations, healthcare, commercial, and industrial builds.

• Direct Leadership Access: Work directly alongside the Commercial Director and operational directors in a flat, non corporate structure where good commercial ideas get signed off quickly.

The Role

Reporting to the Commercial Director, you will take the commercial lead on multiple concurrent projects or larger flagship schemes. You will protect project margins, manage risk, and build strong relationships with clients, PQS teams, and local supply chain partners.

Key Responsibilities:

• Full Commercial Management: Lead cost control, monthly Cost Value Reconciliations (CVRs), cash flow forecasting, and risk and opportunity management across your assigned projects.

• Procurement and Subcontract Management: Manage tender enquiries, subcontractor comparisons, order placements, interim valuations, variations, and final account agreements.

• Contract Administration: Administer JCT and NEC forms of contract robustly, ensuring timely notices, effective change control, and solid commercial protection.

• Client and Design Interface: Attend pre contract and site progress meetings, working collaboratively with client representatives, architects, and project managers to deliver practical value engineering solutions.

• Mentoring and Standards: Help elevate commercial processes by sharing Tier 1 best practice and supporting junior and assistant surveyors within the team.

About You

Our client is specifically keen to speak with Senior Quantity Surveyors from a Tier 1 or major national main contractor background who want to transition into a leading regional SME contractor.

Essential Experience and Skills:

• Degree qualified (or equivalent) in Quantity Surveying or Commercial Management. MRICS status (or working towards it) is advantageous, though not essential.

• Proven track record as a Senior Quantity Surveyor, or an established Project QS ready to step up, with a Tier 1 or large regional building contractor.

• Strong commercial acumen with hands on experience managing both JCT and NEC contracts across new build and complex refurbishment schemes.

• A confident negotiator capable of building long term, fair relationships with local South Wales subcontractors while firmly protecting contractual positions.

• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel between the Cardiff office and live sites across South Wales.

Rewards and Benefits

• Competitive Salary: £60,000 to £70,000 per annum (dependent on experience).

• Car and Travel: Car allowance or company car option, plus business mileage.

• Package and Stability: Performance related bonus, employer pension contribution, private healthcare, generous annual leave, and long term job security with a financially sound, debt free regional business.