Quantity Surveyor
Manchester
Permanent – Full Time
We have exciting opportunities available for a Quantity Surveyor to support on our exceptional First Street development. This is a £300 million multi-purpose development, set to be our largest project yet.
As a Quantity Surveyor, your main tasks in the role will focus around Cost Reporting, Risk Management, Sub-Contract Accounts, Client Accounts, Estimating and providing support to the Commercial Manager. The ideal candidate will have experience working across new builds, refurbishments, commercial and residential spaces.
About Downing
We are a family-owned and market leading real estate investment, development, and management business; highly regarded across both commercial and student accommodation sectors, with more than 30 years of experience. We deliver best-in-class developments, with over £2bn of developments successfully completed to date. We have a further £1.6bn in the pipeline and over £1bn under management.
Our recent projects include:
- Development of several thousand PBSA beds across the UK including
o Vega, our 841 bed Student scheme, in Vauxhall, London
o The Mont, a 341-bedroom PBSA scheme in Edinburgh City Centre
- Miles Yard, a purpose built, Grade A office scheme, circa 28,000 ft², in Vauxhall, London
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist the Construction Team with the preparation of the Project Master programme
- Assist in the preparation of co-ordinated design programmes and schedules of drawings/information required to allow cost planning and tendering
- Instigate cost control procedures during design development by means of a Cost Appraisal
- Attend regular design meeting with the consultants as appropriate. Influence the design process and ensure that cost and ease of construction are always taken in to account in the design process
- Undertake regular reviews of the cost appraisal to ensure that design is developing within its parameters
- Prepare and submit regular reports comparing actual estimates against the cost appraisal. Identify problem areas and variances which exceed the cost appraisal and, in such cases, submit optional courses of action for consideration
- Identify areas of risk and uncertainty and review levels of contingency allowance appropriate to the design stage
- When changes to the scheme are being considered provide budget cost estimates and advise on the possible effect on time
- Ensure that no variations are acted upon without prior approval
- When the design is at a stage that is “frozen” submit for approval the Project Cost Plan and provide a schedule of drawings/other documentation on which it has been based
- Where the employment of an external contractor is to be considered assist the Employer’s Agent in preparing a suitable list of tenderers and advise on procurement strategy, tendering procedures and contract arrangements
- Ensure that contract documents are properly executed prior to project commencement
- Attend progress meetings with consultants and the construction team (including sub-contractors and suppliers as appropriate) at monthly or more frequent intervals.
- Identify requirements for Sub-Contract Warranties and ensure that documentation is properly issued, agreed and executed
- Manage the construction cost of the project within the approved cost plan.
- Monitor the procurement process and ensure that works packages are being let appropriately and the company is getting best value for money
- Analysis of the Project Cost Plan and allocate allowances to individual works packages taking into account the design interfaces and the logical sequence of works
- Produce and periodically update a cash flow forecast for the project
- In conjunction with the site team, and with reference to the Construction Programme, prepare a Procurement Schedule to identify dates/periods that specific drawings/information will be required from the design team to allow tendering of works packages. Such periods to make full allowance of any early specialist design development required.
- Prepare list of suitable Sub-Contractors for each work package, ensure that potential sub-contractors have adequate resources and are cable of carrying out the works prior to inclusion on the list. Obtain references for any Sub-Contractors that have not previously worked for the company. Generally, between three and five Sub-Contractors should be approached.
- Prepare detailed Sub-Contract tender packages and ensure that all relevant contractual documentation is included.
- In conjunction with the site team interrogate all tender returns and check if they are compliant with the tender documentation and are fully inclusive, negotiate with Sub-Contractors to get best price
- For each work package complete a Sub-Contract Authorisation form summarising all the tender returns and giving a recommendation to let the works to a particular Sub-Contractor. At least three comparable tenders should be attained before any recommendation is made.
- Prior to letting any package ensure that a Sub-Contract pre-selection meeting has taken place and the relevant members of the site team (including consultants) have attended
- Place orders with Sub-Contractors/Suppliers and ensure that documentation is in place that protects the company’s position both financially and contractually
- Manage Sub-Contract Packages and ensure that the cost plan is not exceeded
- Manage the payment of Sub-Contractors, suppliers and, where appropriate, consultants. Ensure that all relevant notifications are issued including “withholding notices”.
- Ensure that any variations claimed by Sub-Contractors are thoroughly checked with the site team for validity. Where possible negotiate and agree cost of variations before works are carried out
- Prepare and issue a monthly report (CVR). This will identify the current commitment status and will show the forecast final cost of each work package along with updated preliminaries, fees etc. to give an overall anticipated final cost for the scheme
- Aim to achieve the settlement of all Sub-Contractor final accounts within 3 months of practical completion. Provide and update a report on the status of final account negotiations
Key Requirements:
- Holds the relevant qualifications e.g., degree qualification in Quantity Surveying, ONC and HNC level.
- Working knowledge of the construction industry, commercial and procurement processes and procedures
- Experience within a similar role
- To have strong people skills
- To be able to work as part of a team
- Good communication and delegation skills
Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- Car allowance
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Contributory pension
- Life assurance policy
- Permanent Health Insurance scheme
- Employee Assistance Program
