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.
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Purpose of the role
We are seeking an experienced and driven Senior Quantity Surveyor to join our Commercial team, supporting the delivery of a major Maintenance & Response contract. This is a fast-paced role within a high-volume, low-value work environment, where the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously and lead people effectively is critical to success. The role can be based at any of our depots in Strensham, WR8 9LJ, Coleshill,B46 3HN,or Bescot, WS1 4NL; however, regular travel between all three locations will be required, particularly between Coleshill and Strensham.
Main Responsibilities
This position will suit someone who thrives in a cyclical maintenance setting, where workloads are constant, varied, and time sensitive. You will be responsible not only for your own commercial outputs but also for managing and developing a team of Quantity Surveyors, Assistant Quantity Surveyors, and Trainees. Strong leadership, organisation, and the ability to prioritise competing demands are essential.Working closely with operational teams, project managers, and stakeholders, you will oversee the end-to-end commercial management of works, from procurement through to final account. You will ensure that value is maximised and costs are effectively controlled and recovered in line with contract mechanisms, while delivering accurate and timely reporting to support month-end and wider business requirements.The role involves managing subcontractor packages, supporting the pricing of new works, and providing clear commercial insight and advice to senior management. You will also play a key role in maintaining governance, ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures, and driving continuous improvement across commercial processes.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will hold a degree in Quantity Surveying (or a related discipline) and have significant post-qualification experience, ideally working towards or holding professional membership (such as RICS, CIOB, or ICES). A proactive approach, excellent time management, and the ability to operate under pressure are key to thriving in this role. We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in highways maintenance; however, we welcome applicants from other maintenance-led sectors such as utilities or civil engineering, where managing high volumes of reactive or cyclical work is a core part of the role.
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong commercial acumen, a solid understanding of contract administration (particularly NEC forms), and the ability to manage budgets, forecasts, risk, and change in a dynamic environment. You will also have strong Excel skills, with the ability to analyse and manage data effectively; experience with Power BI would be a distinct advantage. Just as importantly, you will be a confident leader who can motivate teams, build effective working relationships, and maintain high standards across multiple concurrent activities.
Package Description
Here at Colas, we offer a great total compensation package, including:
- A salary between 50,000 and 60,000 (dependent on experience and qualifications) 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, andSharing. These values shape how we work, collaborate, and grow together. We believe thatrespectis 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.Commitmentmeans 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 apioneeringspirit, 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. Throughsharing, 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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