Senior M&E Quantity Surveyor / Cost Manager
London | Complex Buildings & Infrastructure
Package
£65,000 – £85,000 + travel allowance, bonus, non-contributory pension, private healthcare, life insurance, and more.
The Role
Our client is seeking an experienced Quantity Surveyor / Cost Manager to join their commercial team, supporting a mix of Business-as-Usual (BAU) works and major capital expenditure projects across a portfolio of complex, technical assets.
While the portfolio includes data centres, prior data centre experience is not required. We welcome applicants from comparable infrastructure or technically complex building environments, such as healthcare, pharma, airports, rail, utilities, or large-scale commercial developments.
This is a client-side, hands-on role, managing building and MEP costs from early budgeting and master planning through procurement, change control, and final accounts.
On-site presence of 4 days per week, reflecting the hands-on, client-side and collaborative nature of the role.
You’ll take ownership of building and MEP cost management from early budgeting and master planning through procurement, change control, and final accounts — ensuring value for money while maintaining high standards of quality, safety, and delivery.
Strategic & Planning
- Prepare and maintain master plans for BAU and major capex works (biannual cycle)
- Develop early-stage cost advice to support commercial decision-making
Cost & Project Management
- Produce detailed project budgets and cost plans with cash-flow forecasting
- Actively review scope, design, and tender information to identify gaps, risks, and opportunities
- Lead value engineering and advise on value-for-money improvements
- Monitor costs against approved budgets and escalate risks or funding requirements
- Manage change control, including estimates, approvals, tracking, and reporting
Procurement & Contracts
- Support procurement and tendering activities, including pricing schedules and evaluations
- Participate in contractor and supplier selection
- Assess valuations, materials off-site, and payment recommendations
- Evaluate claims, loss & expense, payless notices, and extensions of time
- Negotiate section, practical completion, and final accounts
Risk, Safety & Compliance
- Provide cost input to project risk management and early warning processes
- Maintain awareness of Health & Safety risks and report issues in line with company policy
- Support insurance claims and capital allowances activities
Reporting & Administration
- Attend project and team meetings and provide clear commercial reporting
- Raise and manage purchase requests and purchase orders (Coupa)
- Maintain accurate project records using the document management system (ASite)
Who We’re Looking For
Essential
- 4+ years’ experience in cost management / quantity surveying
- Strong exposure to building and MEP works
- Experience working in complex or regulated environments
- Excellent commercial awareness and stakeholder communication
- Proactive, organised, and comfortable managing multiple projects
Desirable
- Degree in QS / Commercial Management (or equivalent)
- Professional membership (e.g. RICS)
- Experience in sectors such as healthcare, pharma, transport, utilities, or critical facilities
- Experience with Coupa and/or ASite
Why Join?
- Client-side role with real influence over cost and strategy
- Exposure to technically challenging, high-value projects
- Supportive commercial team with strong governance and standards