Overview
Managing Quantity Surveyor – St. Albans, Hertfordshire
About Barhale
Who are Barhale?
Barhale is a business founded on family values, having been established by our Chairman, Dennis Curran, in 1980. We are one of the largest privately owned civil engineering and infrastructure specialists in the UK, with over 40 years of experience in providing design, civil engineering and maintenance services working across multiple sectors, including:
- Water
- Transport
- Built environment
- Energy
We operate as a tier one partner for blue chip, regulated and private clients, working as part of large frameworks, joint ventures and alliances, as well as on individual standalone projects, developing long-term relationships based on delivering to the Barhale values which have been integral to our business since their inception in 1985.
Our direct delivery model is at the core of everything we do, as we believe that people are our greatest asset. Therefore, we robustly source, train and retain all our own frontline delivery teams as well as management and support services. We employ over 1,200 employees nationwide.
We possess a range of specialist skills to support our civil engineering and infrastructure activities, including:
- Tunnelling
- MEICA
- Temporary and permanent design
- Steel-fabrication
- Signs (design and fabrication)
- Health & safety equipment and products, including PPE
Company Website:
Company Showcase Video:
Why join Barhale?
- As Gold Investors in People, we are committed to a high standard of people practices, creating an inclusive environment and ensuring cultural alignment to business strategy, ethos and philosophies.
- Job security, long-term secured work through various frameworks and large infrastructure schemes
- A broad range of civil engineering, mechanical and electrical schemes across some of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects and clients
- Strong career progression as demonstrated by our track record in promoting from within, as we believe this is a key driver of our success
Role Profile: Managing Quantity Surveyor
Reporting to: Commercial Manager/Regional Head of Commercial
Role Overview
Managing Quantity Surveyors are integral members of project teams, providing daily commercial leadership and support to project delivery teams and senior management. The role drives commercial performance across civil engineering projects by delivering cost efficiency, high‑quality commercial analysis and effective risk management in line with contractual and business requirements.
Role Purpose
To lead the commercial management of projects, ensuring accurate cost and value reporting, robust cash management, effective subcontract procurement and strong contractual control. The role identifies and realises commercial opportunities while protecting the business from commercial risk and ensuring compliance with corporate governance and internal processes.
Key Accountabilities
Commercial Management & Governance
- Provide accurate and timely cost and value reporting at the project and business unit level to support Group reporting
- Draft, update and manage monthly CVRs, cost plans and commercial plans
- Ensure accurate cash flow reporting and forecasting
- Support and enforce compliance with internal commercial processes and governance requirements
- Actively seek to improve commercial processes and procedures
Financial Performance
- Lead cost management and project forecasting activities
- Compile upstream applications for payment and manage project cash flow
- Prepare project applications for payment through to final account settlement
- Work with the wider project team to forecast predicted expenditure and cash recovery in line with business unit expectations
- Identify, record and realise commercial opportunities to enhance project performance
- Focus on driving value through subcontract procurement
Contract & Risk Management
- Effectively manage main contract and subcontract agreements, primarily IChemE and NEC forms
- Ensure contract terms and conditions align with corporate governance requirements
- Identify, manage and mitigate commercial risks in conjunction with the project delivery team
- Manage contractual change, claims and additional payment discussions with clients and third parties
- Protect the business from commercial and contractual risk throughout the project lifecycle
- Undertake monthly on-site Commercial Inspections
Leadership & Capability
- Provide commercial leadership and guidance to site and project teams
- Share best practices and proactively advise teams on cost management and efficiencies
- Support the development of commercial capability within project teams
- Demonstrate strong commercial acumen and problem‑solving skills in day‑to‑day decision‑making
Stakeholder Management
- Liaise with clients, client representatives and third parties on commercial matters
- Lead engagement with the supply chain, ensuring appropriate contractual arrangements
- Build and maintain effective relationships with subcontractors and suppliers
- Work collaboratively with project delivery, finance and senior management teams
Key Interfaces
- Commercial Manager / Regional Head of Commercial
- Project Managers and Site Teams
- Finance Teams
- Clients and Client Representatives
- Subcontractors and Supply Chain Partners
Inter-company trading
- Proactively optimise inter-company trading wherever possible
- Collaborate effectively within the corporate group entities
Success Measures (KPIs)
- Accuracy and timeliness of cost, value and cash reporting
- Margin and cash performance versus forecast
- Quality and robustness of CVRs and commercial plans
- Effective management of commercial risk and contractual change
- Successful procurement and management of subcontractors
- Contribution to process improvement and best practice sharing
About you
Essential
- Previous experience in the construction industry
- Familiarity with IChemE/ NEC forms of contract and knowledge and understanding of Construction Law
- Previous experience in commercial management and procurement of subcontractors, including chairing regular meetings, measurement and control cycle, certificates, and accruals calculations
- Demonstrable experience of monthly forecasting and cost analysis.
- Excellent communication, numeric and computer literacy skills, proficient in Microsoft Office
- Excellent organisation and time management skills, with the ability to work effectively to tight deadlines
Desirable
- Member of RICS or other relevant professional body, or working towards
- CSCS card
- HND/degree (or equivalent) in Quantity Surveying
- Demonstrable knowledge and experience in estimation
- Experience working for a direct delivery contractor
- An engaging communicator with problem-solving skills
Caring and investing in you
Our values have been embedded at Barhale for over 40 years, and they are our guiding principles regarding how we care and invest in people. Our values are our commitment to being a people-centric company.
As a Gold Investors in People company and a Sunday Times 100 Best Company to Work For, we are committed to investing in people. We are passionate about creating a working environment where people are supported throughout their careers, where people can enjoy security and be part of a company that cares about them.
From the moment you join us, your well-being and career aspirations will be supported by.
- Competitive salary
- Company Pension
- Life Assurance
- Private Medical
- 25 days of annual leave in addition to 8 public bank holidays and loyalty days
- 8 hours volunteering
- Employee Assistance Programme to support your mental, physiological and financial wellbeing
- Flexible benefits via salary sacrifice
- Company car/green car scheme/car allowance/Van (dependent on position)
- Leadership & management training and coaching
- Regular line management engagement and appraisal to support your career progression
- Development supported by internal and externally delivered training
- Continuous service awards
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
