Are you an experienced Managing Quantity Surveyor with a strong background in rail infrastructure, looking to take the next step towards a Commercial Manager position?
 
Do you have proven experience leading commercial teams, managing multiple live projects and delivering accurate commercial reporting within a fast-paced, high-volume environment?
 
Would you be interested in joining a major, long-term Network Rail programme, with a strong pipeline of work through to 2034 and a clear opportunity to progress into a Commercial Manager role?
 
Location: Blackfriars + hybrid working (3 days per week in the office)
Salary: £79,000 to £96,668 per annum DOE + £7,560 car allowance
Benefits:
·Company Car scheme / £7,560 annual car allowance
·25 days Annual Leave (and a day off for your birthday)
·Private Healthcare
·Pension and Life Assurance
·Hybrid working, typically 3 days per week in the office or on site
·Enhanced Paternity & Maternity package
·Ongoing professional development and support towards chartership
·Clear progression opportunity towards Commercial Manager level
 
Role Overview:
My client is looking to appoint an experienced Managing Quantity Surveyor to join its growing commercial team, supporting the delivery of Electrification & Plant (E&P) works across the Southern Renewals Enterprise.
 
SRE is a £9bn, 10-year programme running from 2024 to 2034, transforming the delivery of rail renewals across Network Rail''s Southern region. As one of a small number of Project 13 enterprise agreements, the programme offers the opportunity to work within a collaborative delivery model, with a substantial pipeline of long-term infrastructure work.
 
The successful candidate will initially take commercial responsibility for the distribution portfolio, valued at approximately £35m per year, covering Kent, Sussex and Wessex. The wider contract is valued at approximately £305m, with the current portfolio comprising 22 projects and approximately 148 individual work banks.
 
This is a particularly high-volume, reporting-intensive environment, with multiple smaller work packages running concurrently and strict four-weekly reporting cycles. The role requires someone who is comfortable managing significant amounts of commercial data, overseeing financial performance and ensuring demanding reporting deadlines are consistently achieved.
 
You will lead an established commercial team of approximately 12, including graduates, apprentices, Quantity Surveyors and Senior Quantity Surveyors, providing both strategic direction and hands-on commercial support.
 
With the framework expected to expand significantly, this position offers a genuine opportunity to progress into a Commercial Manager role, potentially overseeing a larger team of 22+ commercial professionals as the programme develops.
 
The role will be based at Blackfriars, with an expectation of three days per week in the office to support team management, collaboration and commercial delivery.
 
This is a permanent opportunity for an established Managing Quantity Surveyor who enjoys being involved in the detail, thrives under pressure and is looking to take the next step in their commercial career.
 
Key Responsibilities:
·Lead the commercial management and financial performance of a large portfolio of rail infrastructure projects, ensuring cost, value, risk and profitability are effectively controlled.
·Manage and develop a commercial team of approximately 12, providing leadership, mentoring, performance management and ongoing professional development.
·Oversee commercial reporting, including Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR), forecasting, cost plans, applications and financial performance reviews.
·Ensure accurate and timely completion of weekly and four-weekly commercial reporting requirements, meeting strict Network Rail and internal deadlines.
·Manage a high volume of concurrent projects and individual work banks, ensuring commercial information remains accurate, current and effectively controlled.
·Review and analyse commercial data produced by the team, identifying discrepancies, challenging forecasts and implementing solutions to improve performance.
·Monitor cash flow, financial constraints and project expenditure, proactively identifying commercial risks and opportunities.
·Oversee subcontract administration, procurement, payment assessments, variations, change control and final accounts.
·Ensure contracts are administered in accordance with NEC requirements, including NEC4 Options A and E, maintaining appropriate commercial governance and contractual compliance.
·Work closely with Project Managers, operational teams and senior commercial stakeholders to support successful project delivery.
·Provide clear commercial direction to the team, communicating changing priorities, explaining commercial decisions and ensuring everyone understands wider programme objectives.
·Support the Commercial Manager with commercial strategy, resource planning, process improvements and the development of the wider commercial function.
·Maintain effective relationships with Network Rail, delivery partners, subcontractors and other key stakeholders.
·Ensure appropriate commercial controls, reporting procedures and approval processes are consistently followed across the portfolio.
·Take a proactive, hands-on approach to resolving commercial challenges, supporting team members and maintaining performance within a demanding delivery environment.
 
Essential Requirements:
·Established experience operating at Managing Quantity Surveyor level, ideally with at least 2 years'' experience managing commercial responsibilities and teams.
·Previous experience working within the rail infrastructure sector, in a contractor or subcontractor environment.
·Strong experience managing multiple concurrent projects or packages within a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
·A proven track record in commercial reporting, forecasting, CVR, cost control and financial performance management.
·Experience leading, managing and developing Quantity Surveying teams, including performance management and wider people management responsibilities.
·Good working knowledge of NEC contracts, ideally NEC4 Options A and E, although candidates with strong NEC3 experience will also be considered.
·Experience overseeing subcontract administration, applications for payment, variations, contractual obligations and commercial governance.
·The ability to confidently analyse significant volumes of commercial information, challenge performance and make informed commercial decisions.
·Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines and maintain reporting accuracy under pressure.
·A proactive and hands-on management style, with the confidence to support the team operationally while maintaining oversight of wider commercial performance.
·Excellent communication, stakeholder management and leadership skills, with the ability to influence, motivate and develop commercial teams.
·Good IT proficiency, particularly Microsoft Excel and commercial cost management and reporting systems.
·A degree or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or a related discipline.
 
Desired Requirements:
·Previous experience within rail Electrification & Plant (E&P), particularly distribution, feeder or associated infrastructure works.
·Experience working on Network Rail frameworks, rail maintenance programmes or high-volume renewals contracts.
·A background in rail maintenance or reactive infrastructure delivery, with experience managing repetitive work cycles and multiple smaller work packages.
·Experience using COINS or similar commercial cost management software.
·Familiarity with PayApps or similar subcontract payment management systems.
·Professional membership of RICS, CICES or another recognised professional body, or actively working towards chartership.
·A valid CSCS card and PTS card, although these can be obtained where required.
·A clear ambition to progress into a Commercial Manager position as the programme and commercial team continue to expand.
 
This is an excellent opportunity for an established Managing Quantity Surveyor looking to take the next step towards Commercial Manager within a major, long-term Network Rail programme. With a substantial pipeline of work through to 2034, an expanding commercial team and genuine progression opportunities, the role offers the chance to take on significant responsibility and play a key part in the delivery of a high-profile rail infrastructure framework.
 
If you are interested in applying for this role, please email your CV to Brooke Stell at Carrington West or call (phone number removed) for a confidential discussion.