Senior Quantity Surveyor – Repairs & Maintenance – AR

Job Details

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Quantity Surveyor – Repairs & Maintenance

Grade: 12
Department: Housing / Asset Management – Repairs & Maintenance
Reports to: Head of Commercial & Contract Management
Direct Reports: 3
Salary Range: £54,360 – £61,686
Budget Responsibility: Up to £12m
Employer: Southwark Council

Job Purpose

To provide senior-level quantity surveying and commercial management support across housing repairs, maintenance, and investment programmes. The role is responsible for cost planning, budget control, procurement, contract management, and financial governance to ensure value for money, compliance, and effective delivery of housing asset works.

The postholder will also provide technical leadership and guidance to Quantity Surveyors and support strategic decision-making within the Housing Asset Management function.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Management & Budget Control

  • Lead cost planning, estimating, and financial control across planned maintenance, repairs, and refurbishment programmes
  • Manage and monitor budgets of up to £12m, ensuring effective cost control and forecasting
  • Control variations and ensure all expenditure is properly justified, authorised, and recorded
  • Prepare final accounts and financial reconciliation for completed works

Contract & Procurement Management

  • Prepare tender and pricing documentation for works and service contracts
  • Evaluate tender submissions and produce commercial recommendations
  • Manage contracts throughout the project lifecycle, including payments, valuations, and adjustments
  • Resolve contractual disputes and support agreement of final accounts

Commercial & Strategic Advice

  • Provide expert quantity surveying advice to senior managers and stakeholders
  • Support strategic planning through cost data, benchmarking, and long-term expenditure forecasting
  • Undertake value engineering and risk analysis to ensure value for money and risk mitigation
  • Ensure compliance with procurement rules, contract standing orders, and governance frameworks

Team Leadership & Management

  • Manage, supervise, and develop a small team of Quantity Surveyors and/or consultants
  • Provide mentoring, performance management, and training support
  • Allocate work and oversee delivery of outputs from internal and external resources

Stakeholder & Reporting

  • Prepare reports for senior management, councillors, tenant groups, and other stakeholders
  • Communicate financial performance, risks, and project progress clearly and accurately
  • Engage with contractors, suppliers, consultants, and resident representatives

Leaseholder & Compliance Work

  • Prepare cost estimates, notices, and financial documentation for leaseholder and housing charge purposes
  • Support dispute resolution and act as technical advisor in valuation and legal processes where required
  • Ensure compliance with audit requirements and financial controls

Site & Operational Duties

  • Undertake site visits to verify completed works and ensure valuation accuracy
  • Support inspection of works where required, including emergency or urgent situations
  • Occasional out-of-hours attendance for urgent housing or safety matters

Person Specification (Summary)

Essential Skills & Experience

  • Extensive experience in Quantity Surveying within housing, maintenance, or construction
  • Strong knowledge of contract administration (e.g. JCT contracts)
  • Proven experience managing multi-million-pound budgets
  • Experience in procurement, tendering, and contractor management
  • Ability to lead and manage staff or consultants
  • Strong analytical, negotiation, and financial control skills

Behavioural Requirements

  • Strong commitment to public sector values and value for money
  • Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders
  • High level of integrity, accuracy, and accountability
  • Strong communication skills, including report writing and presentations

Working Environment

  • Combination of office-based work and site visits
  • Engagement with contractors, residents, and senior council stakeholders
  • Occasional evening or weekend work for urgent matters
  • Requirement to follow health & safety procedures and use protective equipment when necessary