Senior QS (Defence)

  • Winsearch
  • Barrow-in-furness, Cumbria
  • 14/08/2026
Full time Construction Quantity Surveyor Management Commercial Manager

Job Description

Senior Quantity Surveyor / Commercial Manager

Barrow-in-Furness
Site-based
£75,000 per annum + package
Permanent

Winsearch UK is proud to partner with a long-established specialist contractor operating across roofing, waterproofing, cladding and wider building envelope projects.

My client has been operating for over 50 years and is recognised as one of the UK s leading roofing and cladding specialists, delivering major new build and refurbishment projects nationwide across sectors including commercial, industrial, education, healthcare, infrastructure and public sector works.

The role

This is a senior commercial role based on site in Barrow-in-Furness, working on a long-term, high-value project portfolio.

They are looking for an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor who can take ownership of commercial strategy, NEC contract management, subcontract procurement, compensation events, risk management and project reporting.

This is not a development role for someone stepping up. They need someone already operating at Senior QS level or above, with the confidence to work closely with the Commercial Director, project teams, subcontractors, consultants and client representatives.

What you ll be doing
  • Leading commercial management across a major project / project portfolio
  • Reporting into the Commercial Director
  • Preparing and agreeing commercial strategies from tender stage through to site delivery
  • Managing NEC subcontract procurement and negotiation
  • Leading the pricing and management of high-value compensation events
  • Reviewing contract risks, opportunities and commercial issues
  • Managing subcontractor and supplier down-selection and appointment
  • Preparing and issuing ITTs and managing the tender process
  • Validating cost build-ups, estimates and subcontractor pricing
  • Supporting dispute avoidance and commercial assurance
  • Liaising with clients, subcontractors, consultants and internal teams
  • Mentoring and developing junior commercial staff where required
What my client is looking for
  • Minimum 5 years experience at Senior QS level or above
  • Strong NEC contract experience
  • Experience managing high-value projects or project portfolios
  • Background with a main contractor or specialist subcontractor
  • Experience across projects valued roughly between £5m and £50m
  • Strong subcontract procurement and negotiation experience
  • Confident managing compensation events
  • Ability to challenge estimates, cost build-ups and commercial assumptions
  • Strong client, subcontractor and stakeholder management skills
  • Degree in Quantity Surveying or a related subject would be beneficial
  • Roofing, cladding, waterproofing or building envelope experience would be useful
  • Defence sector experience would be beneficial but is not essential
Security requirements

Due to the nature of the project, candidates must be eligible to obtain SC clearance.

Sole UK nationality is required for clearance eligibility.

The type of person who ll do well

This role will suit someone commercially sharp, organised and confident operating in a senior site-based position.

You ll need to be hands-on with the detail, but also able to think strategically across the wider project portfolio. My client is looking for someone who can challenge constructively, manage risk properly and build strong working relationships with the client, supply chain and internal teams.

Package
  • £75,000 per annum
  • All reasonable expenses covered
  • 25 days annual leave plus statutory bank holidays
  • £200 loyalty payment each year on anniversary of start date
  • Half-day leave entitlement for birthday, in addition to annual leave
  • Corporate private healthcare
  • 4% employer pension contribution
  • Working hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am 5:00pm
  • Business travel costs fully reimbursed where required
Why consider it?

This is a strong opportunity to join a respected specialist contractor in a senior commercial position, working on a long-term, high-value project with genuine responsibility and visibility.

If you re an experienced Senior QS or Commercial Manager with NEC contract experience and you re open to a site-based role in Barrow-in-Furness, get in touch with Winsearch UK for a confidential chat.

INDWIN

Our clients and their customers come from diverse backgrounds and so do we. We hire our people from various walks of life, each of whom make our company stronger with their talent, uniqueness, and expertise. This is what makes our company special; if you want to help us grow and take this ethos to our clients, then we cannot wait to collaborate with you!

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