Assistant Quantity Surveyor

United Utilities (UU) is proud to be ranked #11 in The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List. We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of and to belong to.

Our mission is to deliver high-quality water for a more prosperous, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll join a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution. These include:

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service, in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• A 10.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme

Our projects are designed to be environmentally and socially responsible and will offer you opportunities to learn and grow throughout the project cycle. As part of our commercial team, you will benefit from a range of training and development programs, such as Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES) membership/chartered status, leadership coaching, professional accreditation and mentoring. We are here to support you in reaching your full potential and thriving in your career and beyond.

The role

Are you an experienced Assistant Quantity Surveyor looking for a rewarding career, that combines your passion for construction and stakeholder management with sustainable, large-scale projects that benefit society and the environment? If yes, then United Utilities (UU) have exciting opportunities for you to join our teams across multiple locations in the North West of England.

UU are experiencing a period of growth and transformation, creating several opportunities within our Commercial function to work alongside our largest and most ambitious new projects. As an Assistant Quantity Surveyor you will support one of several business-critical teams, managing a multitude of responsibilities. You will have the opportunity to manage a range of activities, including contract management, risk analysis, supplier collaboration and commercial operations, whilst ensuring value for money for our customers and our continued commitment to North West, England. Our roles will offer the opportunity for you to join during a period of unprecedented development, allowing you to grow within our organisation, tailoring your role to requirements and enhancing your value-contribution throughout your tenure.

In joining us, you will have full exposure to the organisation, our major projects and our largest industry partners. Stakeholder collaboration is vital for this role. You will therefore need to build strong working relationships, manage key internal and external stakeholders effectively and ensure a full business partnering model, whilst maximising value, collaborating with other experts and leading initiatives to tackle challenges unique to our industry, contributing to our success and helping us achieve our objectives.

We champion flexible ways of working. In-person attendance is required three days per week to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration, alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance

Key responsibilities

• Provide support and timely escalation to the Quantity Surveyor and/or Senior Quantity Surveyor and/or Commercial Manager.
• Commercially manage a portfolio of Works contracts to ensure that they are delivered in accordance with the contracted terms and conditions and that all issues are mitigated and managed to protect UU commercial interests.
• Manage post-contract commercial processes and procedures to deliver key commercial requirements on projects. These will include early warning and change management; cost forecasting; payments; cost auditing and agreement of final accounts.
• Negotiate and resolve contract claims/disputes and support senior managers in the resolution of escalated issues.
• Attend progress meetings and site visits.
• Maintain contract data with a high degree of accuracy to support robust management information and reporting.
• Actively support the contract assurance model to ensure improvements to service provision and cost to serve.

Skills & experience

• Quantity Surveying degree or equivalent; alternatively sufficient relevant experience to support the requirements of the RICS Professional Experience Route.
• Knowledge of key quantity surveying processes, tools and methodologies used across the whole project life-cycle.
• Knowledge and experience in the use of standard forms of construction contract (preferably including NEC suite of contracts).
• Experience of managing the commercial function on projects.
• Ability to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Have an aptitude and willingness to continue to develop and apply knowledge gained during ongoing training and experience to situations encountered in the working environment.
• Registered as a student member of a relevant institution (e.g. Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Institution of Civil Engineers or equivalent).
• Full UK Driving License

We believe in empowering you to achieve your aspirations and dreams, both in your work and in your life.

• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions.
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes