Location: Brighton
Contract Type: Freelance (Day Rate)
Duration: 18-24 Months
Day Rate: Competitive, depending on experience
Role Overview
A leading main contractor is seeking a highly competent, commercially astute Freelance Quantity Surveyor to work closely with the Senior Quantity Surveyor (SQS) on a prestigious student residential development in Brighton.
This is a highly complex, multi-phased scheme that requires robust cost management across three distinct construction disciplines: the sensitive heritage refurbishment of a 19th-century building, a contemporary ground-up new build, and standard residential refurbishments, alongside significant enabling and decanting works.
The ideal candidate will have a strong main contractor background, bringing rigorous financial control, expert procurement skills, and the ability to manage the unique commercial risks associated with integrating historic structural refurbishments with modern construction.
Project Scope
Working alongside the SQS, you will be commercially responsible for several concurrent work packages:
- Walpole Lodge ("The Villa") & The Annex: Sensitive 19th-century refurbishment of the existing villa, Chapel, and Dormitory Wing into boarding accommodation.
- Contemporary New-Build Boarding House: Ground-up construction of a modern residential facility opposite The Villa.
- Staff Residential Accommodation: Refurbishment of two existing terraced properties.
- Enabling Works: Decanting of the existing preparatory school, site setup, demolition, and main works preparation.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement & Subcontractor Management
- Lead the procurement schedule across both heritage restoration packages (e.g., specialist stonework, lime plaster, leadwork) and modern new-build packages (e.g., groundworks, steel frame, modern MEP).
- Draft, negotiate, and place comprehensive subcontractor orders, ensuring scopes of work are watertight to mitigate commercial risk.
- Manage subcontractor accounts from initial valuation through to agreement of final accounts, including the assessment of dayworks, variations, and delay claims.
Commercial Control & Reporting
- Work closely with the SQS to prepare and present detailed monthly Cost Value Reconciliations (CVRs) and cash flow forecasts.
- Proactively manage the change control process. Identify, price, and agree on variations early, particularly managing the "unforeseen" risks inherent in the 19th-century Walpole Lodge refurbishment.
- Ensure accurate site records are maintained by the project delivery team to support substantiation of variations and potential claims.
Client & Stakeholder Liaison
- Work collaboratively with the College Estates Team, Employer's Agent, and Client PQS to agree on monthly valuations and progress payments.
- Provide accurate cost advice and value engineering options to the client and design team, particularly during the early enabling and decant phases.
- Ensure all commercial activities comply with the main contract conditions (e.g., JCT) and internal company governance.
Candidate Profile & Qualifications
Essential Experience
- Minimum 5-8 years of experience as a QS working for established UK main contractors.
- Proven commercial track record on projects valued between £10m-£30m.
- Crucial: Experience managing the distinct commercial profiles of both heritage/listed building refurbishments (handling unforeseen variations) and ground-up new builds.
- Previous experience in the education sector, specifically dealing with phased logistics and live-campus constraints, is highly advantageous.
- Strong working knowledge of JCT forms of contract.
Qualifications
- BSc in Quantity Surveying or Commercial Management (or equivalent).
- MRICS / MCIOB accreditation is desirable but not essential for the right freelance candidate.
- Valid CSCS Card.
Engagement Details
- Start Date: Immediate / ASAP (to align with enabling works and procurement phases).
Randstad CPE values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.
Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.
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