Quantity Surveyor/Estimator

Cityscape Recruitment
Location: London (Hybrid)
Projects: Nationwide Travel Required

The Opportunity A growing and highly respected fit-out and construction specialist is seeking an experienced Quantity Surveyor & Estimating Lead to join its leadership team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially minded professional who can combine traditional estimating expertise with a strategic approach to pricing, supplier management, and process improvement. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the company’s commercial function, driving profitability, and developing innovative pricing systems that support future growth.

The role offers significant scope to influence business performance, commercial strategy, and the development of AI-enabled estimating capabilities.
The Role Reporting directly to senior leadership, the Quantity Surveyor & Estimating Lead will take ownership of the estimating and pricing function across a diverse portfolio of retail, commercial, and fit-out projects.
The successful candidate will be responsible for producing accurate and commercially competitive tenders while developing robust pricing frameworks, supplier intelligence, and data-driven estimating processes.
This position is ideally suited to an individual who enjoys both the technical aspects of estimating and the strategic challenge of building scalable commercial systems.
Key Responsibilities

Estimating & Tendering

• Lead the preparation of detailed cost estimates and tender submissions.
• Analyse drawings, specifications, schedules, and project documentation.
• Produce accurate cost breakdowns and pricing models.
• Ensure tenders are commercially competitive while protecting margin.
• Collaborate with operational teams to align pricing with delivery capability and project risk.

Commercial Strategy & Margin Optimisation

• Evaluate project risks, assumptions, and commercial opportunities.
• Develop multiple pricing scenarios to support bid strategy.
• Contribute to bid/no-bid decisions through commercial analysis.
• Monitor estimate accuracy and identify opportunities for margin improvement.
• Support business growth through informed commercial decision-making.

Pricing Systems & Innovation

• Develop and maintain a centralised pricing and estimating framework.
• Standardise labour rates, supplier costs, benchmarks, and pricing assumptions.
• Build feedback loops between project delivery and future estimates.
• Drive continuous improvement within the estimating function.
• Support the implementation of AI, automation, and data-driven pricing tools.

Supply Chain & Cost Management

• Develop and manage supplier and subcontractor databases.
• Benchmark supplier performance across cost, quality, reliability, and service.
• Identify procurement efficiencies and cost-saving opportunities.
• Ensure supplier intelligence is incorporated into pricing strategies.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in quantity surveying, estimating, or commercial management within the construction, fit-out, interiors, or retail sectors.
They will demonstrate excellent commercial awareness, strong analytical skills, and a proactive approach to improving systems and processes.
Essential Experience

• Proven experience in a Quantity Surveying, Estimating, or Commercial Management role.
• Strong understanding of construction costs, procurement, and tendering processes.
• Experience preparing detailed cost plans and competitive tenders.
• Excellent commercial and financial acumen.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and estimating software.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

Desirable Experience

• Retail fit-out or interior construction experience.
• Experience developing estimating systems or commercial databases.
• Exposure to business intelligence, automation, or AI-based tools.
• Experience supporting strategic commercial decision-making.

Personal Attributes The successful candidate is likely to be:

• Commercially focused and results-driven.
• Detail-oriented and highly organised.
• Analytical and data-focused.
• Proactive in identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Comfortable working autonomously and taking ownership.
• Confident communicating with both operational and senior leadership teams.

Why Apply?

This opportunity offers far more than a traditional estimating role. The successful candidate will have the chance to influence commercial strategy, shape future pricing systems, and contribute directly to the growth and profitability of an ambitious and forward-thinking business.
It represents an excellent opportunity for an experienced estimator or quantity surveyor looking to take ownership of a wider commercial function and play a key role in driving innovation within the sector.