Senior Quantity Surveyor / Senior Cost Manager - Healthcare - Tunbridge Wells

Job Description

Overview

Shape healthcare environments that matter. Lead projects that improve patient outcomes and support the future of care.

At AtkinsRéalis, we bring together technical excellence, digital innovation and a collaborative mindset to improve the built environment. Our London & Southeast Cost Management team within Buildings & Places leads complex healthcare, public sector and estate transformation programmes, helping clients create safe, resilient, efficient and future-ready clinical environments.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor / Senior Cost Manager to join our Tunbridge Wells team, leading healthcare and complex public-sector commissions, providing trusted commercial advice, and coordinating teams in operational environments where patient safety, clinical continuity, compliance and stakeholder confidence are critical. Working hybrid and flexibly across London (Nova North), Tunbridge Wells, Epsom and Oxford, you will support NHS Trusts and other healthcare clients on major capital projects, estate transformation, refurbishment, backlog maintenance, compliance-led programmes and infrastructure improvements, with opportunities across education, life sciences, public sector and other complex property commissions. The role is suited to a chartered cost manager who can independently lead commissions from feasibility through completion, balance affordability with safety and operational requirements, and communicate confidently with estates, finance, clinical, design and contractor stakeholders while working with Associate Directors and Directors on strategic accounts and taking day-to-day accountability for projects and teams.

Your role

Lead cost management commissions from inception to completion, taking accountability for scope, quality, programme, client satisfaction and commercial performance; act as the primary day-to-day client interface, providing clear, evidence-based advice and building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders.

Prepare and assure feasibility studies, business case cost inputs, estimates, cost plans, cash flows, risk allowances, benchmarking and commercial reports; develop procurement and contracting strategies, manage tender processes and provide recommendations.

Lead post-contract cost management including valuations, forecasting, change control, risk management, cost reporting and final account negotiations; administer or support contracts under JCT, NEC and other relevant forms, ensuring timely and robust records.

Plan and manage commercial delivery within live healthcare environments; establish project governance, reporting and controls; identify cost, programme, procurement and delivery risks, lead mitigation, value management and option appraisal activities.

Engage and coordinate stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams; manage project resources and commission finances; support bids and presentations; identify repeat-business opportunities; coach and mentor team members; champion inclusive behaviours, health and safety, sustainability, digital delivery, data quality and continuous improvement; represent AtkinsRéalis with integrity, credibility and sound professional judgement.

About you

Strong experience delivering quantity surveying / cost management services within healthcare, public sector or complex built-environment sectors, preferably within a consultancy, with a proven track record of independently leading commissions and maintaining client relationships from feasibility through post-contract delivery and close-out.

Experience of NHS Trusts, public-sector frameworks, live estates, complex refurbishment, backlog maintenance and major healthcare capital schemes; detailed knowledge of pre-contract and post-contract cost management, including estimating, cost planning, procurement, tendering, contract administration, change control and final accounts.

Strong working knowledge of NEC and JCT contracts, public-sector procurement and governance, applying contractual and commercial principles in practice; confidence to chair meetings, present recommendations, challenge constructively and influence clients, consultants, contractors and senior decision-makers.

Understanding of healthcare delivery constraints, including clinical continuity, phasing, decant, compliance, risk, stakeholder approvals and operational resilience; strong analytical, commercial and problem-solving capability, interpreting complex cost and project information and communicating it clearly.

Experience planning and supervising others, reviewing technical outputs and supporting professional development, with strong commission management discipline including fee management, resource planning, forecasting, scope control, invoicing and cash awareness; degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or related discipline, with MRICS or equivalent recognised professional qualification; proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel and CostX or comparable platforms; active interest in digital cost management, market intelligence, sustainability, data and emerging technology.

Expectations at Senior Level

Independently mobilise, plan and lead commissions, with clear ownership of outputs, deadlines, project controls and client outcomes; produce and review complex technical deliverables, identify weaknesses in information and apply proportionate professional judgement before advice is issued.

Become the recognised day-to-day commercial lead, anticipate client needs and communicate issues with clarity, confidence and proposed solutions; balance affordability, programme and value with patient safety, compliance, clinical continuity and estate resilience, escalating trade-offs transparently.

Understand the commission appointment and fee, control scope and resource, manage change promptly and protect both client value and business performance; set clear expectations, delegate meaningful responsibility, provide constructive review and create development opportunities for others.

Turn excellent delivery into repeat work, contribute strongly to bids and bring relevant client and market intelligence into the wider team; model ethical behaviour, maintain accurate records, follow governance and quality requirements and escalate material risks appropriately; demonstrate increasing readiness to lead larger commissions, strategic client relationships and wider team responsibilities at Associate Director level.

What success looks like

Commissions are delivered to the agreed scope, programme, quality and commercial objectives, with strong client feedback.

Cost forecasts and reports are accurate, timely and trusted, with risks and change identified early and managed actively.

Commercial advice supports safe, compliant and operationally workable healthcare outcomes without losing focus on affordability and value.

Clients see you as a reliable adviser and provide repeat commissions, referrals or opportunities to broaden our services.

Project teams have clear direction, responsibilities and review arrangements, and junior colleagues show visible development.

Commission fees, resources, scope and cash are managed proactively, with issues escalated before they affect performance.

You contribute consistently to bids, account development, knowledge sharing and improvement of technical standards.

You demonstrate the judgement, leadership and market awareness needed to progress Managing Quantity Surveyor.

Development and benefits

We will support your continued development through professional, technical and leadership learning, mentoring and opportunities to broaden your experience across clients, sectors and our global business. You will have the opportunity to strengthen your commission leadership, account management and people-management capability as part of a clear pathway toward Managing Quantity Surveyor. AtkinsRéalis offers a flexible range of benefi