Quantity Surveyor

Role overview

Dandara is looking for a driven and commercially minded Quantity Surveyor to strengthen its commercial team in Braintree. The role supports the delivery of residential developments from early planning through to completion, with a focus on keeping projects financially controlled and commercially sound.

You will work alongside the Commercial Manager and wider project teams, helping to ensure homes are delivered to a high standard while budgets, cost controls and reporting remain on track throughout the build programme.

Key responsibilities

• Support the creation and ongoing control of site budgets.
• Contribute to cost planning and monitor expenditure across the full development cycle.
• Produce monthly cost updates and quarterly CVRs for senior review.
• Offer financial guidance to site management teams as projects progress.
• Maintain precise cost coding and project financial records.
• Prepare tender packs for subcontractors and assist with comparing bids.
• Help negotiate subcontract terms and package procurement arrangements.
• Draft subcontract orders and the related supporting paperwork.
• Administer subcontractor payments, change variations and final account settlements.
• Lead pre-order subcontractor meetings and keep accurate minutes and records.
• Work closely with construction, technical, engineering, buying and design teams to keep delivery moving.
• Coordinate with contractors and outside consultants on commercial issues.
• Take part in project review meetings and site visits.
• Assist with buying and scheduling materials where needed.
• Keep commercial files and project documentation up to date and organised.
• Review subcontractor risk assessments, method statements and safety paperwork.
• Help ensure compliance with company health and safety processes.
• Support sustainability goals, ESG activity and net zero commitments.

Candidate profile

The ideal applicant will already have experience in quantity surveying within residential housebuilding or construction. A solid grasp of commercial management and cost control is important, along with hands-on exposure to subcontractor accounts and procurement.

You should also bring strong organisational and communication skills, good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a wider team. Relevant industry qualifications would be an advantage.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary, depending on experience
• Car allowance
• Annual bonus scheme
• 33 days of holiday including bank holidays
• Private medical insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• 24-hour virtual doctor access through Health Hero, including appointments and support
• Access to the Health Assured Wisdom app
• Competitive parental leave
• Life assurance at 3 times salary, with an option to increase to 4 times salary for an additional cost
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Employer pension contribution matched up to 5%
• Flexible benefits such as shopping vouchers, airport parking and reduced gym membership

About the employer

Dandara was established in 1988 on the Isle of Man and is the housebuilding arm of Dandara Group. With more than 30 years of experience creating high-quality homes and strong customer service, the business has grown into one of the UK’s most respected private housebuilders, with developments across the country.