Quantity Surveyor - North Operations

Job summary

Do you want to work on one or the most exciting transformation projects in the public sector?

The Defence Housing Service (DHS) is being created through the Armed Forces Bill to deliver a step-change in housing for the UK’s Armed Forces and their families following the publication of the Defence Housing Strategy on 3 November 2025, which marked the most significant change to Armed Forces housing in over 50 years. DHS will bring a dedicated focus to improving the homes, communities and lived experience of Service personnel, placing families firmly at the heart of everything it does.

This is one of the most ambitious housing transformation programmes in the UK today. Backed by a £9.2 billion investment, DHS will modernise tens of thousands of homes, introduce a more proactive and customer-focused approach to maintenance, and unlock new opportunities to develop housing on Defence land. DHS will have the focus and agility to deliver change at pace, combining public service values with greater flexibility to build the skills, systems and partnerships needed for the future.

This is a rare opportunity to be part of shaping its culture, influencing how it works, and helping deliver lasting improvements for Service families across the UK.

The Defence Housing team is currently part of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), who respond to the evolving needs of our military personnel, and the ways in which they live, work, train and deploy. We are proud to be the expert partner Defence needs for all their infrastructure requirements. From large scale infrastructure projects such as runways for the F35 fighter jets to net carbon-zero accommodation for our Service families, our activities focus relentlessly on our customers, and our outputs are unique in the UK and across the globe! DIO , What we deliver every day.

The future delivery model for this team is currently under review and may change as part of potential organisational developments. This could include the team or function transferring to a different employer or organisational structure in the future. Should activities transfer out of the Ministry of Defence existing employees transferring with those activities will maintain the same or substantially the same terms and conditions of employment.

Job description

As a Quantity Surveyor in the Defence Housing Service (DHS), you will play a key role in delivering high-quality accommodation projects across the Service Family Accommodation (SFA) estate. You will lead cost management activities across a diverse portfolio of projects, providing expert commercial advice and acting as the intelligent client interface with industry partners. You will help ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest standards, while securing value for money from public funds, managing commercial risk and supporting the continuous improvement of homes and services for Defence personnel and their families.

What you’ll be doing;

• Lead the preparation of feasibility estimates, cost plans and bills of quantities.
• Manage project budgets and develop accurate financial forecasts throughout the project lifecycle.
• Undertake value engineering activities to maximise value for money and drive cost efficiencies.
• Resolve contract disputes, compensation events and variation claims.
• Conduct detailed financial evaluation of contractor proposals, valuations and final accounts.
• Provide early-stage cost advice, estimates and forecasting to support project planning and investment decisions.
• Establish and manage cost baselines, monitoring and reporting on cost changes and variances through RIBA Stages 0-6.
• Provide expert cost management advice to ensure projects deliver value for money.
• Review and assure cost estimates, risk assessments, investment appraisals and whole-life cost models.
• Analyse and validate cost data to support cost planning for both minor and major construction projects.
• Evaluate consultancy fee proposals and provide commercial support for external appointments.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, suppliers and delivery partners.
• Collaborate across project teams to resolve issues, remove barriers and achieve successful project outcomes.
• Prepare and present accurate project reporting, including financial, risk and performance information.
• Ensure compliance with Ministry of Defence and wider government governance, assurance and audit requirements.

Whilst this role is advertised as a full-time position of 37 hours per week, we recognise the benefits of flexible working and are open to discussing part-time hours, job share arrangements, or other flexible working patterns with suitable candidates. Regular in-person attendance is required (this is expected to be approximately 60% of your working week) to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance and business need. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

Person specification

The role requires you to have an awareness of UK public sector procurement policies, managing public funds and an understanding of project management methodologies.

If the successful candidate does not have a Prince2 or APM Project Management qualification on appointment, there is a training package available for you to work to accreditation in line with the Government Online Skills Tool Kit - Project Delivery (https://projectdelivery.gov.uk/). You will be required to achieve this within 2 years of joining.

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

1. Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or a related discipline, with proven experience managing the commercial, financial and cost aspects of construction, infrastructure, estates or housing projects to achieve successful delivery outcomes.
2. Demonstrable experience in contract and supplier management, including performance monitoring, KPI assurance, managing underperformance and supporting remediation activities.
3. Ability to manage complex or multi-site projects, effectively managing competing priorities, risks, dependencies and stakeholder expectations.
4. Experience working with framework contracts, such as Crown Commercial Service (CCS) or other industry-recognised procurement frameworks, ensuring compliance and value for money throughout project delivery.
5. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build productive relationships, influence decision-making and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
6. The ability to use computers and related technology efficiently, with a good command of Excel and good analytical skills

Desirable

• Experience working within the public sector, housing, estates or property management environment

Licences

A full UK driving licence is essential, as the role requires regular travel to project sites across the Defence estate, many of which are remote and not easily accessible via public transport.

Qualifications

A relevant building qualification and qualification as a Quantity Surveyor

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Servi