Commercial Assistant / Assistant Quantity Surveyor
Henley Chase
Commercial Assistant / Assistant Quantity Surveyor
Start Date: Ideally 1st October
Type: Permanent
The Role
We are looking for a Commercial Assistant / Assistant Quantity Surveyor to provide commercial and operational support across live construction projects.
This role would suit someone with 1–3 years’ experience who is looking for their next step, or someone from a strong operations/pre-construction background who wants to develop their commercial knowledge.
The role is delivery-focused, working closely with Project Managers and the wider operations team. While commercial management is an important part of the position, the role will also provide broader office-based operational and project support.
Key Responsibilities
- Support Project Managers with the day-to-day commercial management of live projects.
- Assist with preparing and managing project budgets and cost plans.
- Track project costs against budgets and highlight variances.
- Assist with forecasting project costs and commercial reporting.
- Support the management, pricing and documentation of variations.
- Maintain accurate cost records and commercial documentation.
- Assist with subcontractor and supplier procurement from enquiry through to order.
- Prepare RFQs, analyse quotations and support supplier selection.
- Compare quotations and ensure value for money.
- Assist with negotiating commercial terms where required.
- Track orders, deliveries and subcontractor packages against programme.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with subcontractors and suppliers.
- Assist with preparing subcontract orders and supporting documentation.
- Support subcontractor valuations, payments and final accounts.
- Attend project, supplier and subcontractor meetings where required.
- Contribute to weekly and monthly cost, risk and progress reporting.
- Help identify commercial risks and opportunities across live projects.
- Maintain project records, including relevant health, safety and quality documentation.
- Provide administrative and operational support to Project Managers and the wider team.
- Assist with improving commercial, procurement and operational processes.
Requirements
- 1–3 years’ experience in Quantity Surveying, commercial management, operations or a similar role.
- Construction, fit-out or related industry experience.
- Understanding of commercial and procurement principles.
- Strong numerical and analytical skills.
- Excellent attention to detail and organisation.
- Commercially aware with a willingness to learn and develop.
- Confident communicator when dealing with internal teams and external suppliers.
- Able to manage multiple tasks across live projects.
- Proactive, adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
- Ideally qualified, or working towards a qualification, in Quantity Surveying or a related discipline.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will not necessarily be a traditional QS. We are open to candidates from a commercial, operations or pre-construction background who have strong organisational skills and want to develop their career.
This is an opportunity for an early-career professional to take the next step, gain wider exposure across live construction projects and develop into a broader commercial/operations position.
Application opens at the source listing. Free for jobseekers.