Managing Quantity Surveyor – Interior Fit-Out

About The Role

The Managing Quantity Surveyor (Managing QS) is responsible for the end-to-end delivery of post-contract commercial and procurement services across interior fit-out projects, from subcontractor procurement and package award through to interim valuations, cost control, variations, and final account close-out, ensuring accuracy, quality, compliance, and profitability in line with client requirements, company procedures, and applicable local regulations.

Responsibilities

The Managing Quantity Surveyor (M.QS) plays a key role in leading and managing the commercial team; accordingly, the M.QS shall be fully capable of performing the duties and responsibilities of both the Senior Quantity Surveyor (Sr. QS) and Quantity Surveyor (QS). The role is centred on post-contract delivery and procurement of fit-out packages/trades, and the M.QS shall undertake the responsibilities of the Sr. QS and QS where required.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, supervise, and mentor a team of Quantity Surveyors (Senior, Intermediate, Junior) across live fit-out projects.

• Allocate project and package responsibilities and monitor deliverables against agreed procurement and construction programmes.

• Ensure adherence to company standards, subcontract templates, and best practices.

• Coordinate closely with Project/Site Managers, Design Teams, Procurement, and other disciplines to align commercial delivery with site progress.

Procurement & Subcontractor Management (Core Responsibility)

• Own and mandatorily review the procurement strategy and package split for all interior fit-out trades, including but not limited to joinery & bespoke furniture, MEP, flooring, ceilings & partitions, painting & decoration, glazing, wall finishes, signage, and loose FF&E.

• Manage the full subcontractor procurement cycle: enquiry issue, tender clarifications, tender analysis and comparison, negotiation, and subcontract award.

• Oversee and mandatorily review subcontract BOQs/schedules of rates, scope-of-work matrices, and pricing schedules for measurement accuracy and completeness.

• Ensure procurement packages align with the approved project budget, programme, and client specification/quality standards.

• Negotiate and finalise subcontract sums, terms, and conditions with subcontractors and suppliers.

• Maintain and continuously develop an approved subcontractor and supplier database, including performance tracking and lessons learned.

• Ensure compliance with company procurement procedures, client requirements, and long-lead/FF&E procurement schedules.

Post-Contract Cost Management (Core Responsibility)

• Oversee and mandatorily review interim valuations and payment applications, both to the client/main contract and from subcontractors.

• Monitor project cost performance against the approved budget/contract sum and advise on corrective actions.

• Prepare and review cost reports, cash flow forecasts, and cost-to-complete forecasts throughout the project lifecycle.

• Manage and mandatorily review cost control and value engineering exercises to protect and optimise project margin.

• Track and report subcontractor retention, provisional sums, and prime cost adjustments to closure.

Contract Administration

• Review (mandatory) and administer main contract and subcontract conditions (FIDIC, bespoke fit-out subcontract forms, or equivalent). Highlight any risk identified and inform the client or relevant stakeholders.

• Identify contractual and commercial risks and formally advise clients and senior management.

• Manage and mandatorily review:

o Variations and change management

o Claims and EOT assessments (cost-related)

o Interim payment applications and retention releases

o Final accounts (main contract and subcontract)

• Maintain structured documentation for all contractual matters, including a live subcontract and variation register.

Client and Stakeholder Liaison

• Serve as the main QS point of contact for clients, consultants, and subcontractors.

• Attend project and progress meetings to present cost, procurement, and contractual matters.

• Provide commercial advice to clients, project/site managers, and senior management.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including approved subcontractors and suppliers.

Reporting & Deliverables

• Prepare and review:

o Monthly cost reports

o Cash flow forecasts

o Procurement status/tracker reports

o Project financial summaries

• Ensure all deliverables are reviewed, accurate, and client-compliant before submission.

• Maintain project cost and procurement databases and documentation.

• Present project financial status, procurement progress, and commercial risks to senior management.

Risk and Value Management

• Identify and manage cost and procurement-related risks throughout the post-contract project life cycle.

• Conduct value engineering workshops to improve buildability, programme, and cost efficiency.

• Advise on cost and programme implications of design changes, substitutions, and site-driven variations.

Documentation

• Prepare and maintain comprehensive project cost and procurement files and records.

• Produce detailed monthly reports, cost summaries, and cash flow forecasts.

• Support the Commercial Manager in preparing executive summaries for senior management or clients.

• Maintain organised project files, including drawings, subcontracts, correspondence, and cost data.

• Ensure proper documentation of all cost and procurement activities for audit and reporting purposes.

• Contribute to the overall efficiency of the commercial/QS department by supporting team priorities.

Compliance and Standards

• Ensure adherence to contract conditions (FIDIC or equivalent) and company subcontract templates.

• Apply standard industry practices and company procurement/commercial procedures.

• Maintain ethical and professional standards in all project and subcontractor dealings.

Professional Development

• Keep updated on current market/subcontractor rates, fit-out construction methods, and materials.

• Comply with company procedures and professional standards (e.g., RICS, AIQS).

• Continuously improve technical and analytical skills under senior guidance.

Strategic and Departmental Support

• Support the Director / Head of Commercial in departmental planning, resource allocation, and business development.

• Participate in proposal preparation and fee/tender bid submissions. (All proposals must be prepared in full compliance with client requirements. Director / Head of the department will provide only commercial figures; Managing QS must ensure the proposal documents, tables, and formats are ready for submission.)

• Ensure proposal submissions meet all client requirements before final delivery from admin.

• Implement standard commercial and procurement procedures, templates, and best practices across all projects.

Accountability

• All post-contract and procurement services (including subcontractor procurement, tender analysis, subcontract agreements, valuations, variations, and final accounts) shall be under the management and supervision of the Managing QS (M.QS).

• For all projects under the M.QS's responsibility, ensure that subcontract BOQs and scopes of work are fully coordinated with drawings and specifications, with no omissions, discrepancies, or measurement errors.

• Ensure full alignment and consistency between drawings, specifications, and subcontract/procurement documents at all stages, with zero discrepancies.

• As Managing QS, be capable of providing high-level commercial advice and project briefings at any post-contract stage of the project.

• Be fully responsible for the quality, accuracy, and completeness of all project commercial and procurement deliverables.

Requirements

• Diploma in Quantity Surveying or Engineering (Civil / MEP / Interior Design & Build).

• Bachelor's Degree in Quantity Surveying or Engineering (Civil / MEP).

• Minimum of 10–12 years in the related field, with substantial post-contract and procurement experience gained within interior fit-out or Design & Build contractors.

• Proven experience in subcontractor procurement, tendering, and Design & Build environments.

• Strong knowledge of FIDIC contracts, bespoke fit-out subcontract forms, and Methods of Measurement.

• Extensive understanding of fit-out construction technology, materials, and regulatory requirements.