Principal Quantity Surveyor

Salary: Grade K £47,665 - £50,908 a year (Plus market rate supplement)
Location: Council House
Hours: 37 hours a week
Working hours: Full time
Closing Date: 30/11/2026
Market Rate Supplement: A temporary market rate supplement of £12,335 a year is attached to this post. This is in addition to the basic salary and is subject to regular review which may result in the supplement being reduced or withdrawn. The supplement will also reduce in line with incremental progression and pay awards
Contract Type: Permanent

The Opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Principal Quantity Surveyor to play a key role in delivering a diverse portfolio of construction and property projects that directly support public services and community infrastructure. Working within a collaborative and forward-thinking property and commercial team, the Principal Quantity Surveyor will contribute to the successful financial management and delivery of projects ranging from refurbishments and maintenance works through to major capital developments.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced Principal Quantity Surveyor to work on a varied and meaningful portfolio of projects that support local communities. The position provides exposure to projects across the council’s property portfolio, including refurbishment, maintenance, improvements and new developments.

In the role of Principal Quantity Surveyor , here’s an example of what you’ll be doing to make an impact:
• Lead the financial management of construction and building projects, ensuring they are delivered within agreed budgets and provide value for money.
• Prepare cost estimates, tender documentation and financial reports to support the successful planning and delivery of projects.
• Manage procurement processes and support the selection and appointment of contractors, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and best practice.
• Monitor project costs throughout delivery, including valuations, variations and final accounts, providing clear financial oversight to project teams and clients.
• Work closely with surveyors, designers, project managers and contractors to ensure projects are coordinated and delivered efficiently.
• Provide professional commercial advice to support decision making on construction and property projects.
Contribute to the improvement of commercial processes and support the effective management of the organisation’s property investment and maintenance programmes.

What you’ll be doing
As a Principal Quantity Surveyor, you will work closely with multidisciplinary professionals, supporting the delivery of high-quality, value-for-money projects while helping shape best practice across commercial and asset management activities. This role offers the chance to influence strategic decision-making, develop strong client relationships and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the organisation’s property portfolio.

About you
To be successful in this role, you’ll ideally have...

• A degree in Quantity Surveying or a closely related construction discipline.
• Significant experience working in a Quantity Surveying or commercial management role within construction, property or building projects.
• Proven experience managing project costs, including preparing cost plans, tender documentation, valuations and final accounts.
• Strong knowledge of construction procurement processes and contract management.
• Experience working across a range of building works such as refurbishments, maintenance programmes, improvements or new build projects.
• Ability to monitor and report on project finances, ensuring projects remain within agreed budgets and deliver value for money.
• Ability to provide commercial advice and technical input to multidisciplinary project teams to support successful project delivery.
• Good communication and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and build effective professional relationships.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret financial and technical information to support decision making.
• Confident using IT systems and software such as Microsoft Office and other digital tools to manage project and asset information.

Who We Are
At Derby City Council, we're proud to deliver over 250 essential services that support our residents, communities and businesses. Guided by our vision to create an Inclusive, Green, Growing and Vibrant City, we put people at the heart of everything we do.

Our values shape how we work every day. We believe in Great People, One Team, we're Bold in embracing change, Strong in delivering for our communities, and We Care about making a positive difference.

Join us and you'll be part of an ambitious, collaborative organisation where you can develop your career while helping to shape Derby's future.

Why join Derby City Council?
At Derby City Council, you'll have the opportunity to make a real difference while building a rewarding career in an organisation that values, supports and invests in its people.
Alongside the opportunity to help shape the future of Derby, you'll benefit from a comprehensive range of employee benefits, including:

Financial Benefits
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) – a secure, defined benefit pension with life cover
• Team Derby Rewards – discounts across a wide range of retail, leisure and lifestyle brands
• Tusker Car Benefit Scheme – a salary sacrifice scheme for leasing a brand-new, fully maintained and insured vehicle

Work-Life Balance
• Generous annual leave, starting at 27 days and rising to 32 days after five years' service (plus bank holidays, depending on your contract)
• The option to purchase additional annual leave
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements for many roles
• Flexible retirement options, where eligible
• Support for colleagues with caring responsibilities
Learning and Development
• Learning and development opportunities, with regular career conversations to support your growth
• Leadership and management development programmes, mentoring and professional qualifications
• Modern workspaces designed to support collaboration, productivity and wellbeing

Health and Wellbeing
• Employee Assistance Programme, wellbeing support and a year-round wellbeing calendar
• Free annual flu vaccinations
• Cycle2Work Scheme and free cycle training
Community and Inclusion
• Up to 15 hours of volunteering leave each year
• Recognition through initiatives including the Here for Derby Awards and Long Service Awards
• The opportunity to join one of our Employee Networks, including LGBTQ+, Disabled Employees and Carers, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Employees, and Neurodiversity

At Derby City Council, we believe our people are our greatest strength. Whatever stage you're at in your career, you'll be joining an inclusive organisation where you'll be supported to develop, feel valued and make a meaningful difference to the communities we serve.

Some benefits are dependent on your role, contract or length of service.

How to apply
If you would like to apply for this vacancy via an application form, please submit an application via the Derby City Council website.

The closing date for this vacancy is specified at the top of the advert. Applications received after midnight on the closing date will not be accepted.

Interviews will be held at Derby City Council, Council House, Derby.

Applying using your CV
We recognise that people apply for roles in different ways and want our recruitment process to be as accessible and inclusive as possible. If you would prefer to apply using a CV rather than completing an application form, please complete the attached Declaration Form and send it, together with your CV, to Christian.innes@derby.gov.uk.

When applying by CV, please ensure your CV clearly demonstrates how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the role. We strongly recommend that you also include a supporting statement outlining how you meet the essential criteria set out in the person specification, as this will help us assess your suitability for the post.

Applications submitted by CV must include a completed Declaration Form to be accepted. The Declaration Form can be found at the bottom of this advert.

We also encourage you to complete the attached Equalities Form and return it to recruitment.team@derby.gov.uk. This is entirely optional and will not affect the outcome of your application.

Important Information
Links to the full Job Description and Person Specification are available below.

Before submitting your application, please read our guidance on completing the application form and ensure your supporting statement clearly demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification.

All employees will normally be appointed to the minimum of the grade for the role.

Where a DBS requirement is indicated at the top of this advert, the successful candidate will be subject to the appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as part of our safer recruitment process.

Where a Market Rate Supplement is indicated at the top of this advert, it is paid in addition to the basic salary and is subject to regular review. The supplement may be reduced or withdrawn and will reduce in line with incremental progression and pay awards.

The Council has a legal obligation to consider suitable redeployment opportunities for employees at risk of redundancy. Consequently, this vacancy may be withdrawn before the advertised closing date if it is filled through the Council's redeployment process.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Derby City Council, we're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we serve.

As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role can choose to apply through our Guaranteed Interview Scheme.

We are also proud to hold the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award, recognising our commitment to supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families. Members of the Armed Forces community, veterans and their close family members who meet the essential criteria are also eligible for our Guaranteed Interview Scheme.

If you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, including during your application, interview or onboarding, we'll work with you to provide the support you need.

If you have any questions about this vacancy or need assistance with your application, please contact the Recruitment Team on 01332 640844 (Relay UK: 18001 01332 640844) or email recruitmentteam@derby.gov.uk.

Please see here for Job Description
Please see here for Person Specification
Please see Declaration Form for CV Applications here
Please see Equalities Form for CV Applications here