Vertical Recruitment is supporting an established independent property and construction consultancy in Manchester with a senior appointment to establish and develop its Quantity Surveying and Cost Management offering.

The business already has an established presence across Project Management and Building Surveying, working with developers, investors and occupiers on a varied portfolio of projects throughout the UK.

As part of its next stage of development, the consultancy is looking to broaden its services and provide clients with a more comprehensive property and construction consultancy offering.

This has created an opportunity for an experienced Associate Director or Director of Quantity Surveying to join the business, develop its Cost Management capability and take a leading role in building the service.

This isn't a conventional senior QS appointment.

The consultancy already has client relationships, active projects and opportunities where Quantity Surveying services could be introduced. However, the successful individual will also need to bring their own network, commercial awareness and the ambition to develop new business.

For someone who has reached Associate Director or Director level and wants greater autonomy, the opportunity to build a team and a genuine stake in what they are creating, this offers a very different proposition from joining an established QS department.

The Consultancy

The business is an independent, director-led consultancy providing Project Management, Building Surveying and wider property and construction advisory services.

Its work spans a broad range of sectors, clients and project types, from smaller development and regeneration schemes through to major commercial and industrial projects.

The portfolio includes:

• Residential and regeneration: New residential developments, low-rise housing, mixed-use schemes and town centre regeneration.
• Town centre development: Public realm, infrastructure improvements and wider regeneration programmes.
• Commercial: Office developments, commercial refurbishment and workplace fit-out.
• Hotels and hospitality: New-build hotels and hospitality developments.
• Student accommodation: Purpose-built student accommodation and associated development projects.
• Retail: Retail parks, commercial developments and refurbishment programmes.
• Industrial and logistics: Major logistics facilities, distribution developments and industrial schemes.
• Major Manchester developments: High-profile city centre projects and landmark commercial schemes.

This variety provides the opportunity to develop a Cost Management service across several markets rather than being restricted to a single sector.

The consultancy has also identified opportunities within its existing project and client base where a dedicated QS offering would allow it to provide a more complete service.

The foundations are already there. The next step is finding the right individual to develop them.

The Opportunity

The successful candidate will take responsibility for establishing, leading and growing the consultancy's Quantity Surveying and Cost Management function.

Working directly with the Directors, you will have the freedom to shape the offering, develop client relationships, secure new commissions and build a team as the workload grows.

The role combines senior technical delivery with business development, commercial leadership and the opportunity to influence the wider direction of the consultancy.

Initially, you will be closely involved in project delivery and client development, with the longer-term objective of creating an established, profitable and growing Cost Management department.

There is also an Employer's Agent element to the position, providing the opportunity to support clients across procurement, contract administration and wider project delivery responsibilities.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Establishing and developing the consultancy's Quantity Surveying and Cost Management offering.
• Leading pre- and post-contract QS services across a varied portfolio of projects.
• Developing a clear strategy for growing the service and identifying target sectors, clients and opportunities.
• Bringing an established network of client and industry relationships to support new business development.
• Working with the Directors to identify QS opportunities within the consultancy's existing client base.
• Taking ownership of new client relationships, fee proposals, negotiations and work-winning activities.
• Providing senior commercial advice across feasibility, cost planning, procurement, tendering and construction delivery.
• Undertaking Employer's Agent and contract administration responsibilities where appropriate.
• Leading cost management commissions and maintaining high standards of technical delivery.
• Developing relationships with developers, investors, contractors and professional consultant teams.
• Identifying opportunities for cross-referrals between Project Management, Building Surveying and Cost Management.
• Establishing processes, systems and standards for the new service.
• Recruiting, mentoring and developing a Quantity Surveying team as the workload grows.
• Taking responsibility for the commercial performance and long-term development of the function.
• Working closely with the leadership team on the wider growth and strategic direction of the business.

Building the Cost Management Offering

One of the most appealing aspects of this appointment is the opportunity to build something within an established business rather than starting entirely from scratch.

The consultancy already has relationships with clients who require Quantity Surveying services, alongside a varied portfolio of existing and upcoming projects.

The successful individual will be able to build on these existing opportunities while using their own market knowledge and relationships to develop a sustainable pipeline of new commissions.

This will require someone who is comfortable taking a proactive approach to business development, understands the Manchester and wider North West property market and has the confidence to turn relationships into new business opportunities.

There is considerable scope to influence how the service operates, which sectors it targets, the clients it works with and how the team develops over time.

About You

This position could suit an established Associate Director who feels ready to step into a more senior leadership role, or an experienced Director who wants greater ownership and the opportunity to develop a business offering.

You will ideally bring:

• A strong background in consultancy-side Quantity Surveying and Cost Management.
• Experience operating at Associate Director or Director level, or the capability to progress into that position.
• Strong technical knowledge across pre- and post-contract Quantity Surveying.
• Experience leading commissions and providing senior commercial advice to clients.
• Knowledge of Employer's Agent services, procurement and contract administration.
• An established network of clients, developers, consultants and wider industry contacts.
• A proven ability to develop client relationships and secure new business.
• Strong knowledge of the Manchester and North West property and construction market.
• Experience across a range of property and construction sectors.
• The confidence to develop a new service offering and represent the business commercially.
• Experience managing or mentoring Quantity Surveyors, with the ambition to build a team.
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of the financial responsibilities associated with leading a service line.
• Ideally MRICS qualified, with a strong professional and technical background.

Above all, the consultancy is looking for someone with the drive to develop an offering of their own.

You'll need to be comfortable working independently, building relationships, identifying opportunities and taking responsibility for turning the ambition into a successful department.

Autonomy, Leadership & Equity

Unlike joining an established Cost Management team, this position offers the opportunity to influence the direction of the service from the outset.

You'll work directly with the Directors, with genuine involvement in commercial decisions, client development, recruitment and future growth.

As the offering develops, there is scope to build a team around you, take increasing responsibility for the business and establish a long-term leadership position.

Early equity participation is also a potential part of the opportunity, providing the right individual with the chance to benefit from the value they help create.

The structure would be discussed in more detail as part of the recruitment process.

Why Consider It?

• Build your own offering: Establish and lead a Quantity Surveying and Cost Management function within an existing consultancy.
• Existing opportunities: Access an established client base and projects where QS services are already required.
• Commercial freedom: Develop your own client relationships, identify new markets and influence the direction of the service.
• Varied projects: Work across residential, regeneration, commercial, hospitality, student accommodation, retail and major logistics developments.
• Direct access to leadership: Work closely with the Directors and play an active role in wider business decisions.
• Build a team: Recruit and develop a Cost Management department as the workload grows.
• Early equity potential: Opportunity to secure a stake in the business as part of a long-term leadership appointment.
• Long-term progression: A genuine opportunity to develop and lead a significant part of an independent consultancy.

Interested?

This is an opportunity for someone who wants more than another senior position within an established consultancy.

If you're an Associate Director ready to take the next step, or an existing Director who would welcome greater autonomy, commercial influence and the opportunity to build a service offering, we'd be happy to discuss the position in more detail.



For a confidential conversation about the consultancy, existing opportunities and longer-term plans, please contact Freya at Vertical Recruitment.