Graduate Quantity Surveyor

Location

We are looking for candidates who are willing to locate to a variety of locations based in Peterborough and surrounding area, where they can develop and extend their skills and capabilities in this exciting discipline. This would be for September 2026 intake.

Project Overview

The Anglian Water Strategic Pipeline Alliance (SPA) project currently involves the planning, design and construction of circa 320km of new strategic, large diameter, clean water interconnector pipelines and associated infrastructure across Anglian Water's region. The SPA Alliance is also taking on responsibility for the future interconnector pipelines, a further 260km of strategic interconnector pipelines and associated infrastructure.

At Costain, we help to improve people's lives by creating connected, sustainable infrastructure that enables people and the planet to thrive. We work together to shape, create, and deliver pioneering solutions that transform the performance of the UK's infrastructure ecosystem across energy, water, transportation and defence markets. Through our collaboration with customers, partners, communities, and wider industry we will deliver an infrastructure fit for a better future.

Costain's Graduate Development Programme

The programme will focus on helping you to grow your personal and leadership skills, alongside business and of course, the technical skills you will learn day-to-day on the job.

The programme is delivered in a variety of formats throughout the 2 years and will allow you to establish a network of contacts that will help and support you through your first 2 years and beyond. We expect some of our graduates to rotate after a period of 8-12 months, to another project/sector of the business to fully understand the depth and breadth of the services offered by the company.

Our line managers are fully supportive of the Graduate Development Programme and will be involved in helping you along the way.

In addition to the programme, we offer mentoring and support in every area of work, as well as a structured training programme to enable graduates to work towards achieving Chartership. Graduates may have the opportunity to work on a number of exciting and progressive projects around the UK during the 2-year period, in sectors including nuclear, highways, rail, water, airports and tunnels.

Extra information

Please note that for some of our roles, and in order to rotate around the business as part of the graduate scheme, you may be required to obtain and maintain security clearance of at least Security Check level (or SC clearance). To satisfy the requirements, you will need to have been a legal UK resident for a minimum of 5 years and be able to successfully complete the vetting process.

• You will have or expected to achieve a good result in a Quantity Surveyor degree or equivalent (Minimum 2:1 achieved or expected)
• Hold an RICS/CICES accredited degree, or enrolled on an accredited part-time post-graduate degree with at some relevant experience
• Enrolled and working towards Full Membership of either RICS or CICES
• Full UK Driving Licence
• Mobility to work on various projects over the 2-year programme throughout the UK

*Please note that if you are invited to interview, we will require you to produce your passport and/or right to work documentation.

As some of our project sites are based in remote locations, it is worth noting that you will be required to have the ability to travel to site

Assist the Quantity Surveyor in preparing Subcontracts and ensuring they reflect agreed scope. Ensure Subcontracts are properly managed in accordance with contract requirements including compliance with all responses to communications, payments, early warnings, compensation event, programme submissions etc., that all contract files are maintained and kept up to date.

• Work closely with the Quantity Surveyor, Procurement team, Construction Manager and Project Manager to develop and monitor procurement strategy.
• Work closely with the site team, attending site regularly to ensure they are aware of and can manage the allowances and outputs, provide robust challenge to achieve outperformance, communicate change control and escalate when necessary.
• Assist the Quantity Surveyor in producing accurate live forecasting by working with complex workbooks, ensuring alignment with the programme and reporting in accordance with the relevant Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS).
• Actual costs are monitored and assessed against baseline, value or work done, solution cost progress, affordability challenges and final outturn calculations, reporting either weekly or otherwise as agreed with the Quantity Surveyor/ Project Commercial Manager whilst observing Alliance governance.
• Assist the Quantity Surveyor in ensuring all efficiencies are reflected in the reporting tools provided, to the Clients timeline.
• Provide reports on actual costs vs. Estimate and identifying underlying reasons for any variance and resolutions in particular highlight, challenge and resolve variance to latest plans.
• Records of deliveries (GRN's) are undertaken in a timely manner in accordance with both Anglian Water and Partner requirements as necessary.
• Work with the integrated delivery team to assist with project and programme risk mitigation plans are considered, put in place and administered.
• Assist the Quantity Surveyor in ensuring that the Alliance Contract is properly administered including timely issue of early warnings, Contractual notices etc.
• Any other duties as designated by the Quantity Surveyor, Project Commercial Manager, or Commercial Manager.
• Assist the Quantity Surveyor in ensuring that all project team members (including site staff) understand the contractual arrangements, in order to satisfy Client and Partner organisation requirements.
• Working in collaboration with the delivery team to identify, implement and monitor efficiency plans throughout the lifecycle of a project or programme of projects.
• Ensuring that proper records are kept and maintained so financial information for audits and cost assurance is readily available.
• Assist the Quantity Surveyor in producing Financial Accounts.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement in Health & Safety (H&S), ensuring consistent H&S standards are maintained.
• Ensure completion of a full Induction to H&S in accordance with Company policies, procedures, standards &/or guidance.
• Ensure adherence to safe working practices including completing audits in line with schedule.
• Monitor and maintain compliance with the Working Time Directive.
• Ensure you are compliant with the use of mandatory safety monitoring equipment, near miss reporting and compliance with the company procedures.
• Maintain H&S standards to enable a zero-accident culture.
• Actively work with your team, line manager and the H&S Team to improve upon H&S procedures where possible.
• Report all near misses through the appropriate channel to prevent future accidents.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Extensive IT knowledge (particularly MS Excel)
• Excellent communication skills
• Team Player
• Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise
• Positive attitude and ability to integrate into teams
• Have passion for Costain's Carbon Net Zero targets
• IT proficient
• Able to work accurately and appreciate its importance to the team
• A willingness to learn with appropriate instruction
• Excel at building and maintaining positive relationships
• The ability to thrive in pressured situations
• The ability to empathise and communicate with all people, regardless of their background or circumstances
• Excellent organisation, communication, and time management skills