About the role:

Gentoo is a values-led, charitable organisation that provides more than 60,000 people in Sunderland with a place they can call home. We have a clear vision and a social purpose. We believe that everyone has the right to live in a good quality home that they can afford.
We currently have a rare opportunity for an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor to join Gentoo’s Asset Property Investment team. It is a great time to join us as we continue with our ambitious and exciting 5-year investment plan, delivering over £ 200m worth of planned improvements to our customer's homes.

The Asset Management delivery team are based from our Doxford Park, Sunderland head office. Led by the Contracts Manager the team includes a Senior Quantity Surveyor, Quantity Surveyor, Assistant Quantity Surveyor, Asset Delivery Co-ordinator, Project Managers, Project Surveyors and Client customer liaison officers. This role will report to our Senior Quantity Surveyor.

In the role of Quantity Surveyor, you will play a leading role and be responsible for the financial management, coordination and reporting of a number of the Group’s planned investment schemes annually. Ensuring the Group delivers the investment plan (circa £ 42m pa) and achieves value for money while meeting KPIs. You will be responsible for the management of all commercial matters in connection with the delivery of Gentoo Group's planned investment programme and will lead on the effective commercial and financial management of Gentoo’s planned, compliance and sustainability related investment programmes, to which you are allocated. This will include the provision of accurate and timely pre-contract documentation with the Asset Planning and Strategy team, tender valuations, accurate budget forecasting, post-quantity surveying duties, managing the purchase order process and ensuring the payment of contractors on time. This will include implementing and administering the most appropriate forms of contract for project values and work types to offer Gentoo the most advantageous contract term.

The role is subject to a basic DBS paid for by Gentoo.
Key responsibilities will include the following, a full job description is available to view at www.gentoogroup.com/careers

You will take a lead role with all aspects of pre and post contract quantity surveying services on Planned Investment, repairs, cyclical and sustainability contracts from conception to final account.
You will ensure the financial management of Contractors to deliver schemes to the required time, cost, and quality standards, whilst ensuring commercial compliance and value for money
You will carry out general contract administration concerning suppliers’ payments whilst ensuring compliance with all financial procedures and guidelines.
You will ensure the Asset Delivery Commercial Procedure is diligently followed, with any exceptions escalated to the Senior Quantity Surveyor, Contracts Manager and written approval confirmed by Director of Asset and Sustainability.
You will be responsible for all quantity surveying services of pre contract cost planning and cost checking from project inception to completion
You will monitor the performance of contracts and contractors against tenders and budgets and provide associated cost information, challenging variations, and cost increases.

What we are looking for:

A recognised degree level qualification in Quantity Surveying or considerable demonstrable and relevant experience
MRICS – Chartered Quantity Surveyor desirable
A Full UK Driving Licence
Experience of operating at a similar level/role within a diverse organisation
Demonstrable knowledge of building construction, building standards, compliance obligations, planning regulations, regulatory standards, and leasehold legislation
Demonstrable commercial experience in the planning and delivery social housing planned investment, compliance, and sustainability programmes.
Detailed knowledge of construction contracts and their effective selection for appropriate work types to protect Gentoo from financial risk and ensure, the administration of formal Forms of Contract
Commercial understanding of value for money drivers in construction and successful implementation
Understanding of Landlord Compliance and servicing contracts and contract administration requirements
Demonstrable knowledge of the current revision of the CDM regulations and the awareness of the Building Safety Act and what they can mean in Commercial terms to contract costs.
Demonstrable knowledge of financial negotiation with Principal Contractors to achieve value engineering and value for money across all areas of construction disciplines whilst maintaining required standards.
Skilled in variation control and negotiation with contractors to limit the impact of contract costs.
Demonstrable knowledge of valuation reporting in line with the Gentoo accounting calendar
Experience of managing relationships with customers, internal and external stakeholders to drive efficiencies and financial performance.
Experience of managing and controlling large budgets relating to investment, compliance and Sustainability works.
Experience of managing principal contractors’ financial performance on all projects and demonstrating excellent negotiation and challenge skills to resolve any issues.
Experience of budget management of multiple projects of significant value, simultaneously.
Previous experience of managing the finances of a high value investment portfolio with the skills to monitor, control and take appropriate action to ensure outturn costs and unit rates are exceeded.
Experience in the financial management of multiple schemes ensuring efficiencies are maximised.
Experience in the preparation and settlement of interim valuations and final accounts including appropriate negotiation with principal contractors’ commercial teams.
Experience in creating and maintaining a commercial culture with excellent customer service delivery to ensure all contracts are delivered with value for money.
Experience in the evaluation of contract delivery and monitoring unit costs including variation controls.
Fully experienced in the management of the planning process to minimise time and costs and drive improvements in efficiency.
Experience in the financial negotiation with various Principal Contractors, to ensure a cost-effective service.


It is essential that you are experienced in all aspects of Commercial contract management from a client perspective and will be at ease managing Principal Contractors, chairing meetings, leading projects from a financial perspective, reporting on performance, making decisions and effective challenges. You will be empowered in your role and will be expected to take total ownership and accountability of your team and projects.
Demonstrable experience using the suite of JCT Contracts for most generic component replacement planned investment schemes and other forms of contract including NEC3, NEC4 and the TAC/FAC-1 forms of Contract to offer Gentoo the most advantageous contract terms.
You will work collaboratively across the Property team.
You will be able to demonstrate proven experience in the commercial management of multiple projects from a client perspect

Closing date:

21-Jul-2024

We're a housing association that provides more than 60,000 people in Sunderland with a place they can call home. We're a values-driven organisation, with a clear vision, a social purpose and a commitment to investing in people, place and property. We believe everyone has the right to live in a good quality home they can afford and invest millions of pounds every year in keeping our existing homes safe, secure, and compliant.

We're also playing our part in addressing the UK housing crisis locally, by building hundreds of new, modern and contemporary homes for rent in Sunderland - homes that meet the needs of local people. Not only do we provide vital housing - we support our tenants, residents and communities by investing in services that help people live their best possible life.

This includes helping people to work, victims of domestic abuse and anti-social behaviour, young people to live independently, as well as a wellbeing service that supports our elderly tenants and residents.