Principal Quantity Surveyor 

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water: 

• We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience (£65,000 - £80,000)
• A company car lease/allowance scheme (£500 per month/£6,000 per year, based on full-time employment on joining the company).  You can opt to sign up to the EV Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme 6 months after joining the company.  
• Annual incentive related bonus (up to 10% of annual salary, increasing to 15% in the 26 to 27 performance year).
• Private health care (self only)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution) 
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary 
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – plus 2 extra wellness days! 
• A great benefits package – choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.  
• Retail savings scheme  
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more! 

Location: This role will initially be based in Bradford but we’re moving our office to Leeds Valley Park in summer 2026, so you’ll be based there in the future - Hybrid Working (2 days in the office a week – Bradford/Leeds) Other days will consist of a mix of site visits, working in consultant and contractor offices, and working from home.

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday. 

We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Quantity Surveyor to join the Capital Project team at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers. Could this be you?

What we do:

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this. We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity. 

New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. The Capital Project team are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators. Join a high-impact role where you’ll shape the commercial success of major infrastructure projects from day one. As a key commercial leader, you’ll influence strategy, drive value, and work at the heart of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team delivering critical capital programmes. This is an opportunity to take ownership of complex projects, build strong stakeholder relationships, and make a tangible difference in a regulated environment while continuing to grow your expertise and professional profile.

Where you fit in:

As our Principal Quantity Surveyor, you will:

• Be the trusted commercial partner to the Senior Project Manager and project team, influencing decisions from concept through to completion.
• Shape and drive commercial strategy, ensuring projects are set up for success from day one.
• Provide expert advice on contract strategy, procurement routes, risk allocation, and cost management, aligned with best practice and regulatory requirements.
• Take the lead in building strong, productive relationships with delivery partners and consultants.
• Own and drive project budgets, forecasts, and cost plans across every stage of the project lifecycle.
• Champion robust cost control and change management, always ensuring financial discipline.
• Deliver maximum value for money through smart cost challenge, innovative thinking, and strategic decision-making—without compromising on safety, quality, or performance.
• Lead the commercial management of key contracts (NEC, IChemE, or similar), including early warnings, compensation events, and final accounts.
• Proactively identify and manage risks and opportunities, ensuring projects stay on track commercially.
• Play a key role in resolving commercial issues and supporting dispute avoidance.
• Ensure full compliance with commercial policies, governance frameworks, and regulatory expectations.
• Produce and present high-quality commercial reports and forecasts to senior stakeholders and governance forums.
• Support audits and provide assurance, helping maintain transparency and accountability across the programme.
• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, collaborating with PMO, engineering, planning, procurement, and delivery partners.
  Mentor and support junior commercial colleagues, helping to build capability across the team.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by enhancing commercial processes, tools, and ways of working.

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• A significant experience operating in a Senior or Principal Quantity Surveyor role, ideally within large-scale infrastructure or regulated utilities environments. 
• A strong understanding of capital delivery frameworks within the UK water sector or similarly regulated industries. 
• In-depth knowledge of contract forms (NEC preferred) and commercial management best practice. 
• Proven ability to manage complex project budgets, change control processes, and commercial risk effectively. 
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence to influence and engage at senior levels. 
• Experience working within AMP-based capital programmes would be advantageous. 
• A relevant professional qualification (e.g. MRICS or equivalent) is desirable. 
• Experience of collaborative delivery models and alliance-style contracting is beneficial. 
• A commercially astute mindset, with a strong focus on delivering value and positive outcomes. 
• A collaborative, proactive, and solutions-focused approach to work. 
• Demonstrates high standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability.

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn’t always easy! Do we sound like your cup of tea?   

If you’ve got experience in operating in a Senior or Principal Quantity Surveyor role, ideally within large-scale infrastructure or regulated utilities environments and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.   

The closing date for this role is the 1st of July 2026.

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

No agencies please.