Graduate Quantity Surveyor

Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Civil.

About Us

Costain helps to improve people’s lives with integrated, leading edge, smart infrastructure solutions across the UK’s energy, water, transportation and defence markets. We help our clients improve their business performance by increasing capacity, improving customer service, safeguarding security, enhancing resilience, decarbonising and delivering increased efficiency.

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Our class of 2023 share their experiences and what's next!

Our vision is to be the UK’s leading smart infrastructure solutions company. We will achieve this by focusing on blue chip clients whose major spending plans are underpinned by strategic national needs, regulatory commitments, legislation or essential performance requirements.

About the role

The role of Graduate Quantity Surveyor is to assist in administration and management of costs and contracts relating to projects. The role may involve all aspects of work from the initial tender to final account and close out, seeking to minimise the costs and enhance value for money whilst achieving the required standards and quality. This role will work under the close direction and supervision of a more senior quantity surveyor.

About the project

Costain are working with Thames Water on a variety of water and wastewater projects and have fantastic opportunities for individuals to join our growing AMP8 delivery team, working predominantly across the Thames Valley and Thames South regions. There is a mix of projects ranging from smaller capital maintenance to large civil new build schemes.

Graduate Development Programme

By joining our 2-year Graduate programme, you’ll get the best of both worlds - great technical development and exciting opportunities to grow your personal confidence and leadership skills. You’ll be working alongside your team to deliver standout, best-in-class projects across the infrastructure sector, all while learning and building your career step by step.

The Graduate Development Programme (GDP) is also a fantastic chance to meet and network with other graduates joining us at the same time. You’ll connect with people across different projects and disciplines throughout the UK, creating a supportive community from day one.

Throughout the 2 years, you’ll come together both in person and virtually to take part in engaging modules and activities such as “Growing your Career,” “Costain In Action,” and “Group Coaching.” These sessions are designed to inspire you, challenge you in the best way, and help you get the most out of your programme.

Your line manager will be fully on hand to support your learning, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to talk through how you can put what you’re learning into your everyday work.

We also strongly recommend getting involved with our Graduate and Apprentice network (GRaAPs). It’s a brilliant way to meet other Early Careers members, discover what’s happening across different teams and projects, and explore areas of the business that genuinely interest you - helping you shape your future learning and direction.

And as a graduate, you’ll have the chance to help influence and shape future recruitment programmes and early careers opportunities - making a real difference to what comes next for future intakes.

Key Responsibilities

  • Prepare enquiries, analyse tenders, negotiate, and manage allocated accounts including orders, payments & final accounts, and close outs in accordance with customer or company procedures.
  • Assist in the preparation and agreement of applications for payment or the assessment & preparation of payment certificates.
  • Play a key role in capturing, managing, and communicating change and risk on the project in accordance with the Contract.
  • Assist in the preparation of the Project Control Reporting including project cost & value / EVA reports, budgets, and forecasts.
  • Report to Line Management when contractual notices and correspondence with both customer and sub-contractors are required in accordance with the Contract.
  • Assisting with the reporting of the Project Budget / Cost Report.
  • Undertake record-keeping including but not limited to collating site records, the preparation of meeting packs, meeting invites, and taking meeting minutes.
  • Carry out supply chain performance reviews on allocated packages.
  • Contribute to Value management / value engineering.
  • Understanding the implications of health and safety regulations.
  • Ensure all health, safety and environmental risk situations are brought to the attention of Contract Leader / Project Manager.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Essential

  • Be proactive in self-development and professional qualification.
  • Will have understanding or experience of business systems, spreadsheet development, cost analysis, programme evaluation and development, compensation event and/or variations assessment and evaluation.
  • Increasing knowledge of a variety of forms & options of contracts.
  • Have experience or appreciation of the risk management process for both schedule and cost and the use of Earned Value Management.

Desirable

  • Have experience or appreciation of company policies, procedures & controls, operating office management systems including filing systems and document control and distribution and assist in the drafting of contractual correspondence on behalf of the project and project manager.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Holds an RICS/CICES accredited degree, or enrolled on an accredited part-time postgraduate degree with relevant experience.

Desirable

  • Enrolled and working towards Full Membership of either RICS or CICES.

Costain value that everyone is different and by being different, our people can bring their own valuable contribution to the business. Creating an inclusive culture makes us more able to recruit, retain and progress a diverse workforce, increasing employee engagement and experiencing higher levels of wellbeing.

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Job ID Number: 103535
Can I use AI to apply?

Highlight your own skills and characteristics, how you want to add to Costain's Purpose in Improving Peoples' Lives and showcase who you are and why Costain is the right fit for you. AI can help you in this but our recruitment team will look for authentic and realistic responses to make applications stand out in the selection process.

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Add to Shortlist
Shortlisted
  • Deadline
    November 30th, 2026
  • Salary
    Competitive + benefits
  • Degree required
    Bachelor's
  • Location
    Camberley (Surrey) and London
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Disciplines Accepted...
  • Civil/Infrastructure
  • Construction/Project Management
  • Quantity Surveying
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