Why Southwark?

Southwark is a large, ambitious and progressive council with a ‘can do’ attitude and enviable reputation. As a council, we are successful, passionate and forward-thinking. Southwark has a varied mix of cultural communities, where over 120 languages are spoken in the borough. We have all the challenges you'd find in any inner city area.

We are seeking an experienced Quantity Surveyor to provide commercial leadership across a large and fast-paced Repairs & Maintenance portfolio, covering around 3,000 monthly repairs and a mix of measured-term contracts. This is a key role within our Engineering and Compliance Team, ensuring robust financial control, value for money, and commercial transparency across a wide range of building fabric and domestic services works.

You will be supporting contracts that include:

• Communal Repairs, Housing Aids and Adaptions
• Responsive repairs across plumbing, domestic electrics, carpentry and general builders’ works
• Maintenance and minor refurbishment of communal areas
• Below- and above-ground drainage repairs
• Disrepair case management
• Voids requiring system replacements and refurbishments
• 24/7 emergency response works
• SHU & TRA properties

What You'll Be Doing

You will act as the commercial lead for Repairs & Maintenance contracts, responsible for:

• Reviewing contract documentation and preparing annual and in-year forecast budgets
• Ensuring valuations are auditable, accurate and aligned with contract conditions
• Managing monthly contractor valuations, including verification of provisional sums, quotations, partnering rates and technical compliance
• Providing budget oversight for Engineering, Compliance and Major Works teams
• Reviewing quotations for value for money and contractual compliance
• Managing risk cost monitoring and reporting
• Reconciling historic accounts and ensuring timely payments
• Issuing certificates, pay less notices and maintaining auditable commercial records

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who brings:

• Strong commercial governance experience within repairs, maintenance or housing services
• Ability to manage multiple live contracts in a high-volume environment
• Excellent analytical and negotiation skills
• Confidence overseeing financial controls and ensuring fair, timely contractor payments
• A collaborative, solutions-focused approach when working with engineers, compliance officers and delivery teams

Additional Information

Recruitment Timetable

Closing Date: 20 July 2026

Shortlisting Date: 24 July 2026

Interview Date: 31 July 2026

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities.?Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care.
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.

Benefits

Working for Southwark Council – Southwark

Attachments

• Click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification