Graduate Quantity Surveyor

Salary: at least £32,250 per annum with an annual pay review & £2000 joining bonus

Location: Lingley Mere, Warrington

Hours: 37 hours per week

Every day, we deliver one of life's most essential services to millions of people across the North West. From providing safe, high-quality drinking water to protecting the environment and supporting thriving communities, the work we do matters. We're now in the second year of our £16.5 billion investment programme, one of the largest transformation programmes in our history. It's an exciting time to join us as we improve our services, enhance environmental performance, embrace innovation and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

There's more to us than just great water. We are where purpose flows.

What you can expect being a graduate

In this three year graduate quantity surveyor scheme, you will be supported in working towards Chartered Membership of a relevant institution (e.g. Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors or equivalent). You will be working in a team and business area that is crucial in the successful delivery of United Utilities’ business needs by providing a professional quantity surveying service. As you grow in experience and expertise across both pre and post-contract roles, you will take on more responsibility and play a key role in the commercial support throughout project lifecycles.

Develop a working knowledge of various forms of construction contract (particularly the NEC suite of contracts), becoming a contract subject matter expert.

Grow in understanding of how to commercially manage construction contracts to ensure that they are delivered in accordance with the contracted terms and conditions and that all issues are mitigated and managed to protect UU commercial interests.

Supporting the negotiation and resolution of contract claims/disputes and supporting senior managers in the resolution of any escalated issues.

Supporting the management of pre or post-contract commercial processes and procedures to deliver key commercial requirements on projects. These will include Procurement, Tendering, Contract Formulation, Early Warning and Change Management; Cost Forecasting; Payments; Cost Auditing and agreement of Final Accounts.

Supporting the production and maintenance of quality commercial / contractual data, providing the commercial function in IAP and concept phases

Working collaboratively across the commercial directorate and providing commercial expertise and guidance, learning how to communicate and influence contractors, suppliers as well as a wider variety of teams across the company internally.

Attend progress meetings and site visits providing commercial support to the project team.

Candidates require a minimum 2:1 accredited Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying or Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management.

You’ll need to have:

Knowledge and some experience in the use of a broad range of standard forms of construction contract (preferably including NEC suite of contracts)

Knowledge of key quantity surveying processes, tools and methodologies used across the whole project life-cycle.

Ability to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders.

Ability to work as part of a team and ability to manage time and workload to get things done.

Be able to be comfortable working flexibly across a range of tasks and activities to deadlines as well as being able to prioritise your time.

Have excellent computer skills particularly in Microsoft Office and Microsoft Excel.

A full UK Driving Licence by the time the scheme commences

By joining us on our 3-year graduate scheme, you'll not only get first-class training and support, but we'll also provide you with an in-depth understanding of your business area, ultimately giving you the confidence, skills and knowledge required to become one of our future operational, technical or people leaders, driving meaningful change.

We know that delivering a great service starts with supporting you, our people. That's why we offer a range of benefits designed to help you thrive both at work and outside of it.

Starting salary of at least £32,250 + £2,000 welcome bonus

Annual pay increase and bonus (subject to performance)

26 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after 4 years + bank holidays

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave policies

Up to 14% employer pension contribution

Access to colleague wellbeing programmes and dedicated mentors who will support you whilst on scheme

We’ll contribute up to £500 towards driving lessons and tests to help to get you on the road

Want to learn more about life at United Utilities and explore our full benefits package? Take a look at our Flexa profile here: United Utilities | Verified Employers | Flexa Careers

We're committed to creating a workplace where you feel you can belong and can succeed. Our colleague networks play an important role in this, these are;

GeneQ – supporting gender equality, parents and carers

Multi-Cultural & Faith

LGBTQ+

Armed Forces

Ability – supporting colleagues with disabilities and long-term health conditions

We recommend that you are open and honest with us throughout the process and make us aware of any reasonable adjustments you may require.

To ensure a fair recruitment process, we ask that you apply for only one Graduate role per recruitment year. Take a look at all our opportunities and apply for the one that interests you most.

Our recruitment process requires you to complete:

An Online application form

Online tests

An in-person interview and presentation

Please note that you must be available to attend an in-person recruitment stage during the period 17th November – 11th December

Application deadline: 21 st October 2026 – please apply early as deadlines are subject to change

Based on current immigration guidelines this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship .