Senior Quantity Surveyor

About the role

Leighs Construction is a New Zealand-owned business with more than 30 years of experience delivering quality outcomes for clients, employees, and communities. The company is known for its inclusive culture and a portfolio of notable projects across New Zealand, the wider Pacific, and Antarctica.

This opportunity is for a Senior Quantity Surveyor to join the commercial team in Christchurch. The position sits on one of New Zealand’s most important and technically complex construction projects currently under delivery, within a Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework that brings together construction, engineering, and service organisations to deliver long-term infrastructure for the country.

The role will start out office-based in Christchurch and is expected to move to a site-based position in Templeton during the final quarter of the year. That change will place you directly on site as the project enters a critical delivery stage. You will also be part of the wider national commercial team, providing exposure to Leighs’ broader project portfolio.

The project is a major national facility designed for continuous 24/7 operation, with tightly controlled environments, integrated building systems, and demanding long-term performance standards. It is the kind of assignment that can define a career.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee project records and produce financial reporting such as progress claims, final accounts, and labour analysis, while also managing procurement, cash flow, and contract variations.
• Set up procurement strategies, negotiate with subcontractors and suppliers, administer subcontractor payments, and keep track of contract instructions and associated charges.
• Build and maintain project budgets, ensure contractual compliance, monitor financial performance, and authorise project expenditure invoices.
• Support and lead intermediate and junior quantity surveyors, while demonstrating Leighs’ leadership values and aligning with its competency framework.

Experience and qualifications

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in quantity surveying.
• A recognised, relevant professional qualification in quantity surveying.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others toward shared outcomes and maintain a constructive team environment.
• Strong capability in forecasting costs and income through financial tools to support sound decisions.
• Understanding of core business principles, including market analysis, financial literacy, and risk management, to support business performance.

What’s on offer

• Remuneration aligned to your level of experience and expertise.
• The chance to contribute to a highly significant project with long-term impact for New Zealand.
• Support for genuine work-life balance and an investment in your professional development.

Eligibility and other conditions

Applicants must hold New Zealand residency or a valid New Zealand work visa. All successful employees are required to complete a pre-employment medical assessment, including drug and alcohol screening, and pass a criminal history check with the Ministry of Justice.

The employer is running a full recruitment process for this vacancy and will not accept candidates submitted by agencies at this stage.