Quantity surveyor

Kimberly is a Cost Manager at Turner and Townsend.

Why did you want to become a Cost Manager?

I have always wanted a career that allows me to make a real positive difference to the world. My current role allows me to do that by improving people’s quality of life in the places that we work, live and have fun in. Being a Cost Manager allows me to use my strengths in mathematics and feed my passion for the social impact of construction.  Furthermore, being able to work on some of the most important projects influencing vital infrastructure linked to making London the best city in the world is what makes Turner & Townsend (T&T) such a great place to work.

Did you need any qualifications or training to get into your role?

After studying Maths, English Literature and Sociology at A-Levels, I completed a five-year Level 6 Chartered Surveyor degree apprenticeship with Transport for London.

This scheme equipped me with in-depth industry experience, Associate membership with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and a RICS-accredited degree with London South Bank University, enabling me to pursue chartered membership with the RICS. These were excellent stepping stones towards securing my current role.There are lots of other routes into quantity surveying too. You can join the profession without A-Levels as a Level 3 apprentice with GCSE's or as a graduate (QS or non-related).

How did you get into your role?

I chose to join Turner & Townsend as I wanted to work for a company that I’m proud of and that believes in high standards, strong ethics, smart approaches and delivering top quality outcomes for clients. T&T is somewhere that you can grow technical excellence alongside talented people in a fast-paced and supportive environment and I wanted to be involved.

So, I applied directly through the T&T website, where I uploaded my CV and cover letter tailored for the role. Within one day I was contacted by a Recruitment Advisor for a telephone interview discussing my aspirations for the role and subsequently had two face-to-face interviews with senior leaders before being made an offer. I found the entire process insightful, exciting and most importantly, respectful.  This was due to T&T’s professionalism and high standards in ensuring candidates are kept informed and feel valued throughout.

What skills do you need in your role?

In a consultancy where people in particular are an asset, being personable, enthusiastic and having great interpersonal skills are as vital as having the technical skills to influence projects from inception to completion. For a Cost Manager, five of these necessary skills include:

• Excellent communication
• Confident working independently
• Works well within a team
• Great attention to detail
• Good with numbers

What are your working hours and is there room for flexibility?

My contractual working hours are 37.5 hours a week and I get 24 days annual leave. T&T promote wellbeing and flexible working dependant on circumstance to suit the individual.

How far do you want to progress and what opportunities are there to do so?

I aspire to become a Chartered Quantity Surveyor as a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) and further my academic studies by undertaking an MSc specialising in Construction Law.

Gaining MRICS status is dependent on route of entry to the RICS (full time degree / part time degree / experienced route). As an indicator, the average UK salary of a MRICS chartered surveyor is quoted as being in the region of £60,000*

A shrewd commercial skillset and great leadership skills are key for progression and there are ample opportunities to develop these at T&T.

Beyond MRICS, T&T offer clear and transparent pathways to becoming a Director, and even a partner in the business.

 *Figure sourced from RICS

What would say to others about getting into construction?

Do you want an amazing, rewarding and challenging career? Job opportunities that allow you to travel around the world? Or, perhaps a career journey that’s exciting, motivating, inspiring and, importantly, achievable?

Getting into construction has been all of this for me and more.

There’s truly something for everyone in construction and the talent doors are wide open - so come on in! It’s the perfect time to find out what all the fuss is about and join an incredible industry.

Don't forget to follow Kimberly's journey on Twitter (@misskimhepburn).