Graduate Quantity Surveyor - Highlands

Role: Graduate Quantity Surveyor - Highlands (Scotland) 

Start date: September 2027 

Additional information: 

• Site and office-based role  

• Based in Highlands/Alness to Wick and Glasgow for the duration of 2-year programme 

As an international business we also have opportunities available in Ireland. 

About Us  

Murphy is a leading international, multi-disciplined engineering and construction company founded in 1951 that improves life by delivering world-class infrastructure. Operating in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand Murphy provides better engineered solutions to infrastructure sectors including transportation, water, energy and natural resources. We also have a number of related businesses – Ground Engineering; Utility Connections; Plant; Process Engineering; Pipeline Testing Services; Specialist Welding Services and Electrical Services. Murphy employs more than 4,700 engineers, professional managers and skilled operatives around the world. Together, we work as ‘One Murphy’ by directly delivering the people, plant and expertise needed to make projects a success.

Project 
The Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) upgrade framework includes a programme of overhead lines, underground cables and substations in order to redevelop the transmission network in the north of Scotland between now and 2030. 

The allocation of work for Murphy includes the design and construction of two new 400kv substations in Spittal and Loch Buidhe and the delivery of 85km of Overhead Line (OHL). Additionally, the conceptual design phase of our design contract was pivotal in supporting SSEN’s Planning Consent submission to the Scottish Government. 

Our contributions in this framework are integral to SSEN’s broader Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) Pathway to 2030 programme, which aims to bolster green energy production, enhance our national network resilience, and upgrade the transmission infrastructure by the end of the decade. 

Graduate Programme  
Murphy are hiring Graduate Quantity Surveyors to work closely with our commercial managers. This is an exciting opportunity for graduates to join an established Contractor. Finish university and start your career for real, as you join the two-year Murphy Graduate programme. Plunge yourself into our world, keep your eyes open for every opportunity, and in just two years, you’ll find yourself well on your way to achieving a professional qualification with support from your dedicated Mentor. We are committed to the development of our quantity surveyors and our graduate programme is closely aligned with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. You’ll also receive technical and soft skills training throughout the 2-years, through a structured training programme. We want you to experience as much as possible when you join Murphy, and there are a whole host of skills and competencies, we want you to gain as part it. Therefore, we are excited to offer the opportunity to rotate to different sectors or projects whilst on programme, enabling you to maximise your learning and exposure to your field of study.  

As a Graduate QS your role is to support the business and particularly the Commercial Team through the provision of high-quality Commercial support on projects.  

At the same time, you will be required to complete the Murphy Graduate Training Programme along with the opportunity to expand your knowledge and experience as you rotate through different sectors of the business to enable you to work toward achieving a RICS accredited degree qualification/RICS Chartered Status. 

Duties  

• Preparation and management of subcontract and material procurement schedules and draft subcontracts. 

• Assist in preparing cash flow forecasts & improvement plans for all projects. 

• Identify key project risks and opportunities; complete and update the project risk and opportunity register.  

• Preparation of internal commercial and other reports as required.  

• Use of cost allocation/coding which satisfies both internal and external requirements.  

• Preparation and maintenance of a robust cost to complete/ bottom-up forecast.  

• Preparation of Cost Reports to the Client with contractually compliant supporting documentation.  

• Preparation of material for Year End Audit.  

• Undertake contract administration, and administration of subcontractor/supplier accounts. 

• Utilises knowledge and understanding of construction technology to achieve our sustainability, inclusive environments, and  life cycle costing aims  on a project.  

• Preparation of Valuations/Applications for Payment with full supporting documentation in accordance with the contract.  

• Preparation and negotiation of pricing complex change including programme impact.  

• Measurement of quantities in accordance with Standard Methods of Measurement. 

• Draft and agree simple final accounts with Clients and Subcontractors.  

• Utilises knowledge of various types of conflict avoidance and dispute resolution processes to successfully resolve simple disputes.  

• Encourage good client & stakeholder relationships by ensuring they understand the project brief.  

• Promotes Murphy delivery model and can promote the impacts and benefits to the client.  

• Adept at using negotiating, influencing and persuading skills to achieve a beneficial outcome for the business.  

• Support the various Murphy policies relating to Sustainability, Social Responsibility, and the Environment. 

• Ensure compliance with the Company policies, procedures and corporate governance requirements.  

What do we look for?  

• Time management and organisation skills 

• Personal ownership your development 

• Computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel  

   
Above all, we need people who will adopt our values and strive to live them:  

• One Family, One Team, One Murphy   

• Always Deliver   

• Respect, Integrity & Accountability    

• Never Harm   

• Continually Improve   

   
Location   
The position is based in North Scotland (Inverness) with work predominantly across the Highlands/Alness to Wick for the duration of the 2-year programme. 
   
How will I learn?  
In short, by grabbing every chance you get.  Alongside working on some fascinating, challenging and occasionally jaw-dropping projects, you’ll also be part of our Murphy Learning programme, where everyone has ownership of their own training. You decide what skills you want to gain, with support and guidance from your manager. We call it the 70:20:10 principle, and it goes like this:  
•    70% learning on the job, challenging yourself with new projects and responsibilities  
•    20% learning through others, training and networking with senior managers, colleagues, and industry leaders  
•    10% structured learning, choosing training courses that fit your needs and your team’s aims  
    
Additional Requirements  

• You will need a full UK driving licence due to the location of the project.  

• Though you do not need a Quantity Surveying (or related subject) degree, you will need to demonstrate a good understanding and interest in the role of a Quantity Surveyor. 

• To provide you with the best development opportunities we may ask you to work away from your home location within the UK during your 2-year programme. 

• Eligible to work in the UK with a valid work permit if applicable.  Please note, we do not provide sponsorship. 

Our recruitment process consists of three stages: 

1.    Application including a CV 
2.    Online interactive exercise 
3.    In-person assessment centre (which start from November 2026)  

It’s important to us that everybody has an equal chance to succeed, therefore if you'd like to discuss any reasonable adjustments for any part of the recruitment process, please feel free to get in touch at emergingtalent@murphygroup.co.uk 

 
Please note: Should we receive a high volume of suitable applications we may choose to close our opportunities early. Therefore, to avoid missing out, we do recommend you submit your application asap.   

Murphy is unable to employ anyone who does not have the legal right to live and work in the UK.