Question Time: Cost Engineer to Commercial Leader: The QS Career Shift Explained (EP 266)

In this Own the Build Question Time episode, Paul is joined once again by Chris Barber, COO and Co-Founder of C-Link, to answer listener questions shaped by recent episodes and the Leadership Series. The conversation focuses on the real challenges QSs face as they progress through their careers — from transitioning into the role, to stepping up into leadership and delivering meaningful value on projects.Paul and Chris cover: how to transition from cost engineer to high-performing QS, shifting from analysis to commercial strategy;  why procurement is where margin is won or lost — and how to think differently about it;  how to move from constant firefighting to leadership, by addressing root causes and carving out time for strategic thinking;  the step change from being a competent QS to an influential one, including time on site, understanding operations, and building relationships; and  what “delivering value” actually looks like day-to-day, from turning data into insight to taking ownership of project outcomes. The episode also touches on wider industry themes, including contract simplification and the importance of collective action to drive meaningful change.The underlying message is clear: the best QSs don’t just report what’s happening — they shape what happens next.A practical, experience-led discussion for QSs at every stage of their career looking to step up, think differently, and lead with impact.---------------------------------📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial SuccessSend us Fan MailWant to connect with Paul?Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.