Key Career Opportunities in 2026

With over 25 years of experience in UK and international construction recruitment, Maxim Recruitment is well placed to identify where demand is growing, and where construction professionals can successfully transfer their skills into new, rewarding career paths.

As we move into 2026, several sectors stand out for both volume of opportunity and long-term career potential. Below, we highlight four of the strongest areas currently shaping the construction jobs market in the UK and internationally.

Construction Claims & Disputes – UK and International

The construction disputes market is entering another strong growth phase. Since late 2025, new specialist consultancies have launched, senior experts have moved firms, and demand for experienced quantum, delay, and technical specialists has increased significantly.

Maxim continues to recruit for:

• Large international consultancies

• Mid-sized specialist practices

• Boutique expert firms with global ambitions

Professionals from quantity surveying, planning, engineering, or project management backgrounds can often transition into claims and disputes, gaining improved work-life balance, international mobility, and long-term earning potential.

View all Claims & Disputes roles
Featured roles include Delay Associate Director and Delay Director positions in London

Quantity Surveying & Cost Consultancy Jobs in Canada

After a quieter 2025, the Canadian construction market is showing clear signs of recovery and expansion. Demand is rising for Quantity Surveyors, Cost Managers, Loan Monitoring professionals, and M&E specialists, with opportunities for both Canadian-based and international candidates.

Current opportunities include:

• Senior Director-level cost management roles in Toronto

• Junior and early-career QS / Project Monitoring positions

• M&E Cost Manager roles in Toronto and Vancouver (with visa support available)

While salaries are comparable to the UK, Canada offers an attractive lifestyle, excellent work-life balance, and strong long-term career prospects — particularly for those open to relocation.

View all Canada construction jobs

Clerk of Works & Quality Technical Inspector Jobs – UK

Demand for Clerk of Works and Quality Technical Inspectors is expected to rise significantly throughout 2026, particularly across London, the South East, and major UK cities.

These roles are well suited to professionals with backgrounds as:

• Site Managers

• Construction Managers

• Project Managers

Most opportunities remain within building and housing, though opportunities in other sectors do arise. For many, this represents an excellent career progression or alternative direction later in their construction career.

Current roles include Quality Technical Inspector and Clerk of Works Surrey.
Read our Clerk of Works FAQ guide

QS, PQS, Commercial Management & Estimating – UK & International

The UK and international markets continue to face a skills shortage in:

• Quantity Surveying

• Cost Management

• Commercial Management

• Estimating

As a result, strong candidates are seeing accelerated career progression, access to speculative roles, and opportunities to move sectors or locations.

Current highlights include:

• Associate Quantity Surveyor roles in Birmingham

• Commercial Manager positions in specialist infrastructure sectors

• Infrastructure-focused Estimating roles in the UK and Canada

At Maxim, we take a consultative approach. Exploratory conversations about salary levels, market conditions, or future career options are always welcome, without pressure to move roles.

View our latest UK Quantity Surveyor Salary & Market Report (2025–2026)

Conclusion

While these four areas represent some of the busiest parts of the construction jobs market in early 2026, Maxim Recruitment’s role goes beyond filling vacancies. Our focus is on helping construction professionals optimise their careers, whether that involves moving sectors, relocating internationally, or transitioning into specialist roles.

If you would like confidential advice on your career options in 2026 and beyond, please get in touch.

Steve Thomas
Construction Recruitment Director, UK & Canada
Maxim Recruitment
LinkedIn

Steve is responsible for Maxim Recruitment in the UK and Canada. He is based in the Maxim head office in Leicester, UK and the Toronto office in Canada. He regularly travels to meet employers and job seekers and attend construction industry networking events in the UK, Canada and worldwide. Steve has over 25 years of experience in construction and property recruitment and enjoys working with many repeat clients. He manages dedicated search and headhunting assignments for a range of premium UK, Canadian and international clients.