Senior Estimation Engineer (CIVIL)

TalentOne; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

TalentOne is seeking a Chief Estimator / Senior Estimator to lead the estimation process for tender projects in Abu Dhabi. You will prepare accurate cost estimates, coordinate with internal departments, and engage subcontractors to support bid preparation through to project execution.

You will manage risk, develop tender summaries, attend client meetings, supervise the estimation team, and push for digitalization and value engineering.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field required.
• 10–15 years of relevant estimation experience with managerial responsibility preferred.
• Proven leadership and ability to coordinate multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the estimation process for assigned tender projects, preparing accurate cost estimates.
• Coordinate with internal departments and engage subcontractors for pre- and post-tender stages.
• Develop tender risk registers with cost implications and mitigation plans.
• Prepare top sheets and tender summaries for management review and submission.
• Attend client/consultant meetings to clarify scope and align expectations.
• Supervise the estimation team and drive digitalization and value engineering initiatives.
• Prepare execution budgets and ensure smooth handover from estimation to operations.

Skills

Estimation leadership

Bid/tender management

Vendor coordination

Cost estimation

Risk management

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field

Tools

CCS estimation software

Job description

The Chief Estimator / Senior Estimator is responsible for leading the estimation process for assigned tender projects. This includes preparing accurate cost estimates, coordinating with internal departments, engaging subcontractors, and ensuring effective performance of the estimation team. This role is critical to the success of projects, from bid preparation through to execution

Key Responsibilities:

• Pricing: Prepare comprehensive cost estimates aligned with the Bill of Quantities (BOQ), project scope, client specifications, and company standards, covering materials, equipment, and manpower.
• Vendor Coordination: Liaise with the Procurement Department to engage approved vendors/suppliers and subcontractors for material and service requirements during both pre- and post-tender stages.
• Indirect Costing: Calculate indirect costs and coordinate with other departments to gather necessary input for complete cost estimation.
• Tender Risk Register & Mitigation: Develop a tender risk register outlining potential risks, their cost impact, and mitigation plans. Present findings for management discussion and approval.
• Top Sheet & Tender Finalization: Prepare the top sheet and tender summary presentations. Review and analyse estimated values in coordination with the Estimation Manager for final submission.
• Client/Consultant Meetings: Attend and contribute to pre- and post-tender meetings with clients and consultants to clarify scope, respond to queries, and align expectations.
• Team Supervision & Guidance: Provide overall supervision of the estimation team’s performance and offer guidance and support where needed to ensure quality output.
• Execution Budget: Prepare execution budgets for awarded projects to facilitate seamless handover from estimation to operations.
• Team Development & Digitalization: Support team development initiatives, and lead efforts toward automation and digitalization within the estimation function.
• Value Engineering: Lead value engineering efforts to propose cost-effective alternatives without compromising design integrity or project requirements.
• Lessons Learned: Analyze project outcomes to extract key learnings and implement improvements in estimation practices.
• Contract Review: Collaborate with the Contracts Department to review tender contract terms and conditions. Highlight major risks, liabilities, and commercial concerns that could impact the project cost or delivery.

Review and update detailed Tender Review Reports and Site Visit Reports prepared by the Senior Quantity Surveyor to ensure accuracy, completeness, and alignment with the overall tender strategy.

Support the management team during the Expression of Interest (EOI) and pre-tender stages by assessing tender invitations, identifying key risk factors, and estimating the required resources (materials, equipment, manpower) to develop reliable cost estimates for bid decisions.

Internal Coordination:

Participate in meetings with Technical, Planning, and Operations teams during the tender stage to optimize construction methodology and achieve cost efficiency.

Success Rate Monitoring:

• Track and evaluate tender success rates to identify trends, performance indicators, and areas for strategic improvement.

The Chief Estimator / Senior Estimator is responsible for leading the estimation process for assigned tender projects. This includes preparing accurate cost estimates, coordinating with internal departments, engaging subcontractors, and ensuring effective performance of the estimation team. This role is critical to the success of projects, from bid preparation through to execution

Key Responsibilities:

• Pricing: Prepare comprehensive cost estimates aligned with the Bill of Quantities (BOQ), project scope, client specifications, and company standards, covering materials, equipment, and manpower.
• Vendor Coordination: Liaise with the Procurement Department to engage approved vendors/suppliers and subcontractors for material and service requirements during both pre- and post-tender stages.
• Indirect Costing: Calculate indirect costs and coordinate with other departments to gather necessary input for complete cost estimation.
• Tender Risk Register & Mitigation: Develop a tender risk register outlining potential risks, their cost impact, and mitigation plans. Present findings for management discussion and approval.
• Top Sheet & Tender Finalization: Prepare the top sheet and tender summary presentations. Review and analyse estimated values in coordination with the Estimation Manager for final submission.
• Client/Consultant Meetings: Attend and contribute to pre- and post-tender meetings with clients and consultants to clarify scope, respond to queries, and align expectations.
• Team Supervision & Guidance: Provide overall supervision of the estimation team’s performance and offer guidance and support where needed to ensure quality output.
• Execution Budget: Prepare execution budgets for awarded projects to facilitate seamless handover from estimation to operations.
• Team Development & Digitalization: Support team development initiatives, and lead efforts toward automation and digitalization within the estimation function.
• Value Engineering: Lead value engineering efforts to propose cost-effective alternatives without compromising design integrity or project requirements.
• Lessons Learned: Analyze project outcomes to extract key learnings and implement improvements in estimation practices.
• Contract Review: Collaborate with the Contracts Department to review tender contract terms and conditions. Highlight major risks, liabilities, and commercial concerns that could impact the project cost or delivery.

Review and update detailed Tender Review Reports and Site Visit Reports prepared by the Senior Quantity Surveyor to ensure accuracy, completeness, and alignment with the overall tender strategy.

Support the management team during the Expression of Interest (EOI) and pre-tender stages by assessing tender invitations, identifying key risk factors, and estimating the required resources (materials, equipment, manpower) to develop reliable cost estimates for bid decisions.

Internal Coordination:

Participate in meetings with Technical, Planning, and Operations teams during the tender stage to optimize construction methodology and achieve cost efficiency.

Success Rate Monitoring:

• Track and evaluate tender success rates to identify trends, performance indicators, and areas for strategic improvement.

Tender Review & Reporting:

Review and update detailed Tender Review Reports and Site Visit Reports prepared by the Senior Quantity Surveyor to ensure accuracy, completeness, and alignment with the overall tender strategy.

EOI Stage Input:

Support the management team during the Expression of Interest (EOI) and pre-tender stages by assessing tender invitations, identifying key risk factors, and estimating the required resources (materials, equipment, manpower) to develop reliable cost estimates for bid decisions.

Internal Coordination:

Participate in meetings with Technical, Planning, and Operations teams during the tender stage to optimize construction methodology and achieve cost efficiency.

Success Rate Monitoring:

• Track and evaluate tender success rates to identify trends, performance indicators, and areas for strategic improvement.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field
• 10–15 years of relevant experience in estimation, with a minimum of 5 years in a managerial capacity
• Strong knowledge of construction materials, methods, and market pricing
• Proficient in estimation software (CCS) and Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent negotiation, leadership, and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple tenders under tight deadlines