Senior Estimator

Fawkes & Reece Group; Brighton; On-site; AUD 144,000 - 192,000; Full time

Job summary

Fawkes & Reece is seeking a Senior Estimator based in Brighton and Hove to lead tendering for civil engineering, groundworks and residential projects. You will price multi-project scopes, review drawings and specs, and coordinate with purchasing and management to deliver accurate, competitive estimates.

You will identify risks, cost-saving opportunities and value engineering options while supporting tender reviews with senior management. A proactive, independent approach is essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Senior Estimator within civil engineering or groundworks.
• Background with regional or specialist contractors, pricing varied schemes.
• Strong technical understanding of civil methods, materials and costs.
• Able to interpret drawings, specs and tender docs.
• Good commercial awareness to spot risks and opportunities in tenders.
• Strong numerical, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Confident in negotiation and stakeholder relationships across supply chain.
• Proficient in Excel and relevant estimating software.
• Organised, proactive and able to manage tenders independently with weekly office attendance.

Responsibilities

• Manage tenders from enquiry through submission.
• Prepare accurate, competitive estimates for civil, groundworks and residential projects.
• Review drawings, specifications and tender docs; price labour, plant, materials, subcontractors.
• Obtain competitive quotations with purchasing/management teams.
• Identify risks, cost-saving opportunities and value engineering options.
• Contribute to tender reviews with senior management.
• Collaborate with clients, consultants and subcontractors and develop relationships.
• Identify new tender opportunities and expand existing client base.

Skills

Senior Estimator

Tendering

Drawings review

Negotiation

Excel

Estimating software

Tools

MS Excel

Estimating software

Job description

Reference: AB01BH_1793717622
Posted: November 3, 2026

Fawkes & Reece are working with an established civil engineering and groundworks contractor who are seeking an experienced Senior Estimator to join their team based in Brighton and Hove, East Sussex.

The business delivers a diverse range of projects across the commercial, residential and infrastructure sectors, including airport facilities, stadium developments, water treatment plants, residential developments and commercial groundworks.

With an established client base, long-term contracts and a strong pipeline of upcoming work, this is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Estimator to take ownership of the tendering process and play a key role in securing new projects.

The successful candidate will ideally come from a regional civil engineering or groundworks contractor, with hands‑on experience pricing a variety of smaller to medium-sized schemes, rather than exclusively working on major infrastructure projects.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing tenders from initial enquiry through to final submission, preparing accurate and competitive estimates for civil engineering, groundworks, commercial and residential projects. This will involve reviewing drawings, specifications and tender documentation, assessing labour, plant, material and subcontractor costs, and obtaining competitive quotations in collaboration with the purchasing and management teams. They will also identify project risks, cost‑saving opportunities and value engineering solutions, while contributing to tender reviews and adjudications alongside senior management. The role will require close collaboration with internal teams, clients, consultants and subcontractors, as well as supporting the development of existing client relationships and identifying new tender opportunities.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Senior Estimator within a civil engineering or groundworks contractor.
• Ideally a background working for a regional or specialist contractor, pricing multiple projects across a variety of sectors.
• Strong technical understanding of civil engineering construction methods, materials and associated costs.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications and tender documentation.
• Good commercial awareness, with the ability to identify risks and opportunities within tenders.
• Strong numerical, analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Confident communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build relationships across the supply chain.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and relevant estimating software.
• A proactive, organised and self‑motivated approach, with the ability to manage tenders independently.
• Willingness to work from the Brighton and Hove office five days per week.

The role offers a competitive salary of £75,000 - £100,000 per annum, depending on experience, plus an additional benefits package. This is an excellent opportunity to join an established contractor with a strong pipeline of secured and upcoming work across the commercial, residential and civil engineering sectors. The successful candidate will work closely with an experienced management team, taking ownership of tenders and playing a key role in the continued growth of the business.