Chief Estimator – Highways & Infrastructure

Involve Recruitment Ltd.; Exeter; On-site; GBP 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Involve Recruitment Ltd. seeks a Chief Estimator / Estimating Manager for a leading Tier 1 contractor in Exeter. You will lead the highways maintenance estimating function, drive pricing strategy, and ensure robust, deliverable cost estimates that support growth and profitability.

You will manage a large team of estimators, set standards, and provide senior assurance across major bids, frameworks and opportunities, collaborating across operations and commercial groups.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading estimating teams in highways maintenance or related sectors.
• Proven ability to price and win high-value frameworks and contracts.
• Strong knowledge of Local Authority and National Highways procurement environments.
• Experienced with NEC contracts, target cost models and alliance contracting.
• Commercial and strategic mindset balancing competitiveness, risk and margin.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall estimating function with strategic direction and governance.
• Develop and oversee bid pricing strategies for major bids and frameworks.
• Provide senior estimating assurance across tenders from strategy to submission.
• Drive consistency in estimating processes, systems and reporting.
• Oversee risk and opportunity pricing, benchmarking and market analysis.
• Collaborate with Operations, Commercial, Procurement and Design teams.
• Develop estimating capability through coaching and succession planning.
• Maintain relationships with clients, partners and senior stakeholders.
• Provide executive reporting on major bids, pricing strategy and risks.

Skills

Estimating leadership

Bid pricing

Cost planning

NEC contracts

Strategic mindset

Stakeholder management

Team development

Tender submissions

Risk management

Job description

Involve Recruitment Ltd. seeks a Chief Estimator / Estimating Manager for a leading Tier 1 contractor in Exeter. You will lead the highways maintenance estimating function, drive pricing strategy, and ensure robust, deliverable cost estimates that support growth and profitability.

You will manage a large team of estimators, set standards, and provide senior assurance across major bids, frameworks and opportunities, collaborating across operations and commercial groups.