Estimating Manager

Involve Recruitment Ltd.; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Involve Recruitment Ltd. is seeking an experienced Pre-Construction / Estimating Manager to lead its estimating, tendering and pre-construction activities. This pivotal role shapes tender strategy and strengthens pre-construction capability within a respected regional contracting business.

You will report to the Managing Director, assess opportunities, develop competitive tenders and guide the estimating team to deliver high-quality bids on time, aligning with client and contractual requirements.

Qualifications

• Substantial estimating and pre-construction experience within a main contracting environment.
• Proven track record of leading complex, medium to large-scale tenders.
• Ability to develop robust tenders with clear commercial strategy and risk assessment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation, pricing, coordination and timely submission of competitive tenders.
• Assess opportunities and advise on tender strategy, commercial risk and work-winning potential.
• Develop detailed estimates, cost plans, pricing schedules and resource allowances.
• Coordinate subcontractor, supplier and consultant enquiries, reviewing quotations and identifying value-engineering opportunities.
• Collaborate with design, commercial, operational and SHEQ teams to ensure tenders reflect buildability, programme, procurement and compliance requirements.
• Attend client meetings and tender interviews, building strong stakeholder relationships.
• Maintain cost data, market intelligence, tender records and management reports.
• Manage tender workloads, deadlines, approvals and handovers to operational teams.
• Mentor and develop Estimators and Trainee Estimators.

Skills

Estimating skills

Commercial awareness

Contractual knowledge

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Excel

Education

Construction qualifications

Tools

Conquest estimating software

Asta Powerproject

Job description

A leading and well-regarded regional contractor is seeking an experienced Pre-Construction / Estimating Manager to lead its estimating, tendering and pre-construction activities. This is an opportunity to join a respected regional contractor in a key leadership position, helping shape tender strategy, strengthen pre-construction capability, and contribute directly to the business's ongoing success.

0.Reporting to the Managing Director, you will play a key role in assessing opportunities, developing competitive and commercially robust tenders, managing risk and supporting the company's continued growth. You will also lead and develop the estimating team, ensuring tenders are delivered to the highest standards, within deadlines and in line with client and contractual requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation, pricing, coordination and timely submission of competitive, compliant tenders.
• Assess new opportunities and advise the Managing Director on tender strategy, commercial risk and work-winning potential.
• Develop detailed estimates, cost plans, pricing schedules and resource allowances.
• Coordinate subcontractor, supplier and consultant enquiries, reviewing quotations and identifying value-engineering opportunities.
• Work closely with design, commercial, operational and SHEQ teams to ensure tenders reflect buildability, programme, procurement and compliance requirements.
• Attend client meetings, tender interviews and occasional site visits, building strong stakeholder relationships.
• Maintain cost data, market intelligence, tender records and management reports.
• Manage tender workloads, deadlines, approvals and structured handovers to operational teams.
• Mentor and develop Estimators, Trainee Estimators and wider pre-construction personnel.

About You

You will have substantial estimating and pre-construction experience within a main contracting environment, with a proven track record of leading complex, medium to large-scale tenders.

Key Attributes

• Strong commercial, contractual and analytical estimating skills.
• A sound understanding of construction methodology, procurement, programming, resource planning and risk management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation and stakeholder-management skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality tenders to demanding deadlines.
• Strong Microsoft 365 skills, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook and Teams.
• Experience with Conquest or similar estimating software, and Asta Powerproject or equivalent programming software, would be advantageous. Relevant construction qualifications and professional accreditation are desirable