Estimating Manager

Paxton Personnel Ltd; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent pension provision

Generous annual leave

Healthcare and wellbeing benefits

Professional development opportunities

Ongoing training and support

Collaborative senior management team

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced Estimating Manager for a leading civil engineering contractor in the Scottish Highlands. The role focuses on overseeing the estimating function from enquiry to tender submission, ensuring competitive and accurate pricing aligned with commercial objectives.

You will collaborate with senior management, commercial, operations and project teams to develop robust tenders, identify risks and maximise value across complex projects in challenging terrains.

Qualifications

• Experience in civil engineering or construction estimating.
• Proven track record of pricing and winning civil engineering projects.
• Knowledge of construction methodologies, costs and market conditions.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications and tender documentation.
• Experience leading estimating teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the estimating team.
• Oversee preparation and submission of tenders for civil projects.
• Review specifications, drawings, scopes and contract documentation.
• Develop detailed cost estimates, budgets and pricing strategies.
• Obtain and evaluate subcontractor and supplier quotations.
• Identify commercial, technical and contractual risks and opportunities.
• Support handover with commercial and operations teams.
• Attend client and tender meetings as required.
• Develop relationships with clients and suppliers.
• Improve estimating processes and systems.
• Support strategic growth across the Highlands.
• Mentor junior estimators and wider commercial team.

Skills

Civil engineering estimating

Commercial awareness

Leadership

Tendering

Risk assessment

Negotiation

Mentoring

Education

Civil Engineering degree

Quantity Surveying degree

Construction Management degree

Job description

We are working with a highly respected civil engineering company with anexcellent reputation for quality, professionalism and delivering complex projects successfully.

Due to continued growth and an exciting pipeline of work across the Scottish Highlands, we are looking for an experienced and commercially mindedEstimating Manager to join the team.

This is a key leadership position for someone who can combine strong technical estimating expertise with commercial awareness, strategic thinking and the ability to lead and develop a high-performing estimating function.

If you're looking for more than just your next job — and want the opportunity to build a long-term career with a company that genuinely values its people — this could be an excellent move.

The Role

As Estimating Manager, you will take responsibility for overseeing the estimating function from initial enquiry through to tender submission, ensuring projects are competitively and accurately priced while meeting the company's commercial and strategic objectives.

You will work closely with senior management, commercial, operational and project teams to develop robust tenders and identify opportunities and risks.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and managing the estimating team.
• Overseeing the preparation and submission of competitive tenders for civil engineering projects.
• Reviewing specifications, drawings, scopes and contract documentation.
• Developing detailed and accurate cost estimates, budgets and pricing strategies.
• Obtaining and evaluating subcontractor and supplier quotations.
• Identifying commercial, technical and contractual risks and opportunities.
• Working closely with the commercial and operations teams to ensure successful project handover.
• Attending client and tender meetings where required.
• Developing relationships with clients, consultants, subcontractors and suppliers.
• Ensuring estimating processes, systems and standards are continually improved.
• Supporting the company's strategic growth across the Highlands.
• Mentoring and developing junior estimators and members of the wider commercial team.

About You

We're looking for an experienced Estimating Manager, Senior Estimator or Estimator ready to take the next step in their career.

Ideally, you will have:

• Strong experience withincivil engineering or construction estimating.
• A proven track record of pricing and winning civil engineering projects.
• Excellent knowledge of construction methodologies, costs and market conditions.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness.
• The ability to interpret drawings, specifications and tender documentation.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach.
• The confidence to lead, influence and make commercial decisions.
• Experience managing or mentoring an estimating team would be advantageous.
• Relevant qualifications in Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or a related discipline are desirable.

Most importantly, you'll be commercially astute, highly organised and motivated by delivering high-quality work.

Why Join?

This is a company with anoutstanding reputation in the civil engineering sector, offering the opportunity to work on interesting and challenging projects in one of the most spectacular parts of the UK.

You’ll be joining a business that understands that its people are its greatest asset and offers afantastic benefits package, excellent career prospects and a supportive working environment.

You'll benefit from:

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Excellent pension provision.
• Generous annual leave.
• Company healthcare and wellbeing benefits.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• Ongoing training and support.
• A collaborative and highly experienced senior management team.
• The opportunity to play a significant role in the company's continued growth.
• Varied and technically interesting civil engineering projects.
• A genuine long-term career opportunity rather than simply another job.

Applicants must already live locally or be genuinely prepared to relocate to the Highlands.