Estimating Manager

United Utilities; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 26 days

Pension up to 14%

Bonus up to 20%

Healthcare cover

Hybrid working

Major infrastructure projects

Job summary

United Utilities is seeking an Estimating Manager to lead and develop a growing estimating function within a major UK infrastructure programme. You will coach estimators, ensure high-quality cost data, and provide independent challenge to project teams and external submissions.

You will shape and govern estimating standards, benchmark against market data, and collaborate with Engineering, Commercial, Procurement and Finance to drive value for customers and communities across the North West.

Qualifications

• Significant civil estimating experience within engineering, construction, utilities or major infrastructure.
• Experience preparing, reviewing and assuring estimates through the project lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of estimating methodologies, benchmarking and cost assurance.
• Experience challenging contractor estimates and commercial submissions.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop your estimating team, providing coaching and professional development.
• Provide independent cost assurance and challenge to project teams and contractor submissions.
• Promote standards, governance and continuous improvement in estimating.
• Influence investment strategies and investment planning through reliable cost data and insights.

Skills

Civil estimating

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Cost assurance

Data-driven decisions

Tools

Candy

Job description

Job number UU05951 Country United Kingdom Region Cheshire West and Chester Location name Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP Posting End Date 15/10/2026 Band 3 Role Type Permanent Salary Competitive Salary

Shape investment decisions that matter

At United Utilities, we're delivering one of the largest infrastructure investment programmes in the UK water sector. To support this investment, we're looking for Estimating Managers to lead and develop our growing estimating teams.

Combining technical expertise with strong people leadership, you'll coach and develop estimating professionals, champion high standards and support the delivery of consistent, high-quality estimating services. You'll work closely with stakeholders across the business to provide trusted cost insight that supports major investment decisions.

Whether you're already an experienced manager or a Senior Civil Estimator looking for your first leadership opportunity, this role offers the chance to shape both people and capability within one of the UK's most significant infrastructure programmes.

What you'll do

Lead and develop your estimating team

• Provide leadership, coaching and development to a team of Estimators and Senior Estimators.
• Create a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on continuous improvement and professional development.
• Support apprentices, early-career professionals and experienced estimators to maximise their potential.
• Build and maintain the capability, capacity and expertise required within your team to meet current and future business needs.
• Plan and prioritise team resources to meet business and programme requirements.

Provide independent cost assurance and challenge

• Oversee the production, review and assurance of estimates delivered by your team.
• Provide independent challenge to project teams, consultant estimates and contractor submissions.
• Review rates, quantities, indirect costs, fees, allowances and key estimating assumptions.
• Identify cost risks, opportunities and uncertainties to support informed decision-making.
• Present findings, insights and recommendations to stakeholders with confidence and credibility.
• Provide technical leadership and expert guidance on estimating and cost assurance within your area of responsibility.

Drive standards, governance and continuous improvement

• Support the development and implementation of estimating standards, procedures and governance arrangements.
• Promote consistency and best practice across projects, programmes and delivery partners.
• Support assurance reviews and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure estimates are transparent, evidence-based and aligned with business requirements.

Strengthen benchmarking and cost intelligence

• Use historical cost data, benchmarking information and market intelligence to improve estimate quality and confidence.
• Support the development of cost databases, estimating tools and productivity benchmarks.
• Champion the effective use of Candy / Benchmark estimating software and other estimating tools.
• Work closely with Benchmarking and Cost Capture teams to improve forecasting accuracy and investment planning.
• Identify trends and lessons learned to improve estimating performance and share best practice across the estimating community.

Influence across the business

• Build strong relationships across Engineering, Commercial, Procurement, Finance, Project Management and Delivery teams.
• Support the development of investment strategies, business cases and programme plans.
• Engage constructively with framework partners and external stakeholders.
• Provide trusted advice and professional judgement that helps deliver best value for customers.

What we're looking for

• Significant civil estimating experience within engineering, construction, utilities, infrastructure or other capital project environments.
• Experience preparing, reviewing and assuring estimates throughout the project lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of estimating methodologies, benchmarking and cost assurance.
• Experience challenging contractor estimates and commercial submissions.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing individuals or teams.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex cost information clearly and effectively.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• A passion for developing people and building high-performing teams.

We'd particularly like to hear from

• Experienced Civil Senior Estimators ready to progress into their first management role.
• Existing Estimating Managers seeking a strategic client-side leadership opportunity.
• Candidates with experience in water, wastewater, civil engineering or major infrastructure projects.
• Experience working within the water sector or another regulated industry.
• Knowledge of benchmarking techniques, cost intelligence and data-driven estimating.
• Experience using estimating software, such as Candy or similar estimating tools
• Membership of ACostE, RICS, ICE or a similar professional body.

At United Utilities, you'll help influence investment decisions that directly impact customers, communities and the environment across the North West. You'll work client-side on one of the UK's largest capital investment programmes, providing independent challenge, assurance and insight that helps shape future infrastructure investment.

You'll lead a talented team, influence senior decision-makers and play a key role in developing a market-leading estimating function.

• 26 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after four years, plus bank holidays
• Competitive pension with up to 14% employer contribution
• Up to 20% annual bonus
• Company-funded healthcare
• Hybrid and flexible working
• The opportunity to work on one of the UK's most significant water and wastewater investment programmes

About United Utilities

United Utilities proudly serves the North West, delivering high-quality water and wastewater services that support healthier communities, a stronger economy and a greener environment.

We're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every requirement, we'd still love to hear from you. Diverse perspectives help us build stronger teams and better outcomes for our customers and communities.