Estimating Manager - Power

Strabag; Stafford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

STRABAG UK is seeking an Estimating Manager based in Stafford to lead and develop the estimating team for HV substation, transmission and distribution projects in the UK energy sector.

You will work closely with engineering, procurement and bid teams to produce accurate, competitive cost estimates reflecting project requirements, risks and delivery methodologies. The role focuses on robust tender submissions and strategic pricing.

Qualifications

• Significant estimating/cost planning experience in power, transmission or utilities sectors.
• Experience leading an estimating team and delivering tender submissions.
• Strong understanding of HV substations, cables and transmission works.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop the estimating team and resources for timely tenders.
• Oversee detailed cost estimates for substation and T&D projects UK-wide.
• Develop procedures, templates and cost databases to ensure consistency.
• Review tender documentation and establish scope, cost drivers and risks.
• Prepare and validate estimates for labour, plant, materials and overheads.
• Collaborate with engineering, procurement and bid teams for accurate inputs.
• Contribute to tender strategy, value engineering and pricing decisions.
• Assess risks, contractual obligations and programme constraints for robust tender offers.
• Liaise with suppliers to review quotations and align pricing with project needs.
• Present estimates and rationale to senior management.

Skills

Estimating

Cost planning

Team leadership

Power infrastructure

Tender pricing

Analytical thinking

Excel proficiency

Education

Degree in engineering or quantity surveying

Tools

Estimating software

Microsoft Excel

Cost databases

Job description

Tasks

About STRABAG UK

For over a decade, STRABAG UK has brought the strength and success of the STRABAG Group to the UK. With over 180 years of company history and active in over 2,400 locations across more than 50 countries, the STRABAG Group is a diverse leader in construction, innovation, and financial strength.

Headquartered in Vienna, the STRABAG Group offers a wide range of construction services across the industry and the entire construction value chain.

We are committed to long-term investment in the UK through ambitious projects spanning various sectors, with a steadfast focus on supporting our people and protecting the environment.

About The Role

The role will cover a mixture of high‑voltage (HV) substation projects and wider transmission and distribution (T&D) works, contributing to the continued growth of STRABAG UK's capabilities within the UK energy sector.

Based at our Stafford office, the successful candidate will lead and develop the estimating team, overseeing the preparation of accurate, competitive and commercially robust cost estimates. Working closely with our engineering, procurement, commercial, project delivery and bid teams, the Estimating Manager will play a key role in developing effective tender strategies, identifying project risks and opportunities, and ensuring submissions reflect the technical requirements, programme and delivery methodologies of each project.

Role Requirements

• Lead, manage and develop the estimating team, allocating resources and workload to ensure the timely preparation of accurate and competitive tender submissions.
• Oversee the preparation and review of detailed cost estimates for substation, transmission and distribution projects across the UK.
• Develop, implement and maintain estimating procedures, standards, templates, cost databases and benchmarking information to promote consistency and accuracy.
• Review tender documentation, technical specifications, drawings and project requirements to establish scope, identify cost drivers and assess potential risks and opportunities.
• Prepare and validate cost estimates covering labour, plant, materials, subcontractors, specialist equipment, temporary works, preliminaries and overheads.
• Work collaboratively with engineering, procurement, commercial, bid and operational teams to obtain accurate technical information, supplier quotations and cost inputs.
• Contribute to tender strategy and pricing decisions, identifying opportunities for value engineering, cost optimisation and alternative delivery methodologies.
• Assess project risks, contractual obligations, programme constraints and commercial assumptions to ensure estimates provide a robust basis for tender submissions and project delivery.
• Liaise with suppliers and subcontractors to review quotations, validate pricing and ensure proposed costs align with project requirements.
• Present estimates, pricing assumptions, risk allowances and supporting rationale to senior management and other stakeholders, providing clear justification for cost recommendations.
• Support the continuous improvement of estimating processes, lessons learned and cost intelligence to strengthen the competitiveness and performance of the Power business unit.
• Promote effective collaboration across the wider business, ensuring estimating activities align with STRABAG UK's commercial objectives and growth ambitions.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in an estimating or cost planning role within the power, transmission and distribution, utilities, infrastructure or wider construction sector.
• Previous experience managing or leading an estimating team, with the ability to prioritise workloads, develop team capability and deliver against tender deadlines.
• Strong technical understanding of power infrastructure projects, including HV substations, substation civil engineering, electrical plant and equipment, cabling, overhead lines and associated transmission and distribution works.
• Proven ability to develop, review and challenge detailed cost estimates for complex infrastructure or engineering projects.
• Strong commercial awareness, including an understanding of project risk, cost planning, procurement strategies and contractual requirements.
• Experience working with standard forms of contract, particularly NEC, and an understanding of their implications for tender pricing and project delivery.
• Strong analytical, numerical and problem-solving skills, with excellent attention to detail and a structured approach to cost assessment.
• Proficiency in estimating software and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain and justify estimates to senior stakeholders, clients, suppliers and subcontractors.
• A proactive and collaborative approach, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and support business growth.
• A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant engineering, construction or quantity surveying discipline, or demonstrable equivalent industry experience.