Estimator / Cost Engineer

Russell Taylor Group Ltd; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading geotechnical engineering firm seeks a Senior Estimator / Cost Engineer to lead estimating and bidding for ground investigation projects. This role involves managing bid governance, ensuring compliance, and enhancing commercial performance. Ideal candidates will have experience in geotechnical engineering, strong estimating skills, and be degree-qualified. Join a company known for career progression and a people-centric culture during a significant growth phase.

Benefits

Extensive benefits package

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in geotechnical engineering or closely aligned environment.
• Background in estimating, cost engineering, or commercial management.
• Degree-qualified in a relevant technical discipline or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Leadership of estimating and commercial management for ground investigation projects.
• Ownership of bid governance ensuring accurate and compliant tenders.
• Managing incoming tender enquiries and client expectations.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Cost engineering

Commercial management

Estimating

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree in quantity surveying, geotechnical engineering, or related disciplines

Tools

Estimating software (Eque2 Evaluate)

MS Project

P6

Job description

Senior Estimator / Cost Engineer (Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor / Bid Manager)

Location: Birmingham (Agile Working)

Salary: 60,000 - 70,000 + Extensive Benefits Package

The Opportunity

We are representing a UK market leader in Geotechnical Engineering and Ground Investigation, recognised for technical authority, commercial rigour, and a strong, people-focused culture.

As part of a planned and sustained growth strategy, the business is strengthening its commercial and bidding capability. This newly enhanced role offers an experienced Senior Estimator / Cost Engineer the opportunity to take a leading position in shaping bid strategy, pricing, and commercial performance across a diverse and technically complex portfolio of ground investigation works.

This is a senior appointment with real influence over which projects are bid, how they are priced, and how commercial risk is managed.

The Role

Reporting into senior commercial leadership, you will provide end-to-end commercial and estimating leadership from early engagement through to project handover. You will operate at the centre of the business, working closely with operations, business development, and senior management.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership of estimating, cost planning, and commercial management for geotechnical and ground investigation projects
• Ownership of bid governance, ensuring tenders are accurate, competitive, contractually compliant, and aligned with agreed margin and risk targets
• Managing incoming tender enquiries, prioritisation, and client expectations around turnaround times
• Contributing to bid/no-bid decisions, including responsibility for small to medium projects and input into major bid approvals
• Participation in commercial and pricing strategy discussions based on workload, market conditions, and business objectives
• Ensuring effective handover from bid stage to project delivery teams, maintaining commercial continuity
• Acting as a senior commercial point of contact for key clients and tender interviews

Technical & Commercial Capability

• Preparation of detailed cost estimates covering drilling, in-situ testing, laboratory testing, plant, preliminaries, and specialist subcontractors
• Strong working knowledge of NEC3/4 and ICE conditions of contract, including risk allocation and compensation events
• Awareness of CDM Regulations, Health & Safety requirements, and commercial risk mitigation
• Experience using estimating software such as Eque2 Evaluate or similar advantageous
• Ability to interpret or review logic-linked programmes (MS Project, P6 or equivalent) beneficial

Leadership & People Management

• Line management, workload planning, and performance oversight of estimating / commercial team members
• Identification of training and development needs to support team growth and capability
• Willingness to act as an overflow bidding resource during peak workload periods
• A collaborative leadership style, able to influence across disciplines

About You

• Proven experience in geotechnical engineering, ground investigation, or a closely aligned enabling works environment
• Strong background in estimating, cost engineering, quantity surveying, or commercial management
• Confident commercial decision-maker with a track record of driving positive financial outcomes
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust with clients and internal stakeholders
• Degree-qualified in a relevant technical discipline (quantity surveying, geotechnical engineering, engineering geology, geology, civil engineering) or equivalent demonstrable industry experience

Why Apply?

• Join an industry-leading business with a strong UK reputation and secure forward workload
• Play a key role in shaping the commercial and bidding function during a period of growth
• Genuine, visible career progression beyond traditional estimating roles
• A people-centric employer known for investing in its teams and promoting from within
• An ideal move for professionals feeling constrained, overlooked, or frustrated in less ambitious organisations

If 2025 has been a year of limited progression or influence, this role offers a clear, credible step forward within a business that values expertise, leadership, and long-term thinking. Contact Russell Taylor for a confidential conversation and discussion.

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