Estimator/Cost Planner

PSR Solutions; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Flexible & hybrid working

Up to 10% employer pension

Private medical cover

Life assurance

25 days annual leave with buy/sell

Wellbeing days

Employee Assistance Programme

Gym discounts nationwide

Job summary

PSR Solutions in Manchester is seeking an Estimator / Cost Planning Manager to lead pre-construction cost planning, shape bid strategy and drive value engineering on major tenders. You will manage cost plans, take-offs and align with the commercial team.

The role requires bid experience (Stage 1/2), strong data analytics, client negotiations, and robust cost control knowledge. Hybrid working with broad benefits is offered.

Qualifications

• Experience across Stage 1 and Stage 2 bid phases.
• Ability to produce detailed prelim forecasts.
• Knowledge of cost planning procedures and reporting tools.
• Strong commercial acumen and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost planning, take-offs and tender cost commentary.
• Coordinate cost plans with design teams and external consultants.
• Analyse benchmarks, inflation and value engineering opportunities.
• Prepare design fees with management support and provide bids input.
• Document scope, assumptions and pricing across stages.
• Support Bid Managers with written tender responses.

Skills

Team leadership

Drawings reading

Data analytics

Negotiation

Communication

Time management

Tendering

Value engineering

Tools

PowerBI

BoQ software

Job description

Estimator / Cost Planning Manager - Manchester

Salary: Up to £75,000 + package

The Estimator / Cost Planning Manager plays a pivotal commercial role, leading pre‑construction cost planning, shaping bid strategy, driving value engineering and managing commercial risk on major tenders. You'll act as a key commercial voice in client negotiations and a trusted liaison with external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Planning

• Develop and utilise preferred cost‑planning software and tools
• Take off quantities using Bovis measurement software
• Work with the commercial team to secure market prices and benchmark against cost plan allowances
• Prepare and analyse preliminaries for Stage 1 and Stage 2 bids
• Integrate programme, methodology, phasing and buildability into cost plans
• Quantify and price cost plans from feasibility through to contract award
• Build rates from first principles (desirable)
• Forecast trade inflation accurately
• Manage external consultants (EQ BoQ Consultancy) from appointment to quality control
• Assess subcontractor proposals
• Prepare design fees with Design Manager support
• Produce tender documentation and cost plan commentary
• Provide commercial inputs to Bid Managers for written tender responses
• Clearly document scope, assumptions and pricing throughout all stages

Design & Cost Control

• Support project teams with change control and major variations
• Ensure design development aligns with cost plan assumptions, briefs, target metrics and benchmarks

Bidding & Strategy

• Lead or support bids depending on project scale
• Ensure cost plans comply with brief, authority, financier and client requirements

Data & Analytics

• Support updates to design and cost KPIs
• Maintain benchmarking data across cost, design and programme
• Contribute to best practice, standards, knowledge bases and sector benchmarks
• Produce written narratives explaining insights and cost plan justification

Credentials

• Valid CSCS card
• Working towards or holding MRICS / MCIOB

Essential Skills

• Team influence and leadership
• Ability to read drawings and construction information
• Data analytics capability including PowerBI
• Document control proficiency
• Negotiation and presentation skills
• Problem‑solving and process compliance
• Quantity take‑off
• Strong commercial acumen
• Tendering medium‑high value subcontract packages
• Time management and prioritisation
• Value engineering capability
• Strong written and verbal communication

Essential Knowledge

• Value engineering within the design process
• Allocation of scope to trade packages
• Ability to produce detailed prelim forecasts
• Understanding of cost planning procedures and reporting tools
• Knowledge of procurement routes and RIBA design processes

Essential Experience

• Experience across Stage 1 and Stage 2 bid phases
• Reviewing subcontractor tender offers and commercial analysis
• Building inflation models and calculations
• Coordinating multiple trade packages into a master cost plan / BoQ
• Managing internal resources to meet deliverables
• Preparing cost plans across RIBA stages
• Presenting to stakeholders
• Using benchmarking data for reviews and client presentations

Behaviours

• Flexible, open and collaborative
• High attention to detail and thoroughness
• Analytical thinker
• Takes ownership of reporting and key templates
• Provides constructive challenge and feedback

What We Provide

• Car allowance
• Flexible & hybrid working
• Up to 10% employer pension contribution
• Private medical cover
• Life assurance
• 25 days annual leave with buy/sell options
• 3 wellbeing days
• Health & wellbeing initiatives
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounted access to 2,500+ gyms nationwide