Graham Academy - Assistant Estimator - Interior Fit Out - Northern Ireland

BPIC Network; Greater London; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Graduate programme

Chartership pathway

Job summary

Graham Academy in Northern Ireland Hillsborough, UK, is seeking an Assistant Estimator for interior fit-out projects. The two-year graduate programme focuses on developing technical and interpersonal skills, with a mentored training plan aligned to a recognised professional qualification, setting you on a path to chartership.

You will learn costing, tendering, and value engineering while supporting the commercial team on challenging projects and fast-tracked development.

Qualifications

• Hold a Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or Commercial Management degree.
• Demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills with a high level of attention to detail.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work as part of a team and manage priorities effectively.
• Right to work in the UK.
• Previous placement, internship, or work experience within the construction or fit-out industry.
• An appreciation of Health & Safety practices within a construction environment.
• Understanding of interior fit-out materials, specification requirements, and construction methods.
• Experience using estimating or quantity take-off software.
• Ability to demonstrate problem-solving skills and commercial awareness.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing accurate cost estimates, budgets, and cost plans for interior fit-out and refurbishment projects.
• Review tender documents, drawings, specifications, schedules, and design information.
• Carry out quantity take-offs and measurements from drawings and project documentation.
• Obtain, compare, and evaluate subcontractor and supplier quotations, ensuring compliance with tender requirements.
• Support the pricing of key fit-out elements including partitions, ceilings, flooring, joinery, furniture, finishes, decorations, and specialist interior packages.
• Assist in preparing bills of quantities, schedules of rates, and pricing documents.
• Contribute to the development of tender submissions and supporting documentation.
• Support value engineering exercises and identify opportunities to deliver cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.
• Maintain and update cost databases, supplier and subcontractor information, and historic project data.
• Help prepare tender adjudication reports and support bid presentations to senior management.
• Work closely with Estimators, Quantity Surveyors, Design Managers, Buyers, and the wider Commercial team to ensure estimates are accurate and commercially viable.
• Develop an understanding of project programmes, construction methodologies, and procurement strategies within the fit-out sector.
• Support compliance with company standards, health & safety procedures, sustainability objectives, and quality requirements.

Skills

QS/CM degree

Communication

Numerical & analytical

IT skills (Excel)

Teamwork & prioritisation

Right to work in UK

Placement/Internship

Health & Safety awareness

Interior fit-out knowledge

Estimating software

Commercial awareness/Problem solving

Education

Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or Commercial Management degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Estimating software

Job description

Job Description: The Assistant Estimator shall:

• Assist in preparing accurate cost estimates, budgets, and cost plans for interior fit-out and refurbishment projects.
• Review tender documents, drawings, specifications, schedules, and design information.
• Carry out quantity take-offs and measurements from drawings and project documentation.
• Obtain, compare, and evaluate subcontractor and supplier quotations, ensuring compliance with tender requirements.
• Support the pricing of key fit-out elements including partitions, ceilings, flooring, joinery, furniture, finishes, decorations, and specialist interior packages.
• Assist in preparing bills of quantities, schedules of rates, and pricing documents.
• Contribute to the development of tender submissions and supporting documentation.
• Support value engineering exercises and identify opportunities to deliver cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.
• Maintain and update cost databases, supplier and subcontractor information, and historic project data.
• Help prepare tender adjudication reports and support bid presentations to senior management.
• Work closely with Estimators, Quantity Surveyors, Design Managers, Buyers, and the wider Commercial team to ensure estimates are accurate and commercially viable.
• Develop an understanding of project programmes, construction methodologies, and procurement strategies within the fit-out sector.
• Support compliance with company standards, health & safety procedures, sustainability objectives, and quality requirements.

GRAHAM ROUTES TO BECOMING AN ESTIMATOR

We offer a two year programme which focuses on developing your technical and interpersonal skills. In addition, a structured, mentored training programme, aligned to a recognised professional qualification, will set you on the pathway to chartership. Through early responsibility you’ll learn quickly on challenging projects with the opportunity for fast track career advancement.

GRADUATES

We offer a two year programme which focuses on developing your technical and interpersonal skills. In addition, a structured, mentored training programme, aligned to a recognised professional qualification, will set you on the pathway to chartership. Through early responsibility you’ll learn quickly on challenging projects with the opportunity for fast track career advancement.

Requirements

Personal Specification
Technical Competencies
Essential

• Hold a Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or Commercial Management degree.
• Demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills with a high level of attention to detail.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work as part of a team and manage priorities effectively.
• Right to work in the UK.
• Previous placement, internship, or work experience within the construction or fit-out industry.
• An appreciation of Health & Safety practices within a construction environment.
• Understanding of interior fit-out materials, specification requirements, and construction methods.
• Experience using estimating or quantity take-off software.
• Ability to demonstrate problem-solving skills and commercial awareness.

Commercial Awareness Shows willingness to develop strong business acumen and an understanding of the commercial drivers behind successful fit-out projects. Demonstrates an appreciation of cost, quality, programme, and client expectations.

Effective Communication Skills Able to adapt communication to different audiences and produce detailed written documents, reports, and tender submissions. Maintains professional relationships with clients, consultants, suppliers, subcontractors, and colleagues while promoting the GRAHAM brand.

Customer Focus Takes time to understand the client's requirements and project objectives. Works collaboratively to identify solutions that deliver long-term value and exceptional outcomes.

Influencing Builds productive relationships across project teams, supply chain partners, and stakeholders to support the successful delivery of business objectives.

Initiative Works proactively to solve problems and deliver results. Demonstrates a willingness to learn, improve processes, and minimise waste and inefficiencies. Takes ownership of responsibilities and can work with minimal supervision.

Attention to Detail Produces accurate measurements, estimates, and pricing information. Ensures high standards of accuracy across all tender documentation and commercial submissions.

Team Player Works collaboratively across departments to achieve company objectives. Demonstrates honesty, loyalty, commitment, and a positive attitude while supporting colleagues and sharing knowledge.

Negotiation Develops the ability to negotiate effectively with subcontractors and suppliers to obtain competitive quotations while ensuring quality, programme, and project requirements are maintained.

GRAHAM Academy - Assistant Estimator - Interior Fit Out - Northern Ireland Hillsborough, LND, gb