Lead Cost Estimator

Nexos Group; Aberdeen City; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Lead Cost Estimator role at Nexos Group combines strategic leadership with hands-on cost estimation across engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning and project management activities. You’ll drive consistency in processes, provide commercial insight for bids, and mentor a growing team of estimators.

You'll influence senior decision-makers, support business growth, and shape best-practice estimating standards across the Group, while developing high-performing teams in a fast-changing

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering, QS, construction management or cost engineering.
• Significant cost estimating experience in energy, industrial, construction sectors.
• Proven leadership of estimating teams and mentoring colleagues.
• Strong understanding of commercial drivers and project delivery models.
• Experience delivering estimates for large-scale engineering projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of accurate, competitive cost estimates across projects.
• Provide commercial insight to bids, planning and delivery.
• Drive consistency across estimating processes, systems and data.
• Mentor and develop the estimating team and foster continuous improvement.
• Support project controls, risk analysis and stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Cost estimation

Risk analysis

Stakeholder management

Commercial awareness

Education

Engineering degree

Quantity Surveying

Construction management

Cost engineering

Job description

Lead Cost Estimator

Flexible UK Location | Travel to Nexos Group Offices Required

Shape Major Projects. Influence Key Decisions. Build Your Future with Nexos.

At Nexos, we're delivering the engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance solutions that power some of the UK's most critical energy and industrial projects. As our business continues to grow, we're looking for an experienced and commercially minded Lead Cost Estimator to play a pivotal role in shaping project success from concept through to execution.

This is more than an estimating role. It's an opportunity to become a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, influence strategic business decisions, mentor the next generation of estimators, and help drive excellence across a fast-growing organisation.

If you're passionate about accuracy, commercial performance, and developing high-performing teams, we'd love to hear from you.

Why Join Nexos?

At Nexos, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We pride ourselves on creating an environment where expertise is valued, innovation is encouraged, and career progression is supported.

When you join Nexos, you'll benefit from:

A key leadership role with visibility across the entire Group

Opportunities to work on complex, high-value engineering and construction projects

Exposure to senior decision-makers and strategic business planning

A collaborative culture built on teamwork, respect, and continuous improvement

The chance to lead and develop a growing estimating function

Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities

The opportunity to shape best-practice estimating standards across the business

The Opportunity

As Lead Cost Estimator, you will lead the development of accurate, competitive, and commercially robust cost estimates across a diverse portfolio of engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and project management activities.

You'll be responsible for driving consistency across estimating processes, systems, databases, and methodologies throughout the Nexos Group while providing critical commercial insight that supports successful bids, project delivery, and business growth.

Your expertise will directly influence project success and help ensure Nexos remains competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead Estimate Development
• Commercial & Strategic Support
• Risk, Benchmarking & Cost Analysis
• Leadership & Continuous Improvement
• Project Support

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a motivated and experienced professional who combines technical expertise with strong leadership and commercial awareness.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Cost Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Significant cost estimating experience within engineering, energy, industrial, construction, or infrastructure sectors.
• Proven experience producing and leading estimates for large-scale engineering and construction projects.
• Previous experience leading, mentoring, and developing teams.
• Strong understanding of commercial drivers and project delivery models.

Desirable

• Professional membership or qualification such as:
• RICS
• AACE Certified Cost Professional (CCP)
• Other relevant industry accreditation

Key Skills

We're particularly interested in candidates with experience in:

• Advanced estimating methodologies
• Cost modelling and benchmarking
• Quantity take-offs
• Risk and contingency analysis
• Tendering and bid management
• Commercial and contractual awareness
• Project controls integration
• Stakeholder management
• Business planning and commercial strategy
• Data analysis and reporting
• Continuous improvement initiatives

You'll also have excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Why This Role Matters

As Lead Cost Estimator, you'll sit at the centre of some of Nexos' most important business decisions. Your expertise will help secure new opportunities, strengthen commercial performance, and ensure successful project delivery across the Group.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to move beyond producing estimates and become a key contributor to business success, operational excellence, and long-term growth.

Join Nexos

If you're ready to lead, influence, and make a real impact within a growing organisation that values expertise, innovation, and collaboration, we'd love to hear from you.

Join Nexos and help shape the future of engineering and infrastructure delivery.