Lead Estimator

Blueprint Recruitment Solutions Ltd; High Wycombe; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Blueprint Recruitment Solutions Ltd seeks an experienced Managing Estimator to lead pricing and commercial development for major highways and infrastructure tenders. The role involves mentoring the estimating team, coordinating inputs from multiple functions and shaping commercial strategy.

The successful candidate will drive accurate, competitive estimates and cost models, with a focus on profitable growth and governance sign-offs.

Qualifications

• Extensive estimating experience within highways, infrastructure, civil engineering or term maintenance environments.
• Proven success in developing winning and profitable tender submissions.
• Strong understanding of NEC contracts, specifications and commercial risk management.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary tender teams and managing competing deadlines.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to build estimates from first principles.
• Experience using Candy or similar estimating software, along with advanced Excel skills.
• Degree qualified or equivalent industry experience.
• Professional membership of RICS, CIOB or ACostE is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the pricing and commercial development of strategic highways and street-lighting term maintenance tenders.
• Develop client information into accurate, competitive and commercially robust estimates.
• Produce deliverable tender estimates that support sustainable and profitable growth.
• Lead the estimating team and coordinate inputs from operational, commercial, procurement and bid functions.
• Coach, mentor and develop estimating professionals, strengthening capability, succession planning and estimating standards.
• Prepare and review cost models covering labour, plant, materials, subcontractors, preliminaries and overheads.
• Manage supply chain enquiries, quotation reviews and tender adjudications.
• Present pricing recommendations and commercial strategies at governance and tender sign-off reviews.
• Support clarification meetings, negotiations and client engagement activities.

Skills

Estimating experience

Highways estimating

NEC contracts understanding

Leadership

Candy estimating software

Advanced Excel

Degree-qualified

Professional membership (RICS/CIOB/ACo

Education

Degree or equivalent industry experience

Tools

Candy

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Estimator

Right across infrastructure, there is a growing need not only to maintain existing assets but also to renew, improve and reimagine them for the future. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Managing Estimator to play a key role in delivering essential infrastructure services while contributing to a culture that values safety, collaboration, innovation and professional development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the pricing and commercial development of strategic highways and street-lighting term maintenance tenders.
• Develop client information into accurate, competitive and commercially robust estimates.
• Produce deliverable tender estimates that support sustainable and profitable growth.
• Lead the estimating team and coordinate inputs from operational, commercial, procurement and bid functions.
• Coach, mentor and develop estimating professionals, strengthening capability, succession planning and estimating standards.
• Prepare and review cost models covering labour, plant, materials, subcontractors, preliminaries and overheads.
• Manage supply chain enquiries, quotation reviews and tender adjudications.
• Present pricing recommendations and commercial strategies at governance and tender sign-off reviews.
• Support clarification meetings, negotiations and client engagement activities.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• Extensive estimating experience within highways, infrastructure, civil engineering or term maintenance environments.
• Demonstrable success in developing winning and profitable tender submissions.
• Strong understanding of NEC contracts, specifications and commercial risk management.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary tender teams and managing competing deadlines.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to build estimates from first principles.
• Experience using Candy or similar estimating software, along with advanced Excel skills.
• Degree qualified or equivalent industry experience.
• Professional membership of RICS, CIOB or ACostE is desirable.

About the Role

This is a strategic leadership position within a work-winning function, responsible for leading the commercial development and pricing of major highways and infrastructure opportunities. The role provides significant exposure across the business and involves working closely with senior operational, commercial and strategic development stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be an experienced Managing Estimator with highways sector expertise, capable of leading complex bids, developing pricing strategies and mentoring a high-performing estimating team.

This opportunity would suit individuals seeking a clear pathway towards senior leadership positions such as Chief Estimator, Head of Estimating or Work Winning Director.

Flexible hybrid working arrangements are available, with an expectation of approximately two office-based days per week. Experience within highways maintenance, infrastructure services, civil engineering or term maintenance contracts is highly desirable, alongside strong NEC contract knowledge.

This is a growth-focused position within a strategically important team, offering the opportunity to influence major contract awards and help shape the future development of the estimating function.