Lead Estimator

National Gas; Warwick; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market-leading double-match pension (6

Annual performance bonus up to 6%

Tusker salary sacrifice car scheme

26 days holiday

Life assurance 10x salary

Flexible benefits: healthcare, dental,

Wellbeing and development programs

Job summary

National Gas is seeking an experienced Lead Estimator to deliver expert cost estimation for major infrastructure and engineering projects across Scotland and the North region, with occasional travel to Warwick and other sites.

The role requires leading estimating activities, developing methodologies, supporting investment decisions, and mentoring the team to maintain high standards of accuracy and commercial insight throughout the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading complex cost estimates in infrastructure, engineering, utilities or construction.
• Ability to deliver high-quality estimates independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong technical expertise in estimating, cost planning, budgeting, forecasting and risk analysis.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and challenging major project estimates.
• Experience developing estimating methodologies, standards and best practice frameworks.
• Knowledge of contract management and procurement processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation and assurance of complex cost estimates for major projects.
• Provide expert estimating advice and guidance to project teams and stakeholders.
• Develop robust estimating methodologies, assumptions, risk allowances and cost models.
• Challenge project scope and delivery strategies to improve estimate quality.
• Drive best practice and continuous improvement across the project portfolio.
• Lead tender evaluation and benchmarking to ensure value for money.
• Support investment decisions through cost forecasting, reporting and analysis.
• Mentor colleagues and promote estimating excellence.

Skills

Estimating experience

Cost planning

Budgeting

Forecasting

Risk analysis

Stakeholder influence

Estimating methodologies

Contract management

Procurement processes

Project delivery

Estimating qualification

PRINCE2 Practitioner

APM PMQ

RICS certificate

Degree qualification

Utilities industry experience

Education

Degree in construction/engineering/quantity surveying

Job description

Salary: £55,744 to £67,000 + up to 6% bonus

Location: National role covering projects across Scotland and the North region, with occasional travel to Warwick and other project locations as required

About Us

At National Gas, the work we do matters.

As Britain's national gas network, we help keep the lights on, businesses running, and homes warm by maintaining the critical infrastructure that transports gas across Great Britain. While providing the energy security Britain relies on today, we're also helping transform the network for a clean energy future.

Join us and help secure Britain's energy.

About The Role

We're seeking an experienced Lead Estimator to provide expert estimating capability across major construction and engineering projects within our Scotland and North region. Operating with minimal supervision, you'll lead the development of complex cost estimates, provide technical expertise to project teams, and influence key investment decisions from concept through to delivery.

This is a national role with occasional travel to our Warwick offices and project locations as required.

This role is critical to ensuring our investment programmes are underpinned by accurate, robust and commercially sound cost estimates. We're looking for an established estimating professional who can lead complex estimating activities independently, challenge assumptions, and provide trusted commercial insight across a diverse portfolio of projects.

From day one, you'll act as a subject matter expert, helping shape project strategies, drive estimating best practice, and support informed decision-making at all stages of the project lifecycle. Your expertise will directly influence project viability, risk management and delivery outcomes across our Scotland and North region.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the preparation and assurance of complex cost estimates for major infrastructure, construction and engineering projects
• Provide expert estimating advice and technical guidance to project teams and senior stakeholders
• Develop robust estimating methodologies, assumptions, risk allowances and cost models
• Challenge project scope, delivery strategies and commercial assumptions to improve estimate quality and accuracy
• Drive estimating best practice, standards and continuous improvement across the project portfolio
• Lead tender evaluation and benchmarking activities to ensure value for money and market competitiveness
• Support investment decision-making through high-quality cost forecasting, reporting and analysis
• Mentor colleagues and promote estimating excellence across the wider team

What you'll bring

• Extensive experience leading complex cost estimates within major infrastructure, engineering, utilities or construction environments
• Demonstrable ability to deliver high-quality estimates independently with minimal supervision
• Strong technical expertise across estimating, cost planning, budgeting, forecasting and risk analysis
• Proven experience influencing senior stakeholders and providing commercial challenge on major projects
• Experience developing estimating methodologies, standards and best practice frameworks
• Strong understanding of contract management, procurement processes and project delivery principles
• Professional estimating qualification such as AACE Certified Cost Professional (CCP), Certified Estimating Professional (CEP), or equivalent

Desirable

• PRINCE2 Practitioner, APM PMQ or equivalent project management qualification
• RICS Certificate in Construction Project Management
• Degree qualification in Construction Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline
• Experience within utilities, energy or major infrastructure environments

What We Offer

• Market-leading double-match pension (up to 12% company contribution)
• Annual performance bonus up to 6%
• Access to the Tusker salary sacrifice car scheme
• 26 days holiday (plus statutory holidays)
• 10x salary life assurance and income protection
• Flexible benefits including healthcare, dental, and technology options
• Family-friendly policies, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities

Advert close: 15th October

Inclusive recruitment

We're building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve, championing diversity, and creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is valued for their unique contribution. We support reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and beyond.

National Gas is a Disability Confident employer and signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant.