Major Projects Estimator

Lorien; North East; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Lorien in the North East is seeking an experienced Major Projects Estimator to join a busy infrastructure team delivering major highways and civil engineering projects. You will lead cost planning, tendering, and pre-construction activities to support successful capital schemes.

The role involves preparing detailed cost estimates and BoQs, reviewing drawings, obtaining quotations, evaluating tenders, and contributing to value engineering.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Estimator or Senior Estimator within highways, civil engineering, infrastructure, utilities, or construction projects.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates, budgets, cost plans, and commercial proposals for major projects.
• Develop fully priced Bills of Quantities (BoQs) and activity schedules.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and project documentation to produce accurate take-offs and cost models.
• Obtain and assess quotations from suppliers and subcontractors for labour, plant, materials, and services.
• Evaluate tender returns and compare commercial submissions.
• Support governance, approval, and risk management processes throughout bid and pre-construction stages.
• Contribute to value engineering initiatives to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Assist in pricing variations and compensation events in accordance with NEC contracts.
• Manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs within strict deadlines.
• Collaborate effectively with estimating, commercial, design, and operational delivery teams.

Skills

Cost planning

Tender submissions

Pre-construction activities

NEC contracts

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Organisational skills

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Major Projects Estimator to join a busy infrastructure team delivering major highways and civil engineering projects. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded estimator with a strong background in cost planning, tendering, and pre-construction activities to support the successful delivery of significant capital projects.

The successful candidate will play a key role in preparing accurate cost estimates, budgets, Bills of Quantities, and commercial proposals, working closely with commercial, design, procurement, and delivery teams to ensure competitive and robust pricing submissions.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates, budgets, cost plans, and commercial proposals for major projects.
• Develop fully priced Bills of Quantities (BoQs) and activity schedules.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and project documentation to produce accurate take-offs and cost models.
• Obtain and assess quotations from suppliers and subcontractors for labour, plant, materials, and services.
• Evaluate tender returns and compare commercial submissions.
• Support governance, approval, and risk management processes throughout bid and pre-construction stages.
• Contribute to value engineering initiatives to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Assist in pricing variations and compensation events in accordance with NEC contracts.
• Manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs within strict deadlines.
• Collaborate effectively with estimating, commercial, design, and operational delivery teams.

Required Experience

• Proven experience as an Estimator or Senior Estimator within highways, civil engineering, infrastructure, utilities, or construction projects.
• Strong experience preparing detailed cost estimates, tender submissions, and Bills of Quantities.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and project documentation.
• Experience engaging with subcontractors and suppliers to obtain and analyse pricing information.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of project risk.
• Excellent analytical, organisational, and stakeholder management skills.
• NEC contract knowledge, including pricing variations and compensation events.
• Experience working on highways, transport infrastructure, local authority, or major capital projects.
• Background working for Tier 1 contractors, civil engineering firms, or infrastructure organisations.