Managing Estimator

Involve Recruitment Ltd.; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Involve Recruitment Ltd. is placing a Managing Estimator with a leading Tier 1 national contractor to lead estimating activities across major highways maintenance tenders.

You will manage a team of Estimators, develop detailed cost estimates and tender submissions, and ensure pricing is accurate, competitive and aligned with delivery strategies. The role offers hybrid working and regular coordination with the head office.

Qualifications

• Significant estimating experience within highways maintenance or infrastructure.
• Experience leading and developing estimating teams.
• Strong understanding of construction methodologies and NEC/target cost contracts.
• Ability to manage multiple tenders with governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Estimators delivering major highways tenders and frameworks.
• Develop detailed cost estimates, pricing models and tender submissions.
• Review tender docs, identify risks, opportunities and delivery requirements.
• Coordinate inputs from Commercial, Operations, Design and Procurement.
• Ensure estimates are compliant, competitive and aligned with delivery methods.
• Support bid strategy, win themes and commercial positioning.
• Lead risk and opportunity assessments and pricing allowances.
• Engage with supply chain partners for quotations and market intelligence.
• Maintain estimating databases and cost models.
• Support pricing governance, bid reviews and approvals.
• Mentor Estimators and Assistant Estimators.
• Provide estimating expertise through pre-contract and contract award stages.

Skills

Estimating leadership

Highways maintenance

Bid strategy

Pricing & cost modelling

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Job description

Our client is a leading Tier 1 national contractor with a strong presence across the UK highways and infrastructure sector. They are seeking an experienced Managing Estimator to lead estimating activities across major highways maintenance tenders. The role will lead a team of Estimators and take responsibility for delivering accurate, competitive and commercially robust estimates from bid strategy through to tender submission and contract award. The position offers a hybrid working arrangement, with an expectancy to attend head office meeting and coordinate with wider team at least one day per week.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Estimators delivering major highways maintenance tenders and frameworks.
• Develop detailed cost estimates, pricing models and tender submissions.
• Review tender documentation, identifying key risks, opportunities, assumptions and delivery requirements.
• Coordinate estimating inputs from Commercial, Operations, Design and Procurement teams.
• Ensure estimates are accurate, compliant, competitive and aligned with delivery methodologies.
• Support bid strategy, win themes and commercial positioning.
• Lead risk and opportunity assessments and develop appropriate pricing allowances.
• Engage with supply chain partners to secure competitive quotations and market intelligence.
• Maintain estimating databases, benchmarking information and cost models.
• Support pricing governance, bid reviews and approvals.
• Mentor and develop Estimators and Assistant Estimators.
• Provide estimating expertise through pre-contract and contract award stages.

Candidate Profile

• Significant estimating experience within highways maintenance, term contracts or infrastructure.
• Proven track record of contributing to successful bids and framework submissions.
• Experience leading and developing estimating teams.
• Strong understanding of construction methodologies, temporary works and resource planning.
• Strong commercial awareness and experience of NEC and target cost contracts.
• Ability to manage multiple tenders while maintaining accuracy, quality and governance.
• Strong communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Ideally experienced within a Tier 1 contractor or major infrastructure organisation