Managing Estimator

Involve Recruitment Ltd.; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Involve Recruitment Ltd. is partnering with a leading Tier 1 contractor to recruit a Managing Estimator to lead estimating activities for major highways tenders across the UK.

You will manage a team of estimators and deliver accurate, competitive cost estimates from bid strategy through to tender submission. The role requires coordinating inputs with Commercial, Operations and Design, reviewing tender documents, and mentoring junior staff.

Qualifications

• Significant estimating experience within highways maintenance or infrastructure.
• Experience leading estimating teams and contributing to successful bids.
• Strong understanding of NEC and target cost contracts.
• Proven ability to manage multiple tenders with governance.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team delivering major highways tenders and frameworks.
• Develop detailed cost estimates, pricing models and tender submissions.
• Review tender documentation, identifying 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 pricing allowances.
• Engage with supply chain partners to secure quotations and market intelligence.
• Maintain estimating databases, benchmarking information and cost models.
• Mentor and develop Estimators and Assistant Estimators.
• Provide estimating expertise through pre-contract and contract award stages.

Skills

Leadership

Estimating

NEC contracts

Cost modelling

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or Quantity Surveying

Tools

CostX

Excel

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