Managing Estimator

Involve Recruitment Ltd.; Hemel Hempstead; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

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

The role will manage a team of estimators from bid strategy through tender submission to contract award. The position offers hybrid working with at least one day per week at head office and requires strong NEC/target cost contract experience, risk and opportunity assessment, and collaboration with Commercial, Operations and

Qualifications

• Significant estimating experience within highways maintenance or infrastructure.
• Proven track record in contributing to successful bids and framework submissions.
• Experience leading and developing estimating teams.

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.

Skills

Team leadership

Cost estimation

Tender submissions

Commercial awareness

NEC contracts

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.