Principal Estimator

RSK GROUP; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading company in the water industry as a Principal Estimator. You will lead estimating teams on high-impact projects, producing accurate estimates and developing integrated project solutions while mentoring peers. This role provides an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual to shape the future of water engineering in the UK.

Benefits

Private Health Insurance

Income Protection

Life Assurance

Annual Leave Purchase

Discounted Gym Membership

Mental Health Support

Qualifications

• Proven experience in civil or MEICA estimating.
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the estimating function on individual projects.
• Produce detailed cost estimates and tender documentation.
• Manage and grow the estimating team.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial Acumen

Civil Estimating

Communication

Job description

The Vacancy

Principal Estimator – Water Industry Projects
Location: UK (flexible with travel as required)
Company: Binnies UK (part of the RSK Group)

Are you an experienced Estimator ready to step into a leadership role on high-impact infrastructure projects? Join Binnies UK as a Principal Estimator and help shape the future of water and environmental engineering across the UK.

We’re looking for a confident and driven individual to lead our Estimating team, combining technical, commercial, and leadership skills to deliver accurate, efficient, and robust estimates across a range of exciting water industry projects.

What You’ll Be Doing:

As a Principal Estimator, you’ll:

• Lead the estimating function on individual projects and frameworks, ensuring high-quality and consistent outputs.
• Produce detailed cost estimates, Bills of Quantities (BoQs), and tender documentation.
• Oversee estimating activities on a newly awarded water industry framework, focusing on non-infrastructure (water/wastewater treatment) projects.
• Manage and grow the estimating team as framework delivery scales up.
• Engage with engineering, commercial, procurement, and construction teams to develop integrated project solutions.
• Build strong relationships with the supply chain and clients.
• Support wider business development by contributing to competitive tenders across water and other industrial sectors.
• Drive continual improvement of processes, cost data, and estimating tools.

What We’re Looking For:

We’re after someone with the technical expertise and commercial awareness to lead pre-construction estimating and the communication skills to collaborate across disciplines.

You’ll need:

• Proven experience in civil or MEICA estimating (within water industry desirable).
• Leadership ability – mentoring, coaching, and developing teams.
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking.
• The ability to develop estimates from first principles and across all project stages.
• Knowledge of supply chain engagement, procurement processes, and cost assurance.
• Experience with risk and opportunity management within estimates.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel for site visits and collaboration meetings.

About Us

We develop intelligent solutions using our award-winning integrated planning and design approach to deliver functional infrastructure and lasting environmental and social legacies. This is backed by a culture that has stayed true since our foundation over 100 years ago. We create new possibilities for humanity through our innovative approach to delivery.

Together with our clients, we are always striving to find a smarter way to deliver projects. From providing low carbon, sustainable and resilient water solutions, flood alleviation and environment services, to connecting people with insights and data. Our business exists to improve the quality of life for our local communities today and for generations to come.

Binnies is part of the RSK Group, a leading integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services business providing dynamic, multidisciplinary services to a wide range of sectors. RSK was founded in 1989 and has grown considerably since then.

At RSK, we operate as a group of businesses that work together seamlessly, aiming for growth through diversification. Our strategy helps us build a strong and resilient business, capable of weathering external challenges, while also providing greater value to our clients and more opportunities for our employees.

Since the beginning, our philosophy has remained the same: employ, develop and reward talented individuals. People are crucial to our company, and we recognise that our success hinges on our colleagues' growth. We're committed to preserving RSK's people-first culture, promoting innovation, and fostering a supportive and caring environment for collaboration. At RSK, we want you to be part of our successes and help you reach your career aspirations. We take pride in offering employees fulfilling and challenging careers by promoting ongoing growth and empowering individuals to excel.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We firmly believe that embracing and celebrating the diversity in our workforce makes us a stronger and more innovative company.

If you're passionate about making a difference, join us as we work together to build a brighter, more equitable, and sustainable future for all. Do you have what it takes?

Benefits

Private Health Insurance

Income Protection

High Street Vouchers

Life Assurance

Annual Leave Purchase

Cycle to Work Scheme

Discounted Gym Membership

Mental Health Support

Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme

Sectors

Environment

We create sustainable critical infrastructure across the whole asset life cycle to meet the net zero challenge. We integrate sustainability into everything we do, utilising digital innovation to create value. We de-risk projects through collaborative engagement and holistic thinking which builds inclusive wealth for our clients, stakeholders and communities.

Water

We are engaged in every aspect of the water industry, helping clients efficiently and effectively collect, store, move and treat water and wastewater; plan and manage watersheds; harness the energy embedded in the treatment and movement of water and enhance sustainability. We incorporate leading-edge digital transformation to create more resilient and reliable solutions using data analytics to provide powerful insights.