Rail Estimating Lead — Network Rail Expert

Carrington West; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Benefits

Job summary

Carrington West is recruiting a Lead Estimator to head the UK estimating function for rail infrastructure. You will lead an established team of around 10 estimators, ensuring quality, consistency and technical direction across pre-contract activities.

The role targets senior leadership with strong Network Rail knowledge, offering ownership, influence and long-term scope within a hybrid London setting.

Qualifications

• Significant rail infrastructure estimating experience (≈10+ years).
• Substantial Network Rail exposure through consultancy or contractor roles.
• Experience in a consultancy environment.
• Established leadership and line management of an estimating team.
• Strong pre-contract work: cost planning, estimating, tendering, bidding, client sign-off.
• Excellent technical estimating knowledge: rate build-ups, methodologies, QA.
• Experience with NEC contracts or Network Rail contracts.
• Familiarity with CostX and related estimating software.
• Strong client-facing and stakeholder management to influence senior stakeholders.
• Ability to own and develop an established estimating function.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of ~10 estimators, providing technical oversight and direction.
• Ensure quality, accuracy, and consistency of estimating outputs.
• Support bids and tenders and maintain client relationships.
• Understand Network Rail processes, commercial environment, and expectations.
• Drive improvements in performance, quality and consistency of outputs.

Skills

Rail estimating

Pre-contract estimating

Leadership

Line management

Client/stakeholder management

NEC contracts

Cost planning

CostX

Bid support

Education

MRICS (desirable)

Tools

CostX

Job description

Carrington West is recruiting a Lead Estimator to head the UK estimating function for rail infrastructure. You will lead an established team of around 10 estimators, ensuring quality, consistency and technical direction across pre-contract activities.

The role targets senior leadership with strong Network Rail knowledge, offering ownership, influence and long-term scope within a hybrid London setting.