Senior Cost Planner /Estimator

MoveATech; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A global consultancy is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Planner / Estimator for an initial 6-month contract in London. The role involves leading all cost planning activities, managing bids, and ensuring compliance with governance standards in the construction sector. Ideal candidates should have a strong background in cost estimating, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work independently. This position offers competitive contract engagement, with an opportunity for extension depending on project needs.

Benefits

Opportunity to work on high-profile projects

Immediate impact role with significant responsibility

Qualifications

• Strong background in cost planning and external bid estimating.
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence decisions.
• Proven experience within the construction sector.

Responsibilities

• Lead all cost planning and estimating activities.
• Prepare and manage cost plans at various stages.
• Coordinate all aspects of bids and financial inputs.

Skills

Proven experience as a Senior Cost Planner / Estimator

Strong background in external bid estimating

Confident communicator

Strong commercial awareness

Tools

Cost planning software

Job description

Senior Cost Planner / Estimator (Contract – 6 Months)

Location: London (40% office based and home working)

Contract Type: Initial 6-month engagement

Sector: General Construction

MoveATech are working with a global consultancy and we are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Planner / Estimator to support one of our major clients on a contract basis. This is a London-based role, initially for 6 months, working on general construction projects and playing a key role in cost planning, estimating, and bid delivery from early feasibility through to contract commitment.

The Role

Reporting into the Cost Planning and Commercial Leads, you will take full accountability for all cost planning and estimating activities, working closely with internal teams, external consultants, and clients throughout the project lifecycle.

You will be heavily involved in external bid estimating, supporting projects from inception and feasibility stage through to Leadership Team and Commitment Reviews, ensuring full compliance with internal governance and approval processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all cost planning and estimating activities from Development Brief through to Contract Price
• Prepare and manage cost plans at various RIBA stages, including commentary and supporting documentation
• Coordinate all aspects of bids, including preliminaries, fees, value engineering, and cost plan submissions
• Take ownership of all financial inputs, reviewing and validating data from multi-disciplinary teams
• Support bid and project teams with conversion strategies, risk evaluation, and commercial analysis
• Secure and analyse market prices for trade packages in collaboration with commercial teams
• Participate in and evaluate value engineering solutions
• Manage cost planning inputs alongside Project Management, Procurement, Design, Planning, Legal, Insurance, and Construction teams
• Produce documentation for Management, Business Unit, and Commitment Reviews in line with governance requirements
• Prepare cost planning tender documentation and preliminaries for first and second stage bids
• Capture and analyse cost data for benchmarking and forecasting
• Support change control and major variations during conversion and delivery
• Take off quantities from Concept Design through to RIBA Stage 4
• Present cost plans clearly and confidently at senior‑level reviews
• Ensure programmes and deliverables are met, proactively addressing any slippage
• Promote collaboration, clear communication, and a positive team environment

Health, Safety & Governance

• Actively contribute to safety and risk management processes, including Risk & Opportunity at Design (ROAD) and Principal Designer activities
• Support compliance with company Minimum Requirements and governance standards

About You

• Proven experience as a Senior Cost Planner / Estimator within the construction sector
• Strong background in external bid estimating and cost planning
• Able to work independently with full accountability for outputs
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of contract conditions
• Confident communicator, able to challenge constructively and influence decisions
• Experienced in using cost planning software and tools
• Ability to price from first principles (desirable but not essential)
• Sector expertise in one or more construction markets is advantageous

Why Apply?

• Opportunity to work with a major construction client on high‑profile projects
• Immediate impact role with significant responsibility

Competitive contract engagement with potential extension

Please forward your CV and we can discuss day rates. Adam at MoveATech is managing this role