Senior Estimator

Kenton Black; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Kenton Black is seeking an experienced Senior Estimator for a Birmingham-based civil engineering contractor. The role covers tendering, pre-construction and value engineering across highways, infrastructure and public realm projects.

You will lead tender estimates, coordinate with planners, commercial and operations teams, and mentor junior estimators while building strong client and supplier relationships in the Midlands.

Qualifications

• Experience leading tender estimates for civil engineering projects.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications and contract documents.
• Strong commercial awareness to identify risks and opportunities.
• Experience with highways, infrastructure, or public realm projects.
• Collaborative, proactive approach to pre-construction and tendering.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage tender estimates from initial enquiry through to final submission.
• Review tender documentation, specifications, drawings and employer requirements.
• Produce detailed cost estimates, including labour, plant, materials, subcontract packages and preliminaries.
• Obtain and analyse quotations from subcontractors and suppliers.
• Identify risks, opportunities and value engineering solutions throughout the tender process.
• Develop competitive pricing strategies and robust cost submissions.
• Work closely with operational, commercial and planning teams to develop construction methodologies and tender programmes.
• Attend tender adjudications and contribute to bid and pre-construction strategy.
• Support Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and pre-construction activities where required.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, subcontractors and supply chain partners.
• Mentor and support junior estimators within the team.

Skills

Tender pricing

Subcontractor procurement

Contract documentation interpretation

Stakeholder management

Pre-construction collaboration

Job description

We are recruiting for an experienced Senior Estimator to join a well-established and highly regarded civil engineering contractor based in Birmingham.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded estimator to play a key role within a busy and growing Pre-Construction team, working on a diverse portfolio of highways, infrastructure, public realm and civil engineering projects.

The successful candidate will be involved throughout the tender and pre-construction process, taking responsibility for producing accurate and competitive estimates while working closely with planners, commercial teams, operational teams and the wider supply chain.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the preparation of tender estimates from initial enquiry through to final submission.
• Review tender documentation, specifications, drawings and employer requirements.
• Produce detailed cost estimates, including labour, plant, materials, subcontract packages and preliminaries.
• Obtain and analyse quotations from subcontractors and suppliers.
• Identify risks, opportunities and value engineering solutions throughout the tender process.
• Develop competitive pricing strategies and robust cost submissions.
• Work closely with operational, commercial and planning teams to develop construction methodologies and tender programmes.
• Attend tender adjudications and contribute to bid and pre-construction strategy.
• Support Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and pre-construction activities where required.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, subcontractors and supply chain partners.
• Mentor and support junior estimators within the team.

About You

• Previous experience as a Senior Estimator or Estimator within civil engineering.
• Strong experience pricing highways, infrastructure, public realm, S278 and/or general civils projects.
• A strong understanding of construction methodologies, procurement and estimating processes.
• Experience working on competitive tenders and negotiated opportunities.
• The ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications and contract documentation.
• Strong knowledge of subcontractor and supplier procurement.
• Excellent commercial awareness with the ability to identify risks and opportunities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive and collaborative approach to pre-construction and tendering.

Why Apply?

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a successful Birmingham-based civil engineering contractor with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality infrastructure and highways schemes.

You will be joining an experienced Pre-Construction team and will have the opportunity to work on a varied portfolio of projects across the Midlands and beyond, with genuine opportunities to influence tender strategy, add value during pre-construction and contribute to the continued growth of the business.