Senior Estimator

Apple Technical Recruitment (UK) Limited; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Electric car salary sacrifice

Holiday allowance

Performance bonus

Pension

Job summary

Unknown is seeking a Senior Estimator to join the Pre-Construction team in Cambridge. The role involves managing cost plans and pricing for single and two-stage tenders, with BOQs, take-offs and target cost reporting.

You will contribute to bid strategy, lead reviews, and secure regional work, while supporting pre-construction activities including procurement and deeds of appointment.

Qualifications

• Experience as an Estimator in a Main Contractor environment.
• Proven ability to produce BOQs, take-offs and full cost plans.
• Strong commercial awareness and value engineering sense.

Responsibilities

• Produce BOQ's, take offs, full cost plans and target cost reporting for single/two-stage tenders.
• Lead bid reviews and drive competitive strategy to win regional work.
• Occasional pre-construction surveying duties including deed of appointment and procurement.

Education

Degree or HNC or NVQ in Construction related subject or comparable

Tools

Conquest software

Job description

Vacancy Summary

Job Title: Senior Estimator

Job Type: Permanent

Job Ref: #1466

Location: Cambridgeshire (Office on outskirts of Cambridge with parking)

Start Date: Dec 2026 onwards to suit applicants notice period

Salary: £75k-£80k basic salary + excellent benefits package including:

• Car Allowance including option for salary sacrifice electric car scheme
• Market leading holiday allowance
• Performance bonus
• Pension

Company & Project

An award winning privately owned Main Contractor who have a track record delivering New Build and Refurbishment projects between c£5m-£30m across Commercial, Higher Education, Healthcare, Blue Light, Education and Residential sectors are looking to recruit a Senior Estimator to join their Pre Construction team in Cambridge. This position involves working closely with senior leadership and directors with great exposure to the growth of the regional office.

Our client has a busy order book already secured for 2027 and they are continuing to be strategic in targeting new business, offering a stable environment backed by decades of winning and delivering projects in the East.

The Main Contractor is an innovative and growing business, offering a collaborative culture and genuine room for long-term career progression as the Pre-Construction division expands.

They are recognised for their long term success delivering projects secured from both framework 2-stage tenders (regional and national frameworks) in addition to securing projects from single stage tenders in the local area.

Duties & Responsibilities

The successful candidate will take responsibility for managing the cost plans and pricing of single stage tenders and two stage tenders in the main under JCT & NEC forms of contract and typically c£5m-£20m in value.

You will produce BOQ's, take offs, full cost plans and target cost reporting with occasional pre con surveying duties including deed of appointment and procurement, playing a central role in driving competitive strategy, leading bid reviews, and securing key regional work.

Desirable Experience

• Experience as an Estimator at a Main Contractor.
• Minimum of 5-7 years+ experience in pure Estimating roles.
• Established relationships within the local sub-contractor network across East Anglia/Cambridgeshire would be advantageous but not essential.
• Good knowledge of Conquest estimating software would be advantageous, alongside a strong commercial awareness of value engineering.
• Previous Roles: Senior Estimator OR Estimator OR Principal Estimator.

Qualifications & Skills

• Degree or HNC or NVQ in Construction related subject or comparable.
• and Conquest software experience.