Senior Estimator

Foresight Search Ltd; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Benefits package

Job summary

Foresight Search Ltd is seeking a Managing Estimator to lead the estimating function from its Cardiff office. The role involves overseeing tender preparation, mentoring Estimators and collaborating with senior management to drive growth.

The ideal candidate will have extensive regional or national main contracting experience, with a proven track record of securing high-value projects and opportunities for value engineering. This is a full-time, office-based role in Cardiff.

Qualifications

• Significant estimating experience in main contracting
• Proven ability to lead and develop a estimating team
• Strong track record winning tenders £5m+ in value
• Experience with cladding replacement, refurbishment or similar
• Excellent cost planning and value engineering skills

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Estimators from Cardiff office
• Oversee preparation and submission of competitive tenders
• Manage resources, workloads and tender deadlines
• Review estimates, cost plans and tender submissions
• Conduct tender adjudications and risk assessments
• Build relationships with clients, consultants, suppliers
• Develop tender strategies to win new business

Skills

Leadership

Tendering

Estimating

Construction knowledge

Job description

Managing Estimator

Location: Cardiff

Salary: Up to £85,000 + Car Allowance + Package

Sector: Main Contracting | Cladding Replacement | Fit-Out | Refurbishment

Start Date: ASAP

Working Arrangement: Full-time, office-based in Cardiff

Managing Estimator - The Company

Our client is a highly successful, multi-regional main contractor with an established reputation across South Wales and the wider UK. The business delivers a diverse range of construction projects, typically valued between £1m and £15m, specialising in cladding replacement, commercial fit-out, refurbishment and general contracting.

With an excellent reputation in the industry, the company has experienced significant growth while maintaining a financially secure position and a strong pipeline of secured and upcoming projects.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Managing Estimator or Senior Estimator looking to take the next step into a leadership position within an ambitious, forward-thinking contractor.

Managing Estimator - The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Managing Estimator to lead and develop the estimating function from the company's Cardiff office.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for overseeing the preparation and submission of competitive tenders, managing a team of Estimators and working closely with senior management to support the company's continued growth.

This is a hands-on leadership position, combining strategic oversight of the tendering process with involvement in estimating, commercial decision-making and the development of the wider pre-construction team.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading, managing and developing a team of Estimators, providing technical guidance and support.
• Overseeing the preparation and submission of accurate, competitive tenders across multiple projects.
• Managing estimating resources, workloads and tender deadlines to ensure efficient delivery.
• Reviewing and approving estimates, cost plans and tender submissions.
• Taking a hands-on approach to estimating on larger or more complex tenders where required.
• Working closely with senior management to develop tender strategies and identify new business opportunities.
• Leading tender adjudications, commercial reviews and risk assessments.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, consultants, subcontractors and suppliers.
• Identifying opportunities for value engineering and improving tender competitiveness.
• Developing and improving estimating procedures, systems and best practices.
• Working closely with commercial and operational teams to ensure effective project handovers.

Managing Estimator - The Person

We are looking for an experienced construction Estimator with strong technical knowledge, commercial awareness and the ability to lead and develop a successful estimating team.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Significant estimating experience within a regional or national main contractor.
• Previous experience as a Managing Estimator, Estimating Manager or Senior Estimator with the ability to step into a leadership role.
• A strong track record of successfully tendering and securing construction projects valued at £5m or above.
• Excellent first-principles estimating skills and a thorough understanding of construction methodologies.
• Experience across refurbishment, fit-out or general construction projects.
• Previous experience estimating cladding replacement or building remediation projects would be highly advantageous.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor, motivate and develop other Estimators.
• Excellent commercial awareness, negotiation skills and the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• A proven ability to manage multiple tenders, prioritise workloads and consistently meet deadlines.
• Willingness to work full‑time from the Cardiff office.

Managing Estimator - The Reward

• Competitive salary of up to £85,000 depending on experience.
• Car allowance and comprehensive benefits package.
• Senior leadership position with significant autonomy and responsibility.
• Opportunity to shape and develop the estimating function.
• A varied portfolio of interesting and technically challenging projects.
• Strong pipeline of work with established clients.
• Excellent long-term career progression opportunities within a growing business.
• Opportunity to join a financially secure, ambitious and highly regarded contractor.