Senior Estimator

Balfour Beatty plc; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Balfour Beatty plc is seeking a Senior Estimator to join our Power Transmission & Distribution team in the UK. The role focuses on estimating civil works for Substations, OHL, and cables up to 400kV for SSE and National Grid, within BB governance and pricing processes. It offers career growth as part of UK grid upgrades.

You will develop pricing strategies, support bid requirements, and collaborate with Design, Procurement and Operations. Hybrid working 2–3 days a week.

Qualifications

• Ability to read drawings.
• Understand first principles take-off & rate production.
• Understanding of risk and design maturity.
• Familiarity with measurement methods CESMM/SMM/NRM.
• Familiarity with the Energy sector (advantage).
• Understanding of Risk & Opportunity analysis.
• Good financial acumen with data analysis.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Team player who liaises with support functions.
• Willingness to be trained in CANDY estimating software.
• Hybrid working arrangement - BB office 2 or 3 times per week.

Responsibilities

• Develop Pricing Strategy with Estimating Manager.
• Support Lead Estimator with bid requirements.
• Attend bid meetings (strategy, pre-bid, kick-off, site visits, risk workshop, supplier meetings, price reviews, programme reviews).
• Ensure estimates comply with bid governance.
• Understand technical & commercial project requirements.
• Prepare accurate and competitive estimates.
• Liaise with Design, Procurement, Operations, etc.
• Evaluate and benchmark supplier/subcontractor quotations.
• Ensure estimate aligns with detailed programme.
• Costing of project risks & opportunities.
• Lead internal civil pricing reviews.
• Benchmark prices against similar projects (Tendered & Actual).
• Assist Lead Estimator with handover to commercial, operational, procurement, finance.
• Visit project teams/sites for lessons learned and cost feedback.

Skills

Read drawings

First-principles take-off

Risk & design maturity

Estimation methods CESMM/SMM/NRM

Energy sector familiarity

Risk & opportunity analysis

Financial acumen

Oral & written comms

Team player

CANDY software

Hybrid work

Tools

CANDY estimating software

Job description

About the role

Balfour Beatty has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Estimator to join our Power Transmission & Distribution business. The candidate will primarily be focussed estimating team, supporting with estimating on civil works associated with Substations, Overhead Line and Cable projects up to 400kV, for SSE and National Grid, but may will be required to work on other workstreams associated with Power T&D's client portfolio. Balfour Beatty is the market leader in delivering large projects and has entered a period of unprecedented growth. This critical role will ensure that we submit robust estimates in accordance with the BB estimating processes and BB governance for some of the largest upgrades to the Grid that the UK has seen. In return, it offers the individual fantastic career prospects as we play a major role in helping the UK achieve Net Zero.

What you'll be doing

Develop Pricing Strategy with Estimating Manager.

• Support Lead Estimator with bid requirements.
• Attend bid meetings such as strategy meeting, pre bid meeting, kick off meeting, site visits, weekly meeting, risk workshop, supplier / subcontractor meetings, pricing reviews, programme reviews etc
• Ensure estimates in accordance with bid governance process
• Understand Technical & Commercial project requirements
• Prepare accurate and competitive estimates
• Liaise with internal departments including Design, Procurement, Operations etc.
• Evaluate and benchmark all supplier and subcontractor quotations
• Ensure estimate is aligned to detailed programme
• Costing of project risks & opportunities
• Lead internal civil pricing reviews
• Benchmark Price against similar projects (Tendered & Actual)
• Support Lead Estimator in Ensuring hand over from estimating to commercial, operational, procurement, finance functions for all contract wins through the contract hand over and start up process
• Liaise with Project Teams / visit site for lessons learned and actual cost feedback

Who we're looking for

• Ability to read drawings
• Understanding first principles taking off & rate production
• Understanding of risk and design maturity
• Familiarity with established methods of measurement, CESMM / SMM / NRM
• Familiarity with the Energy sector (advantage)
• Understanding of Risk & Opportunity analysis
• Good financial acumen with an ability to analyse data and documentation accurately
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Team Player who can liaise with support functions
• Working unsociable hours, on occasion
• Will be trained in CANDY estimating software
• Hybrid working arrangement - BB office 2 or 3 times per week

Why work for us

We don't just build infrastructure – we build careers. Join us and enjoy:

• Competitive Salary and bonus opportunities
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
• Company car or car allowance
• Up to 7% employer pension contribution
• Professional fees paid and clear pathways to chartership
• Smart working with up to 40% remote flexibility
• Life assurance, EAP, and family-friendly policies
• Opportunities to volunteer and make a real difference
• Training & development with access to industry-leading tools and qualifications

About us

Balfour Beatty is a global leader in infrastructure delivery, known for solving complex challenges through innovation, collaboration and technical excellence. In our Power T&D business, we’re proud to be shaping a more sustainable, connected, and secure energy future.

We work across the entire energy grid – from overhead lines and substations to underground cabling and renewables – supporting the delivery of some of the UK's most ambitious energy programmes.

Diversity & Inclusion

We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels included, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, and we’re proud to be recognised for our work in equality and inclusion.