Senior Estimator

Phoenix ME Limited.; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Phoenix ME Limited is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead the end-to-end tendering process for allocated M&E projects in the Greater London area. You will manage cost build-ups, pricing strategies and bid negotiations, coordinating with internal teams to reflect technical and commercial requirements.

The role requires substantial estimating experience, strong commercial acumen and the ability to mentor junior staff while delivering robust, auditable tender outputs.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in an estimating role within the M&E sector.
• Proven ability to lead the estimating process on complex and/or high-value projects.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of procurement and risk management.
• Experience in two-stage or negotiated tendering environments.
• Exposure to mentoring or supervising less experienced colleagues.
• Experience of value engineering opportunities, bid strategy development and risk mitigation.

Responsibilities

• Lead allocated tenders from initial enquiry through to final submission and handover.
• Prepare and validate detailed estimates, cost plans, and pricing schedules.
• Manage estimating resources and supply-chain enquiries.
• Escalate risks and propose mitigation measures for resolution.
• Ensure tender outputs comply with procedures and quality requirements.
• Assist with handover to Commercial and Project Delivery teams.

Skills

Estimating leadership

Tender strategy

Commercial awareness

Mentoring others

Tools

Trimble

Job description

The Senior Estimator is responsible for preparing accurate, competitive and commercially robust submissions for allocated tenders, supporting Phoenix ME in securing profitable and deliverable projects. The role holder will manage the day-to-day estimating activities for their allocated work, from receipt of the initial enquiry through to pricing, submission, post-tender negotiations and project handover. They will identify and provide recommendations regarding price, risk and tender strategy.

The Senior Estimator will coordinate supply-chain enquiries, undertake measurements, prepare detailed cost build-ups and work with internal departments to ensure the estimate reflects the project’s technical, commercial and operational requirements. The Senior Estimator will identify, mitigate and communicate production issues, material pricing decisions, commercial risks and approval matters for agreement. They will identify and provide recommendations regarding price, risk and tender strategy. The Senior Estimator will manage and provide day-to-day support to assigned staff.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Governance

• Lead allocated tenders from initial enquiry through to final submission and handover.
• Ensure tender documents are correctly received, checked and recorded.
• Establish the tender programme, key estimating deliverables, pricing strategy and team responsibilities.
• Prepare and validate detailed estimates, cost plans, preliminary requirements, labour strategies and pricing schedules.
• Complete pricing schedules, bills of quantities, cost plans, schedules of rates and estimating system inputs accurately and on time.
• Manage assigned estimating resources on a day to day basis.
• Manage supply-chain enquiries and ensure sufficient competitive quotation coverage is obtained.
• Lead tender review and preparation meetings and present clear pricing recommendations and outputs for agreement.
• Maintain an accurate and fully auditable record of tender calculations, quotations, decisions and revisions.
• Ensure estimates comply with Phoenix ME’s procedures, approval levels and quality requirements.
• Identify and assess technical, commercial, contractual, programme and supply-chain risks.
• Review design maturity, scope gaps, system interfaces, logistics and procurement constraints.
• Develop tender assumptions, requests for information, clarifications, exclusions, risk allowances and opportunity schedules.
• Produce value-engineering and alternative pricing proposals with the relevant internal teams.
• Review supplier and subcontractor capability, costs, lead times and delivery risk.
• Escalate material risks, technical issues and commercial concerns and suggest mitigation measures for resolution.
• Ensure authorised tender adjustments are accurately incorporated and recorded.

Delivery

• Take ownership of allocated tenders and manage the required estimating activities in accordance with the tender programme.
• Coordinate with Bid Support, Design, Commercial, Procurement and Operational teams throughout the tender.
• Ensure the estimate reflects design intent, buildability, programme requirements and Phoenix ME’s delivery strategy.
• Undertake accurate material take-offs and pricing in line with tender requirements.
• Attend settlement meetings, site visits, client meetings, tender interviews and post-tender negotiations where required.
• Manage responses to post-tender queries and maintain control of pricing revisions.
• Input to the presentation of clear and concise Tender Settlement information
• Assist with the handover of successful tenders to the Commercial and Project Delivery teams.
• Clearly communicate the agreed scope, costs, assumptions, risks, opportunities and supply-chain strategy.
• Support the preparation and quality check of the final estimating submission.

Future Readiness

• Monitor market pricing, labour availability, material movements, lead times and supply-chain performance.
• Input to improve cost libraries, benchmarking information, estimating tools and standard templates.
• Lead or contribute to post-tender reviews and implement relevant lessons learned.
• Mentor and support other staff.
• Promote knowledge sharing, consistent working practices and continuous improvement across the department.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Substantial experience in an estimating role within the M&E sector

Substantial experience in an estimating role within the M&E sector

X

Proven ability to lead the estimating process on complex and/or high-value projects

Proven ability to lead the estimating process on complex and/or high-value projects

X

Strong commercial awareness and understanding of procurement and risk management

Strong commercial awareness and understanding of procurement and risk management

X

Familiarity with Trimble or an equivalent estimating platform

Familiarity with Trimble or an equivalent estimating platform

X

Strong M&E Technical and Commercial Knowledge

Strong M&E Technical and Commercial Knowledge

X

Experience in two-stage or negotiated tendering environments

Experience in two-stage or negotiated tendering environments

X

Exposure to mentoring or supervising less experienced colleagues

Exposure to mentoring or supervising less experienced colleagues

X

Experience of value engineering opportunities, bid strategy development and risk mitigation.

Experience of value engineering opportunities, bid strategy development and risk mitigation.

X

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities.

OUR VALUES

• Embody boldness and ambition to exceed goals by setting high personal and professional standards
• Act with courage, voicing ideas or concerns with confidence while remaining resilient in the face of challenges
• Foster empowerment by creating an environment where everyone feels capable, trusted, and supported
• Promote innovation by sharing fresh ideas and new methods to drive continuous improvement
• Champion a culture of togetherness and inclusion by acting with mutual respect and integrity