Senior Estimator

OCS Recruitment Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

OCS is seeking an experienced Senior Estimator to strengthen its pre-construction and commercial function. You will lead tender preparation from enquiry through submission, working with pre-construction, commercial and operational teams.

You will review drawings, specs, procure quotations, develop procurement strategies and produce detailed tender breakdowns. The role involves negotiating with subcontractors, attending client meetings and managing multiple tenders.

Qualifications

• Proven experience estimating within groundworks, civils, RC frame or structural construction.
• Strong knowledge of construction methods, materials and sequencing.
• Experience pricing projects from initial enquiry through to contract award.
• Excellent understanding of subcontractor and supply-chain procurement.
• Strong commercial awareness and attention to detail.
• Excellent numerical and analytical skills.
• Strong negotiation and communication abilities.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications and technical documentation.
• Experience working on projects ranging from several million pounds upwards.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with operational and commercial teams.

Responsibilities

• Leading the preparation of tenders from enquiry through to submission.
• Reviewing tender documentation, drawings, specifications and scopes of work.
• Preparing detailed and accurate cost estimates.
• Obtaining and analysing subcontractor and supplier quotations.
• Developing project-specific procurement strategies.
• Identifying commercial and value-engineering opportunities.
• Producing detailed tender breakdowns and pricing documentation.
• Reviewing construction methodologies and identifying efficient solutions.
• Attending tender interviews and client meetings.
• Managing multiple tenders simultaneously and handing over successful tenders to delivery teams.

Skills

Tendering

Cost estimation

Subcontractor procurement

Negotiation

Tender strategy

Data analysis

Communication

Reading drawings

Team collaboration

Post-tender support

Job description

OCS are currently working with an established and rapidly developing construction business specialising in groundworks, civil engineering, reinforced concrete sub- and superstructures, structural alterations and hard landscaping.

Due to continued growth and a strong pipeline of opportunities, they are looking to appoint an experienced Senior Estimator to strengthen their pre-construction and commercial function.

The Role

As Senior Estimator, you will play a key role in securing new work and supporting the company's continued growth. Working closely with the pre-construction, commercial and operational teams, you will be responsible for developing competitive and commercially robust tenders across a range of specialist construction packages.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the preparation of tenders from enquiry through to submission
• Reviewing tender documentation, drawings, specifications and scopes of work
• Preparing detailed and accurate cost estimates
• Obtaining and analysing subcontractor and supplier quotations
• Developing project-specific procurement strategies
• Identifying commercial and value-engineering opportunities
• Producing detailed tender breakdowns and pricing documentation
• Reviewing construction methodologies and identifying efficient solutions
• Working closely with the operational team to develop buildable and competitive proposals
• Attending tender interviews and client meetings
• Supporting negotiations and post-tender clarifications
• Managing multiple tenders simultaneously
• Maintaining strong relationships with subcontractors and suppliers
• Monitoring market conditions, labour costs, materials and supply-chain pricing
• Supporting the handover of successful tenders to the project delivery team

Ideally, you will have:

• Proven experience estimating within groundworks, civils, RC frame or structural construction
• Strong knowledge of construction methods, materials and sequencing
• Experience pricing projects from initial enquiry through to contract award
• Excellent understanding of subcontractor and supply-chain procurement
• Strong commercial awareness and attention to detail
• Excellent numerical and analytical skills
• Strong negotiation and communication abilities
• The ability to interpret drawings, specifications and technical documentation
• Experience working on projects ranging from several million pounds upwards
• The ability to work independently while collaborating closely with operational and commercial teams
• A proactive approach to identifying opportunities and developing competitive tenders

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• This is an excellent opportunity to join a business that has developed significant expertise across groundworks, civils and reinforced concrete construction, while continuing to expand its presence across the UK and Europe.
• The company's project portfolio includes major residential and commercial developments, as well as a growing presence in the data-centre sector. Recent and current projects include data-centre schemes in the Netherlands and Denmark, alongside major UK RC frame and groundworks projects.
• The scale and complexity of the work provides the successful Senior Estimator with the opportunity to price a diverse range of specialist construction projects rather than focusing on one particular type of scheme.
• The Opportunity For the right Senior Estimator, this is an opportunity to join a business with an ambitious growth strategy and a strong project pipeline, while playing a key role in winning the work that will underpin its continued expansion