Senior Estimator

Randstad CPE; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad CPE is seeking a Senior Estimator to join the Maidstone pre-construction team. You will lead pricing and commercial evaluation for Education, Healthcare, and Commercial sectors, managing bids from PQQ through to contract award.

You will evaluate drawings, specifications, and documentation, and prepare detailed tender packages with robust cost plans. A background in regional or national contracting and proficiency with Causeway/CostX is desirable.

Qualifications

• Lead the preparation of first-principles, analytical estimates, cost plans, and competitive tenders for schemes typically valued between £3m and £25m+.
• Appraise tender documentation, employer's requirements, architectural drawings, and NBS specifications to evaluate scope, risk, and buildability.
• Prepare detailed sub-contract and materials enquiry packages; benchmark and rigorously assess supply chain quotations for compliance and scope coverage.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of first-principles estimates and competitive tenders.
• Appraise tender documents and drawings for scope and risk.
• Prepare subcontract and materials enquiries and benchmark quotations.
• Develop Value Engineering proposals to improve bid competitiveness.
• Prepare tender settlement papers and participate in client negotiations.
• Attend client presentations and mid-tender interviews.
• Support handover to site delivery and commercial teams; mentor junior estimators.

Skills

Tender pricing

Cost planning

Value engineering

Contract knowledge

MS Excel

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying

HNC in Construction

MCIOB/RICS (adv)

Tools

Causeway

Conquest

CostX

Job description

Senior Estimator to join our pre-construction team based out of our

Maidstone office.

Operating across Kent, the South East, and the Home Counties, you will lead the pricing and commercial evaluation of tenders across our core project sectors:

Education, Healthcare, and Commercial.

Whether tendering under standard procurement routes or regional public-sector frameworks, you will take ownership of bids from initial PQQ through to contract award, ensuring submissions are accurate, competitive, and commercially sound.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the preparation of first-principles, analytical estimates, cost plans, and competitive tenders for schemes typically valued between

£3m and £25m+

Appraise tender documentation, employer's requirements, architectural drawings, and NBS specifications to evaluate scope, risk, and buildability.

Prepare detailed sub-contract and materials enquiry packages; benchmark and rigorously assess supply chain quotations for compliance and scope coverage.

Formulate innovative

Value Engineering (VE) proposals and alternative construction methodologies to give our bids a competitive edge.

Prepare comprehensive tender settlement papers and lead adjudication reviews with Directors.

Attend client presentations, mid-tender interviews, and post-tender commercial negotiations.

Manage seamless project handovers to the site delivery and commercial surveying teams post-award.

Support and mentor junior and intermediate estimators within the Maidstone team.

What We're Looking For

Proven experience as an Estimator or Senior Estimator working for a

regional or national main contractor.

Demonstrated background pricing schemes across one or more of our key sectors:

Education: Primary/secondary schools, SEN schools, academy trusts, DfE framework projects, or higher education works.

Healthcare: NHS Trust capital works, community health centres, clinics, or refurbishment in live clinical environments.

Commercial: New-build offices, business parks, industrial units, or high-spec fit-outs.

Strong working knowledge of standard contract suites, particularly

JCT (Design & Build, Intermediate) and

NEC3/NEC4.

Familiarity with industry estimating software (e.g.,

Causeway, Conquest, CostX) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

Well-established understanding of local supply chain networks across Kent and the South East.

Degree/HNC in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or equivalent practical experience. MCIOB/RICS accreditation is advantageous.

Full UK driving licence (required for occasional site and client visits).

Randstad CPE values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.