Senior Estimator

Randstad NV; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad CPE is seeking a Senior Estimator for the Maidstone office to lead pricing and commercial evaluation of tenders across Education, Healthcare, and Commercial sectors, from PQQ to contract award, ensuring submissions are accurate and competitive.

The role requires expertise in first-principles estimates, cost plans, sub-contract and materials packages, and strong knowledge of JCT/NEC contracts, with experience in Kent and the South East and a full UK driving licence.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Estimator or Senior Estimator for regional or national main contractors.
• Experience pricing schemes across Education, Healthcare, or Commercial sectors.
• Strong knowledge of standard contract suites (JCT, NEC3/NEC4).
• Familiarity with estimating software and advanced Excel.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation of first-principles estimates and cost plans for schemes typically valued between £3m and £25m+.
• Appraise tender documentation and drawings to evaluate scope, risk and buildability.
• Prepare sub-contract and materials enquiry packages; assess supply chain quotations.
• Formulate Value Engineering proposals to gain a competitive edge.
• Lead tender settlement papers and conduct post-tender negotiations with Directors.

Skills

Estimating expertise

First principles costing

Analytical thinking

Bid leadership

Communication skills

Education

Degree/HNC in Quantity Surveying or Construction Management

MCIOB/RICS advantageous

Tools

Causeway

Conquest

CostX

Job description

Job Title: Senior Estimator

Location: Maidstone, Kent

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

About the Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced 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.