Senior Estimator

Fortiva; Manchester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

26 days holiday

Pension scheme

Private healthcare

Wellbeing support

Eye care vouchers

Employee assistance programme

Flexible working

Social activities

Online retailer discounts

Free parking

Job summary

Fortiva is seeking a Senior Estimator based in Bolton to shape cost plans and competitive tenders for new-build affordable housing schemes. You will manage take-offs, cost data, and procurement strategies, while collaborating with land and development colleagues to support feasibility and PCSA processes.

You will lead two-stage tenders, provide input on programmes and buildability, and mentor junior estimators in a well-established, family-owned contractor environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar estimating role with knowledge of MMC and methods.
• Full UK driving licence and collaborative approach; ability to work with juniors.
• Experience with Conquest or similar estimating software; training provided.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed estimates, budget costs, cost plans and tender submissions for new-build housing.
• Assess tender risks and opportunities; apply value engineering in bids.
• Manage subcontractor and material enquiries and perform quantity take-offs.
• Contribute to land appraisals, feasibility assessments, and PCSA processes.
• Explain pricing bases in internal adjudications and client meetings; guide junior estimators.

Skills

Estimating

MMC methods

Take-off quantities

Conquest software

Team mentorship

UK driving licence

Tools

Conquest software

Job description

Senior Estimator Bolton

Office Based Competitive Salary plus Car Allowance and Benefits

• Would you like to shape the cost and viability of affordable housing developments, from early feasibility through to contract award?
• Can you bring estimating experience and commercial judgement to new-build and planned maintenance residential tenders, identifying risks, opportunities and practical alternatives?
• Are you looking for an Estimator / Senior Estimator role with a well-established, family-owned contractor and developer with a strong pipeline of schemes?

Introduction

An opportunity has arisen with our client for a Senior Estimator to join its North West Housing Partnerships department, based at its Bolton office.

Supporting affordable housing developments for housing associations and public sector partners, you will help turn early proposals into robust, competitive tender submissions. The role offers involvement across feasibility, cost planning and procurement, with scope to apply your judgement to both pricing and buildability.

The Role

You will prepare detailed estimates, budget costs, cost plans and tender submissions for new-build housing schemes. Assessing each tender s risks and opportunities, you will take a proactive approach to value engineering, developing alternative solutions alongside compliant bids.

Day to day, you will manage subcontractor and material enquiries, take off quantities and use appropriate cost data to build accurate estimates. You will also maintain benchmark information and build rates to support consistent, informed pricing.

Working alongside land and development colleagues, you will contribute to land appraisals and feasibility assessments. You will support two-stage tenders and pre-construction services agreement (PCSA) processes, progressively pricing packages and providing input on programmes, procurement strategies and buildability.

You will attend internal adjudications and client meetings, explain the basis of your pricing and help guide junior members of the estimating team.

Candidate Requirements

• You will bring previous experience in a similar estimating role, knowledge of different construction methods, including modern methods of construction (MMC), and the ability to take off quantities to SMM7 / NRM2.
• A good standard of mathematical ability, a full UK driving licence and a collaborative approach are required. You should be comfortable using your own initiative while supporting colleagues and sharing your knowledge with junior estimators.
• Experience with Conquest or a similar estimating system would be useful, but is not essential, as training will be provided.

Benefits

• The package includes a competitive salary and car allowance, 26 days holiday, a pension scheme, free parking and private healthcare.
• Professional development and training opportunities are complemented by free wellbeing support, including eye care vouchers, occupational health and an employee assistance programme.
• Flexible working, social activities and online retailer discounts are also included.
• The role is based at the Bolton office.

About the Client

Our client is a well-established, family-owned contractor and developer specialising in affordable housing for housing associations and public sector partners. A strong pipeline of new-build residential schemes is supporting this appointment within its North West Housing Partnerships department.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.