Senior Estimator

Galliford Try; Manchester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday entitlement

Cycle to Work scheme

Private medical scheme

Comprehensive pension plan

Discounts and employee benefits

Job summary

Galliford Try is seeking a Senior Estimator based in Manchester to lead the bidding process from inception through submission. You will develop robust cost plans, perform first-principles estimating, and manage medium-sized tenders while supporting larger opportunities.

You will review documents, coordinate with subcontractors, evaluate quotations, and work closely with Design, Commercial, Planning, Procurement and Operations teams to drive value engineering and risk management across a diverse

Qualifications

• Proven experience preparing competitive tenders for major building or construction projects.
• Strong cost planning and estimating capabilities.
• Proficiency with estimation software and MS Office tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the estimating function on tender opportunities from inception to submission.
• Prepare detailed cost plans and undertake first-principles estimating.
• Own medium-sized tenders and support larger opportunities.
• Review tender docs, specs, drawings and employer requirements.
• Coordinate subcontractor and supplier enquiries and quotes.
• Analyse subcontract quotations for project alignment.
• Collaborate with Design, Commercial, Planning, Procurement and Operations teams.
• Support value engineering and DfMA initiatives.

Skills

Tendering experience

Cost planning

Estimating software

Commercial awareness

Stakeholder management

Communication

Organised

Self-motivated

Tools

Conquest estimating software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Senior Estimator – Manchester, United Kingdom

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Estimator to join our pre‑construction team based in Manchester, delivering projects across the North West.

Reporting to the Pre‑Construction Director, you will play a key role in securing future work by leading estimating activities, developing robust cost plans, and driving commercial excellence across a diverse portfolio of projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the estimating function on a range of tender opportunities from inception to submission.
• Prepare detailed cost plans and undertake analytical and first‑principles estimating.
• Take ownership of medium‑sized tenders and support larger, more complex opportunities.
• Review tender documentation, specifications, drawings and employer requirements.
• Manage and coordinate subcontractor and supplier enquiries.
• Analyse subcontract quotations and assess compliance with project requirements.
• Collaborate closely with Design, Commercial, Planning, Procurement and Operational teams throughout the bid process.
• Support the development of value engineering proposals and DfMA initiatives.
• Identify and evaluate commercial risks and opportunities.
• Prepare tender adjudication and settlement documentation.
• Contribute to bid strategy, qualifications, preliminaries, overheads and profit considerations.
• Maintain robust estimating procedures and governance standards.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the supply chain to optimise project outcomes.
• Utilise estimating software and digital tools to improve accuracy, consistency and efficiency.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience preparing competitive tenders for major building or construction projects.
• Strong understanding of procurement routes including: Single Stage Tendering, Two Stage Tendering, Design & Build, Framework Agreements, Negotiated Tenders.
• Experience working with a Tier 1 or leading regional contractor.
• Excellent commercial awareness and risk management skills.
• Strong cost planning and estimating capabilities.
• Proficiency in conquest estimating software and Microsoft Office applications.
• The ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications and contract documentation.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive, organised and self‑motivated approach.
• A full UK driving licence.

What We Can Offer in Return

With an impressive order book of over £4.3 billion, we are one of the industry’s leading principal contractors, affording you the opportunity to work on some of the UK’s most exciting projects, stability, growth and learning opportunities. We invest in high‑quality training, flexible working and support employee wellbeing.

Our Benefits

• Generous holiday entitlement, increasing with years of service, plus the opportunity to purchase additional holidays.
• A wide range of corporate discounts.
• Cycle to Work schemes.
• Comprehensive pension plan.
• Competitive family leave policy.
• Regular Save‑as‑You‑Earn share purchase scheme.
• Private medical scheme options and employee assistance programme with free 24/7 support.
• Paid yearly membership to one recognised professional association relevant to your role.

About Us

Our purpose is to improve people’s lives through building the facilities and infrastructure that communities need. We deliver excellence for our clients and the community, fostering a culture of integrity, collaboration and sustainability.

Contact

For more information on this role or to enquire about other positions within our Infrastructure business, please contact Jack Allford at [e-mail].

Additional Information

We welcome applications for full, part‑time or flexible arrangements. We encourage candidates who do not meet every requirement to apply; we value diverse experience. As a Disability Confident employer, we offer interview accommodations for candidates with long‑term health conditions or disabilities who meet the essential criteria.