Senior Estimator

Skilled Careers; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Skilled Careers is seeking a Senior Estimator in a Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire office-based role with flexible working. You will lead competitive tenders from enquiry to submission, analyse drawings and specs, and develop detailed cost plans.

You will collaborate with pre-construction, commercial and operational teams on projects ranging from £1m to £25m, including new build and refurbishment. The role offers exposure to education, retail and other sectors, with a growing pipeline and clear

Qualifications

• Senior Estimator or experienced Estimator ready to step up.
• Background working for a main contractor.
• Experience pricing both new build and refurbishment projects.
• Strong knowledge of construction methods and procurement routes.
• Excellent commercial awareness and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple tenders simultaneously.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in education, healthcare, industrial or retail sectors advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of competitive tenders from enquiry to submission.
• Analyse drawings, specifications and tender documentation.
• Prepare detailed cost plans and estimates.
• Obtain and assess subcontractor and supplier quotations.
• Identify value engineering opportunities and commercial risks.
• Work collaboratively with design, commercial and operational teams during pre-construction.
• Attend client meetings, tender interviews and internal bid reviews.
• Support junior members of the estimating team where required.

Skills

Tendering

Cost planning

Subcontractor management

Value engineering

Stakeholder management

Tender strategy

Job description

Location: Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire (Office-based with flexible working)

Are you an experienced Estimator looking to join a well-established regional main contractor with an excellent reputation for delivering high-quality projects across the Home Counties and London?

Due to continued growth and a strong pipeline of secured and negotiated work, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Estimator to join an established pre-construction team based from either Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire.

Working alongside a team of four experienced estimators and reporting directly to the Pre-Construction Director, you'll play a key role in securing a diverse range of projects from initial enquiry through to tender submission.

The Role

You will be responsible for leading and preparing competitive tenders across a variety of sectors, managing the estimating process from first principles through to final submission, while working closely with the wider pre-construction, commercial and operational teams.

Projects range from £1 million to £25 million and include both new build and refurbishment schemes.

Sectors

• Education
• Retail

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of competitive tenders from enquiry to submission.
• Analyse drawings, specifications and tender documentation.
• Prepare detailed cost plans and estimates.
• Obtain and assess subcontractor and supplier quotations.
• Identify value engineering opportunities and commercial risks.
• Work collaboratively with design, commercial and operational teams during pre-construction.
• Attend client meetings, tender interviews and internal bid reviews.
• Support junior members of the estimating team where required.

About You

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience as a Senior Estimator or an experienced Estimator ready to step up.
• A background working for a main contractor.
• Experience pricing both new build and refurbishment projects.
• Strong knowledge of construction methods and procurement routes.
• Excellent commercial awareness and attention to detail.
• The ability to manage multiple tenders simultaneously.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Experience within one or more of the education, healthcare, industrial or retail sectors would be advantageous.

What\'s on Offer?

• Attractive benefits package.
• Opportunity to work from either Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire.
• Join an experienced and collaborative team of four estimators.
• Report directly to an experienced Pre-Construction Director.
• Work on a varied portfolio of high-quality projects valued up to £25 million.
• Genuine long-term career progression within a financially secure and growing contractor.
• If you\'re looking for a role where your experience will be valued, your ideas will influence bid strategy, and you\'ll have the opportunity to work on a varied portfolio of exciting construction projects, we\'d love to hear from you.