Senior Estimator

Morgan Sindall Infrastructure; Motherwell; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday entitlement

Flexible working

Contributory pension scheme

Annual bonus scheme

Car scheme

Private Medical Insurance

Share-save scheme

Discounts - cycle to work and gym

Job summary

Morgan Sindall Infrastructure is recruiting a Senior Estimator to lead major electricity transmission and distribution estimates across Scotland. You will own complex submissions, influence pricing strategies, and collaborate with engineering, planning and commercial teams to secure critical infrastructure projects that support the UK's energy future.

You will mentor estimating colleagues, drive improvements in estimating standards and data, and manage multiple bids while ensuring governance and

Qualifications

• Experience leading estimates for electricity transmission and distribution projects or energy infrastructure.
• Experience delivering complex estimates from scope review through tender settlement and handover.
• Strong first principles estimating capability and resource-based cost models.
• Ability to develop and implement effective tender pricing strategies.
• Experience coordinating inputs within challenging programme timescales.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and delivery of accurate, competitive estimates and framework submissions.
• Develop and communicate tender pricing strategies aligned with project objectives.
• Review tender documentation and drawings to establish scope and pricing.
• Prepare first principles estimates, cost plans and benchmarking exercises.
• Coordinate inputs from engineering, planning, procurement, commercial and delivery teams.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to estimators and team members.
• Lead multiple bids and submissions while maintaining quality and programme requirements.

Skills

First principles estimating

Tender strategies

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Presentation skills

Education

Degree in Construction/Engineering

Tools

Excel

Conquest

Job description

Motherwell, Scotland, UK

Talented people are the key to our success.

Would you like to work for an inclusive and collaborative company that is one of the most successful within the UK infrastructure industry?

We are looking for a motivated and ambitious Senior Estimator to join our Energy Scotland Transmission & Distribution team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in the successful delivery of major electricity transmission and distribution projects across Scotland.

Supporting both framework opportunities and competitive tenders, you will take ownership of complex submissions from early contractor involvement and tender development through to commercial settlement and delivery handover. Working closely with engineering, planning, procurement, commercial and delivery teams, you will shape pricing strategies, influence key commercial decisions and help secure critical infrastructure projects that support the UK's energy future.

This role offers the opportunity to lead major estimates, engage directly with clients, mentor estimating colleagues and contribute to the continuous improvement of estimating standards, processes and cost data across the business.

Role Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and delivery of accurate, competitive and fully substantiated estimates and framework submissions.


• Develop and communicate tender pricing strategies aligned with project objectives and business requirements.


• Review tender documentation, drawings and specifications to establish scope, identify risks and ensure pricing completeness.


• Prepare and review detailed first principles estimates, cost plans and benchmarking exercises.


• Coordinate and challenge inputs from engineering, planning, procurement, commercial and delivery teams.


• Assess supplier and subcontractor proposals to identify value opportunities and ensure robust pricing assumptions.


• Maintain comprehensive records of assumptions, exclusions, risks and opportunities throughout the estimating process.


• Ensure compliance with estimating governance, procedures and approval requirements.


• Present estimates and pricing strategies at internal reviews and approval meetings.


• Support client presentations, commercial discussions and tender negotiations.


• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to estimators and other members of the estimating team.


• Lead multiple concurrent submissions while maintaining quality and programme requirements.


• Capture tender outcomes and lessons learned to support continuous improvement.


• Prepare detailed and effective handover information for project delivery teams.


• Contribute to the development of cost databases, benchmarks, estimating methodologies and best practice processes.

Essential Requirements

Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• Experience leading estimates for electricity transmission and distribution projects, substations, energy infrastructure or associated civil engineering works.


• Experience delivering complex estimates from initial scope review through to tender settlement and delivery handover.


• Strong first principles estimating capability and experience preparing resource-based cost models.


• Ability to develop and implement effective tender pricing strategies.


• Experience assessing quantities, productivity assumptions, construction methodologies and supply chain quotations.


• Ability to identify and manage project risks, opportunities and scope uncertainty.


• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary technical and commercial inputs within challenging programme timescales.


• Strong understanding of construction sequencing, resource requirements and key project cost drivers.


• Ability to present, defend and justify estimates during internal reviews and client-facing discussions.


• Experience managing multiple bids and submissions simultaneously.


• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency in Conquest or equivalent estimating software.


• Strong understanding of NEC4 contracts, target cost development and the management of assumptions, exclusions, risks and opportunities.


• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and leadership skills.

Technical Knowledge

Candidates should have strong technical knowledge in one or more of the following areas:

Electrical Transmission & Distribution

• Electrical substation mechanical and electrical installation works.


• Substation plant installation.


• Earthing systems.


• Cable installation and terminations.


• Testing and commissioning interfaces.


• Construction methodologies, resource requirements and productivity factors associated with power infrastructure projects.

Civil Engineering Infrastructure

• Earthworks and ground engineering.


• Foundations and reinforced concrete structures.


• Drainage systems.


• Cable trenches and duct installations.


• Temporary works and associated infrastructure.


• Construction sequencing, productivity analysis and package integration.

In addition, candidates should have the ability to assess interfaces between civil and electrical works, identify omissions or duplication within project scope, and account for operational constraints, access requirements and construction risks.

Desirable Requirements

• Degree qualification in Construction, Engineering, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline.


• Membership of ACostE or another relevant professional body.


• Experience working on electricity transmission and distribution frameworks and major infrastructure programmes.


• Familiarity with utility clients and transmission network operators.


• Experience of early contractor involvement (ECI) and two-stage procurement processes.


• Experience developing price books and benchmarking data.


• Experience reconciling estimates against project outturn costs.


• Experience improving estimating procedures, systems and governance.


• Experience mentoring, coaching and developing estimating professionals.


• Experience supporting client cost reviews and commercial negotiations.

What is in it for you?

• Generous holiday entitlement with the option to buy five days.


• Flexible and adaptable working.


• Family friendly policies and work/life approach.


• Mentoring programmes and continuous learning support.


• Contributory pension scheme.


• Annual bonus scheme.


• Recognition scheme and long service awards.


• Car scheme and Private Medical Insurance (if applicable to role).


• We also provide the option to participate in our share-save scheme; discounts including cycle to work and gym membership; a support and advice service for colleagues and their families, and more.

About The Energy Business Unit

We have extensive experience in upgrading and replacing energy networks, delivering asset management for major UK energy companies and network operators.

Our transmission and distribution services involve the upgrading and replacement of electricity assets both above and below ground. Within the electricity sector we install and maintain assets, including excavation, laying, and jointing of cables, (fluid filled and XLPe), substations and overhead line, new build, repair, and refurbishment services.

We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team where you will have the opportunity to progress in your career. We are looking for people who share our passion on delivering great customer service whilst also being able to work within an enjoyable and hardworking team environment. Talented people are the key to our success.

Morgan Sindall is an equal opportunities employer and has been accredited with the Positive About Disabled People ‘Two Ticks’ accreditation. We are also an Investors in People company.

Morgan Sindall is unable to employ anyone who does not have the legal right to live and work in the UK.