Senior Estimator

MK Consult; Ringway; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

33 days holiday

Pension scheme

Medicash scheme

Future shareholding

Supportive environment

Job summary

Mk Consult is seeking a Senior Estimator / Estimating Manager to lead the pre-construction estimating function in the North West. The role focuses on refurbishment and fit-out projects up to £5m, with live environment delivery across healthcare and education sectors.

You will own tenders from enquiry to handover, develop procurement strategies, and mentor junior estimators while shaping estimating processes and reporting to support growth plans.

Qualifications

• 10+ years estimating experience in construction.
• BSc/HNC in Quantity Surveying or related field.
• Experience in general contracting, refurbishment or fit-out.
• Experience pricing healthcare/education/public-sector projects would be advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of JCT and NEC contracts.
• Excellent cost estimating from first principles.
• Proficient in tender documentation.

Responsibilities

• Manage tenders from enquiry to submission and handover.
• Review tender docs and carry out site surveys for accurate data.
• Price direct works from first principles including labour, plant and materials.
• Analyse commercial risks and opportunities within tenders.
• Manage tender queries, RFIs and clarifications.
• Prepare bid settlements and tender adjudications.
• Mentor junior estimators and apprentices.
• Develop estimating systems and processes.
• Support resource planning and department succession.

Skills

Estimating experience

First-principles estimating

General contracting

Healthcare/education pricing

JCT/NEC contracts

Tender documentation

Excel

Mentoring team

Education

BSc / HNC in Quantity Surveying

Construction-related discipline

Tools

Excel

Job description

Senior Estimator / Estimating Manager

North West | Building Contractor | Refurbishment & Fit-Out

Projects up to £5m | Healthcare & Education

I'm working with an established North West building contractor looking to appoint an experienced Senior Estimator / Estimating Manager to join its pre-construction team.

The business delivers refurbishment and fit-out projects ranging from smaller works through to around £5m, predominantly across Healthcare, Education and other public-sector environments. Many schemes are delivered within live environments, with a growing workload secured through public-sector frameworks and repeat client relationships.

This is a senior position suited to somebody who can take ownership of tenders while also contributing to the development of the estimating function and wider pre-construction team.

The Role

• Managing tenders from initial enquiry through to final submission and handover
• Reviewing and interpreting tender documentation
• Carrying out site surveys and compiling accurate tender information
• Measurement and scheduling of construction works
• Preparing procurement strategies and tender programmes
• Obtaining and analysing subcontractor and supplier quotations
• Pricing direct works from first principles, including labour, plant and materials
• Identifying commercial risks and opportunities within tenders
• Managing tender queries, RFIs and clarifications
• Preparing for and attending bid settlements and tender adjudications
• Producing clear tender baselines and supporting documentation
• Ensuring an effective handover to the commercial and operational teams
• Building and maintaining strong supply-chain relationships
• Supporting framework opportunities and bid submissions where required
• Managing and mentoring junior estimators and apprentices
• Developing and improving estimating systems and processes
• Supporting resource, progression and succession planning within the department
• Working closely with the management team to support the business's longer-term growth plans

What We're Looking For

• Around 10+ years' estimating experience within the construction industry
• A BSc/HNC or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying or a construction-related discipline
• Strong experience within general contracting, refurbishment and/or fit-out
• Experience pricing projects within Healthcare, Education or public-sector environments would be advantageous
• Good working knowledge of JCT and NEC contracts
• Strong first-principles estimating capability
• Excellent understanding of construction tender documentation
• Strong Excel and general IT skills
• Experience managing or mentoring other members of an estimating team
• Excellent commercial awareness with the ability to identify both risk and opportunity
• Strong communication, negotiation and organisational skills
• Full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel across the North West

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity to join a close-knit contractor that places real emphasis on quality, collaboration and long-term relationships.

The company offers a supportive working environment where people are trusted to do their jobs, encouraged to develop and able to maintain a genuine work/life balance.

Package & Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 33 days' holiday including Bank Holidays
• Pension scheme
• Medicash scheme
• Potential opportunity for future shareholding, subject to qualifying service
• Supportive and collaborative working environment
• Genuine opportunity to influence and develop the estimating function