Senior Estimator

Eric Wright Group; Rishton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Car allowance

Pension

Health plan

Annual leave

Job summary

Eric Wright Civil Engineering in Preston seeks a Senior Estimator to join our established tendering team. You will analyse schemes, price civil engineering works, and prepare robust cost plans for £100k–£10m projects across sectors. The role offers hybrid working with strong collaboration across partners.

Ideally you bring Tier 1/2 contractor background, experience in estimating, and proficiency in Conquest and ASTA Powerproject. A professional body membership is desirable.

Qualifications

• Ideally experience with Tier 1/2 infrastructure main contractor projects.
• Experience in estimating/pricing civil engineering schemes (bridges, highways, utilities).
• Membership of a professional body and/or relevant qualification desirable.

Responsibilities

• Analyse and interpret information for tender bids, including construction methods and programme.
• Identify risks/opportunities and incorporate into tenders.
• Plan works delivery strategy with Design/Delivery teams.
• Price earthworks, drainage, ducting and paving from first principles.
• Prepare programme/construction sequence and liaise with supply chain for enquiries.

Skills

Civil estimating

Conquest

ASTA Powerproject

Pricing methods

Team leadership

MS Office

Education

BEng in Civil Engineering

Tools

Conquest

ASTA Powerproject

Job description

Role overview

The Eric Wright Group has a fantastic history. From our beginnings in construction to an award winning group of companies, our reputation is built on our Chairman's founding principles of a company that must be profitable, ethical and farsighted, as a result we have people, community and social value at our heart. As a multi award-winning leader in the UK civil engineering industry, Eric Wright Civil Engineering have specialised in delivering vital infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, structures, hydropower and rail for more than 25 years. With our commitment to quality, professionalism, safety and integrity, we have delivered a comprehensive range of projects for a diverse range of public and private sector clients. Our experienced, award-winning team works in true collaboration with all our partners to deliver innovative and cost-effective solutions to meet their project delivery targets with exceptional results - on time, within budget and to a high standard. Our long-standing client relationships are a testament to their expertise, innovation and first class project delivery.

This is an exciting time for Eric Wright Civil Engineering. If social value and profit for a purpose is important to you, as well as working as part of a wider Group with an experienced and supportive team then this is the role for you!

The Role

Due to continuous growth, we have an exciting opportunity for an established Civil Engineering Senior Estimator to join ouraward winning Civil Engineer team based in Preston. We work on securing projects, ranging from £100k to £10m across all sectors of the industry. We have a strong pipeline for 2025 and beyond which will be delivered by our exceptional teams. Our projects have gone on to win awards such as Pooley Bridge and Sugden End Landfill.

What you’ll be doing:

• Analyse and interpret information, including early appraisal of scheme requirements in terms of construction methods, programme and management.
• Identify risks/opportunities and incorporate them into a tender bid.
• Call upon support from Design / Delivery teams as appropriate to plan works delivery strategy.
• Identify key win themes and manage bid, coordinating input from multiple contributors.
• Identify additional information required to inform and benefit the tender.
• Challenge proposed designs and methodology to identify possible alternative construction methods, technologies and products.
• Price civil engineering activities such as earthworks, drainage, ducting and paving from 1st principles, building up labour, plant, material cost components.
• Prepare programme/construction sequence, to establish constructions periods. Ability to use ASTA Powerproject ideal but training can be provided.
• Identify subcontract packages, choose suppliers from database and from researching the market, liaise with supply chain, prepare and issue enquiries and analyse and interrogate responses.
• Compile a comprehensive net cost estimate for the works, including preliminary items.
• Present net cost estimate at internal adjudication and implement changes.
• Timely submission of tender, ensuring that the Clients requirements and specifications are met in full.
• Follow up submitted tenders.
• Give others an overview of the scheme, highlighting any job specific risks & opportunities.
• Contribute to discussion on commercial approach.
• Review project 1st appraisal and reflected on post-contract performance of tendered schemes.

About You

Aligned to our ethos and values, you will be an integral part of our team providing sound knowledge of market rates and prices from 1st principles. You will be methodical and organised with the ability to recognise and source additional resource required to produce estimates, recognise submission requirements to compile a logical sequence of actions necessary to achieve regular deadlines.

Ideally you’ll have:

• Ideally you will have Tier 1 or 2 Infrastructure main contractor background with experience in estimating / pricing projects, with a civil engineering focus (bridges, public realm, highways, utilities).
• Expert capability and knowledge of Conquest and ASTA Powerproject software is desirable.
• Working knowledge of best practice solutions and optimisation of innovative ideas.
• Good working knowledge of pricing and quantification methods is required.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, coupled with an ability to form effective relationships with partners under time pressure.
• Experience of leading a team is desirable.
• Proficiency in IT, numeracy and MS Office Basic & Estimating Systems is essential.
• Membership of a relevant professional body and/or relevant professional qualification is desirable, such as RICS/CIOB/RIBA/ICE/CIBSE.

In return we offer

Competitive Salary

Company car / car allowance scheme - 100% hybrid / electric vehicles.

Enhanced annual leave starting at 26 Days + bank holidays rising with service

Learning and development - we offer a range of learning opportunities to develop talent at all levels within our business focussing on technical competence, upskilling, compliance and governance and career development.

Pension — 6.5% employer contribution of your salary into your pension to help you save for the future

BUPA - optional scheme and can include your family to the scheme (50% contribution)

Company sick pay scheme - Up to 20 days full pay in a rolling 12 month period

Group Income Protection – 50% of your salary covered for 3 years for long term illness

Enhanced Paid Family Leave - maternity, paternity, adoption, fertility, compassion, bereavement, crisis, emergency dependants, and much more

Hybrid working - manage your own diary, working in the office, at home or out with clients

Onsite gym – we have a gym on site at Head Office which is free to use

Company Doctor – for when you can’t get to see your own or if you have any health concerns

Virtual GP - 24/7 access for when you need to speak to a GP

EAP – Employee Assistance Programme through Health Assured, supporting you and your family with advice, guidance and counselling on a variety of areas such as health, fitness, home life, finances and much more.

Mental Health support – through the Thrive app, approved by the NHS, provides tools, to tackle, prevent and manage common stressors such as sleep, bereavement, work issues etc. Also provides relaxation, breathing and meditation techniques and measures impact.

Savings scheme – Put aside an affordable amount for a rainy day in the future

Recognition awards – awards for long service and special birthdays

A comprehensive health and wellbeing strategy focussed on physical, emotional, financial and career wellbeing

Above all, you'll live our values. You'll be approachable and collaborative, and you'll take pride in developing others and in what the team achieves together.

Our Values

At the heart of everything we do are four core values:

• Integrity – We’re transparent, honest, and accountable. We build trust and deliver lasting impact.
• Excellence – We go beyond expectations with expertise, determination, and attention to detail.
• Respect – We’re inclusive, compassionate, and professional. Every voice matters.
• Innovation – We think differently, solve problems creatively, and embrace a “can do” attitude.

How You’ll Work

We’re looking for someone who lives our behaviours:

• Be authentic – Say what you mean, keep your promises, and build trust
• Be accountable – Own your work, celebrate success, and learn from setbacks
• Belong – Be part of something bigger, rooted in community and purpose
• Be the best you can – Give your all, ask for support, and grow with us
• Be motivated – Strive for excellence and take charge of your development
• Be safe – Look after yourself and others—safe people, safe place
• Be inclusive – Treat everyone with fairness, respect, and equality
• Be empathetic – Listen deeply and value every voice
• Be open – Share feedback, celebrate strengths, and speak up for what’s right
• Be collaborative – Offer support, share knowledge, and learn from others
• Be inspiring – Lead with positivity, embrace innovation, and foster teamwork
• Be bold – Speak up, be curious, and help shape the future

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a business that exists to make a difference
• Thrive in a healthy, empowering environment
• Work with passionate, dedicated colleagues who live our values
• Enjoy real opportunities to grow and shape your future
• Good salary and benefits offer

Our Ethos:

Working at the Eric Wright Group of companies is truly special. Owned 100% by the Eric Wright Charitable Trust, we are a commercially focused business with a social purpose, which means that after reinvestment in the business, our profit is donated to charity via the Trust. This ownership structure provides a high level of stability for the Group and supports longer-term commercial and charitable strategies. Our reputation is built on our Chairman's founding principles of a company that must be profitable, ethical and farsighted, as a result we have people, community and social value at our heart. The companies across the Group regularly collaborate to deliver outstanding results on bespoke projects for both public and private sector clients.

We are extremely proud of our dedicated, passionate and friendly colleagues who live our values and work hard to make a difference in communities every day.

Equal opportunity statement:

At Eric Wright Group, our clients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, who share of values, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our company stronger.

Safeguarding if required

The Eric Wright Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of its employees, contractors and clients and expects its people to share this commitment. Successful applicants may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check or Disclosure Scotland check and to provide proof of their right to work in the UK. We are committed to equal opportunities, inclusion and fairness across all employment opportunities and service delivery. All managers and employees are expected to promote our values to ensure our workplaces and services are inclusive and accessible.

Department EWCE Contract type Full time Hours 40 Salary Competitive with excellent benefits Benefits Competitive salary, car or car allowance, generous pension, holidays, income protection, health plans, paid family leave and much more!