Senior Estimator

Carmichael UK; Salford; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Carmichael UK is seeking an experienced Senior Estimator to deliver major water and utility infrastructure tenders across the UK. You will lead pricing strategies, develop robust cost plans and support conversion of opportunities into secured work.

You'll work with bid teams, suppliers and internal stakeholders, mentoring junior estimators and maintaining estimating databases to benchmark performance and drive value across complex projects.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Senior Estimator or similar in water, utilities or civil engineering.
• Experience pricing projects for major contractors or utility providers.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of NEC contracts.
• Ability to manage multiple bids and meet challenging deadlines.
• Mentor junior estimators and support team development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the estimating function on complex water and utilities tenders.
• Review tender documentation, specifications and scope requirements.
• Produce first-principles estimates and detailed cost plans.
• Identify risks, opportunities and value engineering solutions.
• Liaise with suppliers, subcontractors and internal stakeholders to obtain competitive quotations.
• Support bid submissions and client presentations.
• Maintain and develop estimating databases and benchmarking information.
• Mentor junior estimators and support team development.

Skills

Tendering

Cost planning

Pricing strategy

Bid management

Stakeholder management

NEC contracts

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Job description

Are you an experienced Senior Estimator looking to play a key role in delivering major water and utility infrastructure projects?

We are seeking a commercially astute and technically capable Senior Estimator to join a leading infrastructure contractor delivering projects across the UK water sector. This is an excellent opportunity to work on significant capital delivery programmes, including clean water, wastewater, treatment works, pipeline, drainage and broader utility infrastructure schemes.

The Role

As Senior Estimator, you will lead the preparation of accurate and competitive tenders for a diverse portfolio of water and utility projects. Working closely with operational, commercial and bid teams, you will develop robust pricing strategies and support the successful conversion of opportunities into secured work.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the estimating function on complex water and utilities tenders.
• Review tender documentation, specifications and scope requirements.
• Produce first-principles estimates and detailed cost plans.
• Identify risks, opportunities and value engineering solutions.
• Liaise with suppliers, subcontractors and internal stakeholders to obtain competitive quotations.
• Support bid submissions and client presentations.
• Maintain and develop estimating databases and benchmarking information.
• Mentor junior estimators and support team development.

About You

• Proven experience as a Senior Estimator, Lead Estimator or Principal Estimator within the water, utilities or civil engineering sector.
• Strong knowledge of water infrastructure projects, including treatment works, pipelines, drainage, wastewater and clean water schemes.
• Experience pricing projects for major contractors, frameworks or utility providers.
• Excellent commercial awareness and understanding of NEC contracts.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple bids and work to challenging deadlines.