Senior Estimator

Linkit Recruitment; St Albans; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Linkit Recruitment is seeking a Senior Estimator in St Albans to take ownership of large, complex tenders. You will shape commercial strategy, challenge assumptions, and ensure bids are competitive, accurate, and profitable.

You'll lead tender teams across the full process, manage resources and deadlines, and mentor junior estimators while building strong client relationships to drive winning outcomes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in the construction industry, with tender exposure.
• Degree or equivalent in Construction Management, QS, Engineering or related field.
• Experience estimating for complex construction or built environment projects.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of the construction process.
• Experience on larger, complex tenders, with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead tenders from enquiry to submission and handover.
• Coordinate internal and external resources and teams.
• Ensure quality, accuracy and robustness of estimates.
• Prepare complete commercial and pricing elements of tenders.
• Produce high-quality tender submissions and manage the process.
• Attend pre-tender and post-tender interviews and progress meetings.
• Manage tender resources, deadlines and estimating pipeline.
• Identify opportunities to add value and improve commercial position.
• Assess and escalate project risks and forecast costs.

Skills

Tender leadership

Commercial acumen

Excel skills

Stakeholder management

Risk assessment

Education

Degree in Construction Management or QS

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

SENIOR ESTIMATOR

St Albans | Construction | Permanent

You know the difference between pricing a job and winning one.

This is an opportunity for an experienced Senior Estimator to take ownership of some of the larger and more complex tenders for a successful construction business in St Albans.

You won't just be producing numbers and sending spreadsheets into the void. You'll be responsible for shaping the commercial strategy behind major bids - challenging assumptions, identifying risk, finding opportunities to add value and ultimately making sure the business submits competitive, accurate and profitable tenders.

If you've got the commercial judgement to make the big calls, the confidence to challenge a tender and the personality to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues, this is a role worth looking at.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

You'll take the lead across complex tenders from initial enquiry through to submission, adjudication and handover.

That means:

• Leading tender teams and coordinating internal and external resources
• Taking full accountability for the quality, accuracy and robustness of estimates
• Preparing the complete commercial and pricing element of tenders and cost plans
• Producing high-quality tender submissions and leading the commercial side of the process
• Attending pre-tender and post-tender interviews, internal adjudications and tender progress meetings
• Managing tender resources, deadlines and the overall estimating process
• Identifying opportunities to add value and improve the commercial position
• Identifying, assessing and escalating potential project risks
• Using accurate cost forecasts to support commercial decision-making
• Reporting tender progress and maintaining clear visibility across the estimating pipeline
• Producing detailed control documentation to ensure a clean handover to the delivery team
• Building long-term relationships with clients, consultants, suppliers and internal stakeholders
• Working closely with other areas of the business to ensure the estimating strategy aligns with wider commercial objectives
• Mentoring and developing junior members of the estimating team

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

This isn't a role for someone who needs to be told what to do next.

You'll need the experience and commercial confidence to take ownership, make decisions and stand behind your numbers.

Ideally, you'll have:

• 5+ years' relevant construction industry experience
• A degree or equivalent qualification in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Engineering or a related discipline - although strong relevant experience will also be considered
• Experience estimating within complex construction or built environment environments
• Strong commercial awareness and a thorough understanding of the construction process
• Experience working on larger, complex tenders
• Excellent Excel and Microsoft Office skills
• The ability to analyse information, identify problems and make considered commercial decisions
• Strong attention to detail without losing sight of the bigger picture
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• The confidence to deal with clients and senior stakeholders
• The ability to work autonomously, manage pressure and deliver against tight deadlines
• A genuine interest in developing and mentoring junior estimators

WHY THIS ROLE?

Because you're getting the chance to have a real influence on the work the business wins.

You'll be trusted to lead major tenders, influence commercial strategy, work directly with clients and make decisions that have a genuine impact on the success and profitability of projects.

You'll also have the opportunity to develop the people around you - helping junior estimators become better at what they do while continuing to sharpen your own commercial expertise.

If you're an experienced Estimator who wants more ownership, more responsibility and the opportunity to influence bigger and more complex work, let's talk.