Senior Estimator

BAM UK & Ireland; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Family-friendly policies

Company car / travel allowance

8% matched pension contributions

Private healthcare

Life assurance

26 days holiday

2 wellbeing days

1 volunteering day

Personal and professional development

Job summary

BAM UK & Ireland is seeking a Senior Estimator to join the Social Infrastructure, Nuclear and Defence pre-construction team. You will work on diverse civil projects, helping shape budgets, bid strategies and value-driven solutions across early stages to tender close.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, clients and supply chains while operating in a flexible pattern including home and office-based days. A proactive, independent contributor mindset is essential.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Civil Engineering or similar discipline.
• Significant experience leading complex estimates and tender submissions in civil infra/major projects.
• Familiarity with NEC contracts and optioneering processes.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with bid teams and pre-construction groups to develop cost estimates at multiple design stages.
• Deliver cost estimates and budgets with iterations for target prices.
• Support ECI budget development, value engineering and cost planning.
• Contribute to optioneering, feasibility studies and multidisciplinary solution development.
• Liaise with clients, designers, QS and third-party stakeholders.
• Prepare tender documentation, correspondence and supplier enquiries.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Bid preparation

Cost estimation

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

HND in Civil Engineering

Tools

Candy estimating

Job description

Building a sustainable tomorrow

We are currently looking for experienced Senior Estimators to join our established Social Infrastructure, Nuclear and Defence pre‑construction team. This business unit covers a diverse portfolio including regional civil engineering projects, flood defence schemes, water and wastewater frameworks, near‑shore marine works, and nuclear and defence infrastructure.

We are currently looking for experienced Senior Estimators to join our established Social Infrastructure, Nuclear and Defence pre‑construction team. This business unit covers a diverse portfolio including regional civil engineering projects, flood defence schemes, water and wastewater frameworks, near‑shore marine works, and nuclear and defence infrastructure. No two opportunities are the same. From early‑stage budget pricing and Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) contracts through to complex competitive tenders and major infrastructure projects, you will have the opportunity to influence projects throughout their development lifecycle and play a key role in shaping winning solutions. You will join an experienced pre‑construction team bringing together estimating, planning, design management, commercial and operational expertise. Working closely with project teams, clients, design partners and supply chain organisations, you will help develop safe, buildable and value‑driven solutions for clients across a diverse range of infrastructure opportunities within the Social Infrastructure, Nuclear and Defence sectors.

Your team

• We welcome applications from experienced candidates based anywhere across England and Wales. A BAM office will be nominated as your contractual base, but this role is designed around flexibility rather than regular attendance at a specific location.
• Your working pattern will be agreed with your line manager, and will include collaboration days, client meetings, project site visits, and a mutually agreed combination of home and office‑based working. With access to BAM's network of regional offices and project locations, you will be able to work in a way that supports both your performance and wellbeing.
• This role is ideally suited to proactive, self‑motivated professionals who are comfortable working independently while contributing to a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary team.

Making Possible

As a Senior Estimator, You Will Be Responsible For

• Coordinating with bid teams, colleagues in estimating, the wider pre‑construction team and ECI project teams.
• Managing and delivering cost estimates at various design and scope stages, including multiple iterations of budget and target prices.
• Supporting ECI teams with project budget development, value engineering, efficiency proposals and Construction Target Cost preparation.
• Contributing to optioneering, feasibility studies and multidisciplinary solution development.
• Liaising with clients, designers, consultants, quantity surveyors and wider third‑party stakeholders.
• Preparing and administering tender documentation, correspondence, supply chain enquiries and quotations.
• Challenging and supporting bid preparation to develop safe, cost‑effective and buildable solutions.
• Gathering and distributing lessons learned and remaining current with emerging techniques and innovations.
• Preparing first‑principles cost estimates using Candy estimating software.
• Participating in bid preparation, review sessions and tender settlement meetings.
• Producing tender summaries, risk and opportunity registers, and communicating estimate details at review and handover stages.
• Ensuring compliance with BAM and Group bid governance procedures.

What do you bring to the role?

• Degree, HND in Civil Engineering or equivalent qualification.
• Significant experience within civil engineering, infrastructure or major project delivery environments, gained through estimating, commercial, engineering or operational leadership roles.
• Proven experience leading or managing complex estimates and tender submissions within a civil engineering or infrastructure setting.
• Experience pricing a variety of civil engineering disciplines, with a strong understanding of construction methods and typical production rates.
• Demonstrable understanding of common forms of contract, including NEC.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience guiding teams to achieve challenging deadlines.
• Desirable - Ability to obtain and maintain Security Check (SC) clearance. Previous experience working in regulated, nuclear or defence environments would be advantageous but is not essential.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary
• A wide range of family‑friendly policies
• Company car/car allowance/travel allowance
• 8 % matched pension contributions
• Private healthcare
• Life assurance
• 26 days holiday
• 2 wellbeing days
• 1 volunteering day
• Personal and professional development

About BAM

Building a sustainable tomorrow. That’s our mission and our promise at BAM. It’s how we engineer vital infrastructure and construct high‑quality buildings as one of the largest construction companies in Europe. We strive to create an environment where everybody feels welcome and valued. We’re on an exciting journey to employ the best talent to join us regardless of social background, race, colour, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability or other characteristics. BAM is committed to ensuring a fully inclusive recruitment and onboarding process, so if at anytime you feel you may need any reasonable adjustments, do not hesitate to speak with one of our team, and we will do our best to support you.