Senior Estimator - Cabling and IT

Advancing People; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Advancing People - Equal opportunities

Job summary

Advancing People is seeking an experienced estimator and designer for an established Cabling and IT infrastructure business in the Manchester area. The role leads estimating, technical design, and bid development across multi-discipline projects with a focus on IT infrastructure, structured cabling, and wireless systems.

You will manage and grow the estimating team, shape bid strategy, engage clients at bid stage, and drive margin through rigorous cost planning and high-quality proposals.

Qualifications

• Experienced estimator and designer from technology, infrastructure or engineering background.
• Cabling fibre or copper experience is essential; wireless exposure is a bonus.
• Minimum 5+ years' experience with bid design and build processes.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with estimating tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost planning, estimating, and tender submissions for technically complex projects.
• Manage and grow the estimating team; shape bid strategy and margins.
• Shape scope, assumptions, exclusions and commercial risk to support bid strategy.
• Develop high-quality technical and commercial proposals, pricing models, and supporting documents.
• Engage directly with clients at bid stage as a trusted technical partner.

Job description

Are you an experienced estimator within the cabling and IT infrastructure sector?

Are you looking for a new varied and rewarding role with an established Cabling and IT infrastructure business?

Would you like the opportunity to manage and grow the estimating team for my client?

If so, our client is keen to hear from you!

They are based in the Manchester area but are open to where you can live, with flexibility to work remotely - attending their office 1 or 2 days per week (flexible).

Ideally you will live in the North or the Midlands.

The Role:

This is a senior position leading estimating, technical design, and bid development across complex, multi-discipline projects. The role is weighted towards IT infrastructure, structured cabling, low-voltage electrical, and wireless systems, with exposure to wider technologies advantageous.

Our client works mainly within the channel dealing with Daisy and Wavenet projects whilst being open to tender opportunities with direct end users.

You will combine technical authority, commercial judgement, and client engagement, operating with minimal supervision. The role offers genuine influence over solution design, bid strategy, and how work is won.

More Detail:

Manage and grow the estimating team - the company is geared up for significant growth
Lead cost planning, estimating, and tender submissions for technically complex projects
Shape scope, assumptions, exclusions, and commercial risk to support bid strategy and margin control
Develop high-quality technical and commercial proposals, including pricing models and supporting documentation
Lead or validate technical designs and surveys, coordinating internal engineers and external survey partners
Engage directly with clients at bid stage as a trusted technical partner, particularly in design-and-build and early engagement environments
Contribute directly to winning work through technical credibility and commercial input
Monitor tender portals and frameworks (NFP), plan ahead for public-sector renewals, and manage a structured opportunity pipeline
Support the continuous improvement of estimating standards, tools, and pre-construction governance

The Person:

We are looking for an experienced estimator and designer from a technology, infrastructure, or engineering background, comfortable operating autonomously and taking ownership of bids end-to-end - cabling fibre or copper cabling experience is essential - any exposure to wireless is a bonus!

You will have at least 5+ years' experience and will bring strong experience in one or more of the following:

IT infrastructure
Structured cabling (copper and fibre)
Low-voltage electrical systems
Wireless or cellular technologies

You will be commercially astute, confident engaging clients at bid stage, and experienced in design-and-build or early contractor engagement environments. Experience with frameworks, Schedule of Rates, or public-sector procurement is advantageous.

Strong Excel skills are essential. Experience with estimating or design tools such as Simpro, Contract Master, AutoCAD, Ekahau, BlueBeam, FieldWire, or similar platforms being beneficial.

The salary available for this role is within the range of £70,000 - £80,000 plus bonus - this could be flexible for the right candidate.

Advancing People - The Recruitment Specialist

Advancing People Ltd is an Equal Opportunities Employer and acts as both an Employment Business and Employment Agency.