Senior Estimator - Cabling and IT

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

Job summary

Advancing People Ltd is actively seeking a Senior Estimator to lead estimating, technical design, and bid development across complex IT infrastructure projects in the Manchester area. The role blends cost planning, tender submissions, and client engagement to shape scope and margins.

The ideal candidate brings 5+ years in IT infrastructure or cabling, strong Excel skills, and familiarity with tools such as AutoCAD and Ekahau. Hybrid working with office presence 1–2 days per week is offered.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in estimating/designer roles in technology, infrastructure or engineering.
• Experience with design-and-build or early contractor engagement is advantageous.
• Strong Excel skills and numerical acumen are essential.
• Familiarity with tender portals, public-sector frameworks, or procurement processes is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow the estimating team for the business.
• Oversee cost planning, estimating, and tender submissions for complex projects.
• Shape scope, assumptions, exclusions, and commercial risk to support bid strategy and margins.
• Develop high-quality technical and commercial proposals, pricing models, and supporting documents.
• Lead or validate technical designs and surveys with internal engineers and external partners.
• Engage with clients at bid stage as a trusted technical partner.
• Monitor tender portals and frameworks and plan ahead for renewals.
• Drive continuous improvement of estimating standards, tools and governance.

Skills

IT infrastructure

Structured cabling

Low-voltage electrical

Wireless systems

Bid management

Tools

Simpro

Contract Master

AutoCAD

Ekahau

BlueBeam

FieldWire

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