Senior Estimator Lead - Civil & Infrastructure

Balfour Beatty plc; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Smart working

40% remote working

25 days annual leave

Pension

Share incentive plan

Volunteering leave

Recognition schemes

Job summary

Balfour Beatty Regional Civils is seeking an experienced Managing Estimator to lead and develop the estimating team across the Central and South East region. Based in Derby, Birmingham or London, you will govern estimating activity from pre-construction through to Gate 4, driving quality, profitability and competitive tendering.

You will work with senior leaders and project teams to develop robust estimates, mentor estimators, and embed best practices across governance and processes.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior estimating leadership role within civil engineering, infrastructure, or major construction projects.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing estimating teams, providing mentorship and technical support.
• Strong understanding of pre-construction, tendering, and estimating processes across the project lifecycle.
• Experience producing competitive, accurate, and commercially robust estimates for complex projects and frameworks.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and ability to influence decision-making at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all estimating activities across the business unit, ensuring high-quality, competitive estimates.
• Oversee the estimating function across a diverse portfolio of civil engineering and infrastructure projects in the Central and South East region.
• Provide strategic leadership to the estimating team, developing capability and best practice.
• Ensure estimating governance, procedures, and processes are maintained and improved.
• Drive pre-construction excellence from initial engagement through to Gate 4 approval.
• Prepare, review, and submit detailed, well-researched estimates reflecting project scope, risks, and opportunities.
• Collaborate with operational, commercial, engineering, planning, and business development teams to develop winning bid strategies.
• Provide pre-contract and post-contract estimating support to maximise profitability and service performance.
• Build strong relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders to understand needs and objectives.
• Review tender documentation to identify risks and opportunities and develop commercial solutions.

Skills

Senior estimating leadership

Commercially robust estimates

Mentoring estimators

Bid strategy development

Stakeholder management

Analytical problem solving

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying / Civil Engineering / Construction Management

Membership of a relevant professional institution

Tools

Estimating software

Job description

Balfour Beatty Regional Civils is seeking an experienced Managing Estimator to lead and develop the estimating team across the Central and South East region. Based in Derby, Birmingham or London, you will govern estimating activity from pre-construction through to Gate 4, driving quality, profitability and competitive tendering.

You will work with senior leaders and project teams to develop robust estimates, mentor estimators, and embed best practices across governance and processes.