Senior Estimator

Job Title: Civils Estimator
Location: Leyland

Reporting To: Commercial Director / Head of Estimating
Employment Type: Permanent / Full-time

Role Purpose

To lead the estimating function for civils and groundworks projects (including highways, utilities, drainage, earthworks, surfacing) by producing accurate, competitive cost estimates and tender submissions. You will work closely with design, delivery and commercial teams to support bid strategy, risk assessment and hand-over to the delivery phase.

Key Responsibilities

• Review tender documents, drawings and specifications to establish the project scope, assumptions and deliverables.
• Perform first-principle take-offs and quantify civils, groundworks, drainage, utilities, earthworks and surfacing elements.
• Develop detailed cost plans, bills of quantities, subcontractor and supplier enquiries.
• Analyse subcontractor/supplier returned tenders, challenge pricing and build in risk/contingency appropriately.
• Contribute to bid strategy: identify value engineering opportunities, propose alternative methodologies, collaborate with the delivery team and supply chain.
• Present estimates and associated risk profile to senior management for go/no-go decision making.
• Liaise with delivery, commercial and design teams during post-tender handover, ensuring smooth transition into execution.
• Maintain and update estimating databases, unit rates, cost libraries and historical data to support future bids.
• Monitor market trends in materials, labour, plant and renew cost assumptions accordingly.
• Ensure all estimates comply with company procedures, contract conditions, health & safety, and quality standards.

Person Specification / Requirements

Essential:

• Proven experience as an Estimator within civil engineering / groundworks / infrastructure (typically 3-5 years minimum, preferably more for senior roles).
• Strong ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications.
• Excellent numerical, analytical and commercial awareness skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel; familiarity with estimating software or take-off tools is a plus.
• Good communication and negotiation skills to engage with suppliers, subcontractors and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple tenders concurrently, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Desirable:

• Degree, HNC/HND or equivalent in Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or similar discipline.
• Experience of highways, utilities, drainage, earthworks and surfacing.
• Familiarity with NEC, JCT or other common contract forms and commercial/contractual input.
• Site experience or background helps bridge estimating with delivery.
• Substation Experience
• Awareness of health & safety, environmental and sustainability aspects relevant to civils (e.g., Working around live utilities, S278/S38, CDM requirements).

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package (to be confirmed based on experience).
• Opportunity to work on a varied pipeline of civils/groundworks projects with a growing forward order book.
• Professional development and progression opportunities within a fast-moving commercial team.
• Collaborative and supportive company culture.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.