At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead estimating strategy and oversee project delivery for major capital programmes.
- Company: @one Alliance, a collaborative organisation focused on water sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities and the environment during our largest investment programme.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant discipline and experience in leading large estimating functions.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: Peterborough / Hybrid
Who are we? Here within the @one Alliance we are a totally collaborative organisation made up of our eight partner companies (Anglian Water, Balfour Beatty, Barhale, Binnies, MMB, MWH Treatment, Skanska and SWECO) and our extended supply chain, delivering over half of Anglian Water’s capital investment programme. Water and the natural environment are the foundation of life, society, and our economy. The East of England is home to unique rivers, wetlands, and coastlines—but it is also one of the most water‑stressed regions in the UK. With one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes in the industry, we are delivering resilient water supplies, enabling sustainable growth, tackling climate change, and protecting the natural environment.
The Opportunity We are looking for an exceptional Head of Estimating to lead our estimating function across the @one Alliance during AMP8—our most ambitious investment cycle to date. This is a high‑impact strategic leadership role, responsible for shaping estimating strategy, driving commercial excellence, and supporting the successful delivery of over 750 capital projects. You and your team will play a critical role in determining project value, performance, and risk—ensuring the right commercial outcomes for the business, our customers, and the environment.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Strategic Leadership
- Lead and evolve the estimating strategy in line with our goals for affordability, carbon reduction, and environmental performance
- Take full accountability for all estimating activities across the @one Alliance
- Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing estimating team
- Own and maintain the business cost base, ensuring accuracy and relevance
- Champion a culture of commercial excellence, transparency, and outperformance
- Project Delivery & Estimating
- Oversee estimates across key delivery milestones, including:
- Affordability assessments and early‑stage cost assurance
- Optioneering with high‑level budget estimates
- Outline & detailed design estimates, combining top‑down and bottom‑up methodologies
- Ensure consistency, robustness, and quality across all estimate outputs
- Stakeholder Collaboration
- Work closely with internal teams including Design, Commercial, Project Management, Construction, Planning and Procurement
- Build strong relationships with supply chain partners and cost intelligence teams
- Maintain integrity of the estimating process while balancing stakeholder needs
- Cost Capture & Intelligence
- Lead all cost capture activities to enhance the business cost base
- Collaborate with commercial and procurement teams to capture accurate project data
- Use insights to improve estimating accuracy and inform regulatory submissions
- Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Drive improvements in estimating systems, tools, and processes
- Champion standard product use and challenge inefficiencies
- Support innovation initiatives with cost modelling and analysis
- People & Culture
- Develop, coach, and inspire your team to deliver high performance
- Champion diversity, inclusion, and a culture where every voice is heard
- Ensure team wellbeing, engagement, and continuous development
- Health & Safety
- Promote a strong safety culture with a goal of zero incidents
- Ensure compliance with H&S policies, audits, and reporting
- Lead by example in safe working practices
About You
- Qualifications & Experience
- Degree‑qualified in a relevant discipline
- Proven experience leading large estimating functions within major capital programmes (£100m+ annually)
- Background with a principal contractor on complex infrastructure or construction projects
- In‑depth knowledge of estimating, commercial, and financial processes
- Experience with NEC3, PSC and ECC contracts (particularly Option C)
- Demonstrated ability to influence strategic business outcomes
- Professional qualification (RICS, ICES, CIOB) desirable
- Skills & Attributes
- Strategic, innovative, and proactive mindset
- Strong leadership and team development capabilities
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
- Confident in challenging and influencing senior stakeholders
- Excellent communication skills, including simplifying financial information
- Results‑driven with a focus on quality and continuous improvement
- Collaborative and motivated team player
Why Join @one Alliance?
- Be part of a purpose‑driven organisation shaping the future of water and the environment
- Lead during our largest‑ever investment programme (AMP8)
- Work within the innovative and collaborative alliance
- Make a lasting impact on communities, infrastructure, and sustainability
The Anglian Water @one Alliance. Eight partners, endless opportunities.
Head of Estimating in Peterborough employer: Anglian Water's @one Alliance
At @one Alliance, we pride ourselves on being a collaborative and purpose-driven organisation dedicated to shaping the future of water and the environment. Located in Peterborough, our hybrid work culture fosters innovation and teamwork, providing exceptional opportunities for professional growth while leading the largest investment programme in our history. Join us to make a meaningful impact on communities and sustainability, all within a supportive environment that champions diversity and employee wellbeing.
Contact Details:
Anglian Water's @one Alliance Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Estimating in Peterborough
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
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If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Estimating in Peterborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
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Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Anglian Water's @one Alliance
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
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Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
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Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
