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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead cost planning and estimating for exciting construction projects from start to finish.
- Company: Join Balfour Beatty, a top-tier company with a strong reputation in the industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-value projects while shaping your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in cost planning or estimating, with strong stakeholder engagement skills.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to sustainability and community impact.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About The Role
Location: Maxim Park / Euro Central - Motherwell
Company: Balfour Beatty / Win Business
Project: Build / Structures
Who This Role Will Appeal To:
- Currently a Senior Estimator, Cost Planner or Cost Consultant (PQS)
- Experienced in building construction projects
- Ambitious, analytical and commercially sharp
- Looking for a role where you influence projects right from the start
- Excited to work on high‑value, complex bids with a top‑tier business
- Customer Relationship Focused
- Passionate about delivering accurate, insightful cost intelligence
We’re looking for a Senior Estimator / Senior Cost Planner to join our growing team and play a critical role in securing some of the UK’s most exciting, complex construction projects.
What you’ll be doing:
- Developing robust cost plans using design information, supply chain input and your own building knowledge.
- Leading estimating strategy for bids, setting the right approach for procurement, margin, risk and value.
- Producing detailed work package pricing, estimates and tender reports for customer agreement.
- Working alongside planners and project controls to create holistic 5D-aligned project cost outputs.
- Challenging and interrogating design options to identify opportunities for value, innovation and efficiency.
- Managing estimating resources, mentoring colleagues and ensuring exceptional quality across submissions.
- Coordinating subcontractor enquiries, analysis, prelims pricing and risk assessments.
- Preparing tender settlement papers and presenting proposals directly to customers.
- Ensuring all estimates comply with process requirements and align with project risks and assumptions.
- Supporting digital transformation in BIM and 5D cost planning, helping shape our future tools and systems.
Who we’re looking for:
- Strong estimating or cost planning experience in building‑led projects.
- Tier 1 contractor experience.
- Solid technical knowledge of pricing, quantification and construction methods.
- Experience managing or mentoring team members.
- Excellent stakeholder skills—comfortable engaging with customers, design teams and supply chain.
- A proactive, solutions‑focused mindset; someone who loves working in a fast‑paced environment.
- Professional membership (e.g., RICS / CIOB / ICE) or working towards it (desirable).
- Ability to work digitally, with exposure to Lean, BIM, 5D cost planning, or a desire to develop these skills.
Professional and personal development:
The size and scale of Balfour Beatty coupled with our strong pipeline of work provides incredible opportunities, regardless of what stage you are at in your career. We encourage and empower our employees to take control of their career and explore which part of the business they want to work in and what role is right for them. We actively encourage our managers and employees to have open communication throughout the year about wellbeing, development and career opportunities.
We’re proud of the Balfour Beatty Academy. Whether it’s sharpening your technical expertise, improving your personal skills or seeking support to become professionally qualified, our 70:20:10 approach to development means we have a learning approach that suits everyone.
For further information about Balfour Beatty Regional Scotland please go to www.balfourbeatty.com/careers/Scotland.
Why work for us:
- Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
- 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata).
- Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave.
- Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more.
About Us:
From Dunfermline’s tramways in 1909 to highland hospitals today, Balfour Beatty has been trusted for over a century to deliver the complex and critical infrastructure and iconic buildings Scotland relies on. We have the people, knowledge and experience to safely deliver projects right first time, maximising value for money and ensuring a positive social impact and inclusive economic growth for local communities. Our award-winning sustainable projects, including active travel, Passivhaus and retrofit, demonstrate our commitment to supporting Scotland’s transition towards net zero in the built environment.
Diversity and inclusion:
At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background.
To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence "Employer Recognition Scheme" and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long‑term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role.
Senior Cost Planner / Estimator in Motherwell employer: Balfour
Contact Detail:
Balfour Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Cost Planner / Estimator in Motherwell
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the construction industry, especially those who work at Balfour Beatty. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just help you land that Senior Cost Planner role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your estimating strategies and cost planning knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you've influenced projects in the past and showcase your analytical skills. We want to see your passion for delivering accurate cost intelligence!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your digital skills! If you've got experience with BIM or 5D cost planning, make sure to highlight that. Balfour Beatty is keen on innovation, so demonstrating your tech-savvy side could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to some of the UK's most exciting projects.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Cost Planner / Estimator in Motherwell
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Cost Planner / Estimator role. Highlight your relevant experience in building construction projects and any Tier 1 contractor experience you have. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about delivering accurate cost intelligence and how you can influence projects from the start. Keep it engaging and make sure it reflects your personality.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills: In your application, don’t forget to mention your excellent stakeholder skills. We love candidates who are comfortable engaging with customers and design teams, so share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us that you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Balfour
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Cost Planner or Estimator, you need to be on top of your game with numbers. Brush up on your cost estimation techniques and be ready to discuss how you've developed robust cost plans in the past. Be prepared to share specific examples of how your analytical skills have influenced project outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
This role requires excellent stakeholder engagement, so think about times when you've successfully collaborated with customers, design teams, or supply chains. Prepare anecdotes that highlight your ability to build relationships and communicate effectively, as this will show you're a great fit for their team.
✨Demonstrate Your Technical Knowledge
Make sure you’re familiar with the latest construction methods and pricing strategies. Be ready to discuss your experience with BIM and 5D cost planning, as well as any relevant professional memberships. This will demonstrate your commitment to staying current in the industry and your readiness to contribute from day one.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect questions that challenge your problem-solving abilities. Think of scenarios where you've had to interrogate design options or manage estimating resources under pressure. Show them your proactive, solutions-focused mindset by discussing how you’ve tackled challenges in previous projects.