At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the estimation process for major construction projects and develop competitive bids.
- Company: Join a leading UK construction firm with a strong project pipeline.
- Benefits: Salary between £65,000 - £85,000 plus excellent benefits and career progression.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor junior staff and work alongside experienced management.
- Why this job: Make an impact on high-value projects while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in construction estimating with strong commercial awareness and negotiation skills.
Location - North West / UK
Salary/Package - £65,000 - £85,000 + Excellent Benefits Package
About the Company
Our client is a major UK construction business with extensive experience delivering complex building projects across a wide range of sectors, including education, healthcare, commercial, hospitality, industrial, affordable housing and private rented sector developments. The business combines strong regional knowledge with the resources and systems of a national organisation, delivering projects ranging from smaller works through to major developments valued at £100m+.
With a strong pipeline of major projects, the business is now looking to appoint an experienced Senior Estimator to strengthen its pre-construction and commercial team.
The Role
As Senior Estimator, you will be responsible for producing competitive, accurate and commercially robust tenders across both traditional and non-traditional procurement routes. You will work closely with the Bid Manager, Procurement, Commercial and wider pre-construction teams to develop competitive bids and maximise opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
- Reviewing tender enquiries and developing a bid strategy with the Bid Manager to give a competitive edge
- Producing market-competitive, net cost estimates for both traditional and non-traditional bids in line with company processes and procedures
- Carrying out accurate quantity take-offs for estimating purposes
- Inputting labour, plant and materials into estimating systems to deliver a first-principles-based estimating approach
- Issuing and vetting material and subcontract enquiries where required to support net cost pricing
- Liaising with the Procurement Department to obtain material quotations
- Inputting into tender adjudication and finalisation documents for senior management approval
- Establishing value engineering opportunities to give bids a competitive edge
- Identifying risks within tender schemes and developing strategies to mitigate commercial exposure
- Preparing and checking tender letters, technical notes and qualifications for issue
- Attending client interviews as required
- Preparing benchmarking reports and data to support bids
- Inputting bid data into the CRM system where required
- Coaching, mentoring and assisting with the training of junior staff to support their development
- Complying with company QMS procedures
- Undertaking any other duties reasonably required by senior management
The Ideal Candidate
The successful Senior Estimator will have:
- A minimum of 15 years' experience working within the construction sector is essential, with experience across a variety of project types and project values
- Proven experience as a Senior Estimator within a main contractor environment
- Strong experience pricing major building projects
- Experience across sectors such as commercial, education, healthcare, residential, student accommodation or industrial would be advantageous
- Strong first-principles estimating ability
- Excellent understanding of construction methodology and sequencing
- Strong knowledge of subcontractor procurement and supply chain pricing
- Ability to undertake accurate quantity take-offs
- Experience with labour, plant and material build-ups
- Strong commercial awareness and attention to detail
- Excellent negotiation and communication skills
- Ability to identify project risks and value engineering opportunities
- Experience contributing to tender adjudications and client interviews
- Good Microsoft Excel and estimating software experience
- Ability to manage multiple tenders and deadlines effectively
- Experience mentoring or supporting junior members of an estimating team
- Relevant construction or commercial qualification would be advantageous
What's on Offer
- £65,000 - £85,000 salary
- Excellent package
- Opportunity to work for a major UK construction business
- Exposure to major build projects
- Strong pipeline of secured and upcoming work
- Opportunity to work on complex and high-value construction schemes
- Excellent career progression and professional development
- Supportive and commercially focused working environment
- Opportunity to work alongside experienced senior management and pre-construction teams
If you're interested in this opportunity, then please get in touch today with our Commercial Specialist, Mark Harris.
Building Careers UK specialises in Construction and Property recruitment and serves as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities. Our recruitment process is designed to ensure equal opportunities for all candidates.
Please Note: Due to high volume of applicants, only those shortlisted will be contacted.
Senior Estimator in Newton-le-Willows employer: Building Careers UK
Join a well-established company in Bury that prioritises quality workmanship and safety while offering a supportive and professional work environment. As an Electrician, you'll have the chance to work on diverse commercial and industrial projects across the North West, with ongoing training and career development opportunities to help you grow in your role. This permanent position not only provides a competitive salary but also the potential for overtime, making it an excellent choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Estimator in Newton-le-Willows
✨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!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
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.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Building Careers UK, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Senior Estimator at Building Careers UK.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Estimator in Newton-le-Willows
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
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.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Building Careers UK
✨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.
✨Showcase Your Projects
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.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
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!
