Senior Estimator - Main Contractor / Construction Location: Oldham, Greater Manchester (Hybrid - 3 days office / 2 days home) Salary/Package: £70,000 - £80,000 + Excellent Benefits Package Job Type: Permanent About the Company Our client is a highly respected, privately owned national construction contractor with a history spanning over 170 years. The business has an outstanding reputation for delivering high-quality construction projects across a diverse range of sectors, including education, leisure, transport, blue light, commercial and healthcare. With projects ranging in value from £10m to £90m, the business continues to secure significant flagship schemes and is committed to sustainable growth across its regional operations. Due to continued success and an expanding project pipeline, an opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Estimator to join the North West team. The Role The successful candidate will play a pivotal role within the pre-construction and estimating function, taking responsibility for calculating build costs across multiple construction projects. You will lead the estimating process from initial tender through to contract signing, ensuring accurate and commercially robust estimates are produced within agreed timescales. Working closely with pre-construction, procurement, design and operational teams, you will help develop effective procurement strategies, challenge design solutions and ensure tender submissions meet client requirements, project specifications and current legislation. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Senior Estimator to join an established and growing regional business, taking a leading role in securing major construction projects while supporting and mentoring the wider estimating team. Key Responsibilities Estimating & Tender Management Lead the preparation and submission of detailed estimates across multiple construction projects. Calculate accurate build costs, ensuring tenders are commercially competitive and reflect the full project scope. Review tender documentation, drawings, specifications and technical information. Analyse project requirements and identify potential risks, opportunities and cost implications. Ensure estimates are completed accurately, on time and to the highest standards. Lead the estimating process through to final tender submission and contract signing. Ensure pricing strategies reflect commercial objectives and maintain appropriate levels of profitability. Pre-Construction & Procurement Work closely with pre-construction teams to develop effective tender and procurement strategies. Collaborate with design teams to review proposed solutions and identify opportunities for value engineering. Engage with the supply chain to obtain competitive and accurate subcontractor and supplier quotations. Challenge design proposals and identify innovative, cost-effective alternatives. Ensure proposed solutions align with client requirements, project scope and relevant legislation. Support the successful transition of projects from tender stage through to contract award. Commercial & Risk Management Ensure all estimates are commercially robust and accurately reflect project requirements. Identify and assess commercial risks within tender documentation and proposed designs. Undertake benchmarking and cost analysis to support estimating decisions. Review and validate quantities, specifications and pricing information. Maintain commercial integrity throughout the tender process. Support senior management with tender reviews and estimating recommendations. Team Leadership & Development Provide guidance and support to other members of the estimating team. Mentor and develop less experienced estimators, sharing technical knowledge and best practice. Work collaboratively with pre-construction, design, procurement and operational colleagues. Promote effective communication and a positive team environment. Contribute towards the continuous improvement of estimating processes and procedures. About You Proven experience working as a Senior Estimator within a main contracting or construction environment. Strong understanding of the construction estimating and pre-construction process. Experience pricing large-scale construction projects, ideally within the £10m-£90m range. Experience across sectors such as education, leisure, transport, blue light, commercial or healthcare would be advantageous. HNC, HND or Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or Civil Engineering. Minimum relevant Level 4 qualification, such as HNC or NVQ Level 4. Strong numeracy skills and excellent written and verbal communication. Ability to interpret complex project specifications, drawings and technical documentation. Strong analytical skills with excellent attention to detail. Confident undertaking cost calculations, benchmarking and quantitative analysis. Commercially aware with the ability to identify value engineering opportunities. Excellent time management and organisational skills. Strong communication and negotiation skills when dealing with internal teams, clients and the supply chain. Previous experience mentoring or supporting the development of other estimators. Desirable: Working towards MCIOB or MRICS professional accreditation. What's on Offer? Salary of £70,000 - £80,000, depending on experience. Excellent additional benefits package. Enhanced pension scheme. Optional private medical cover. Life assurance. Incentive bonus. Hybrid working - 3 days from the Oldham office and 2 days from home. Opportunity to work on major construction projects valued between £10m and £90m. Join an established and highly respected national contractor. Senior position with the opportunity to influence pre-construction and work-winning strategy. Opportunity to mentor and develop the wider estimating team. Long-term career progression within a growing North West business. Apply Today If you're an experienced Senior Estimator with a strong background in main contracting and are looking for your next opportunity with an established business delivering major construction projects across the North West, we'd like to hear from you. Please get in touch today with our Commercial Specialist, Mark Harris, at Building Careers UK for a confidential discussion. 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. By applying for this job, you accept the Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers which can be found on our website. Building Careers UK is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. Please Note: Due to the high volume of applicants, only those shortlisted will be contacted. INDCOM
Senior Estimator in Oldham employer: Building Careers Uk
As a leading construction and civil engineering contractor in Huyton, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to excel. With competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, we are committed to supporting your professional growth through ongoing training and development opportunities, ensuring you thrive in your role as a Senior Estimator. Join us to be part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering high-quality residential developments and infrastructure projects while enjoying the stability of a strong pipeline of work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Estimator in Oldham
✨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.
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!
