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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead estimating for civil engineering tenders and manage the full tender lifecycle.
- Company: Established civil engineering contractor with a focus on infrastructure projects.
- Benefits: Strong career progression, professional development support, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to work on major projects, including work in Peterhead.
- Why this job: Play a key role in shaping future projects and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in civil engineering estimating and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Due to continued growth, an experienced Senior Estimator is required to join a well-established civil engineering contractor working on a range of infrastructure projects, including a key project based in Peterhead. This is a great opportunity for a commercially strong estimator to take ownership of the tendering function and play a key role in securing and shaping future work.
The Role
- You will lead the estimating process across multiple civil engineering tenders, producing accurate, competitive, and commercially sound submissions.
- Working closely with operational, commercial, and planning teams, you will manage the full tender lifecycle from initial enquiry through to submission, ensuring all risks, methodology, programme, and commercial considerations are fully captured.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead preparation of detailed estimates for civil engineering tenders
- Review ITT documentation, drawings, specs, and contract conditions (NEC included)
- Carry out take-offs and build rates for labour, plant, materials, and subcontract packages
- Obtain and analyse supplier and subcontractor quotations
- Develop tender assumptions, clarifications, and exclusions
- Work with planners to align methodology and programme with pricing
- Identify commercial risks and opportunities within bids
- Support bid strategy and value engineering proposals
- Lead estimating handovers to project delivery teams
- Maintain cost databases and benchmarking data
- Support and mentor junior members of the estimating team
- Present estimates and key risk profiles to senior management
About You
- Proven experience in civil engineering estimating (earthworks, drainage, highways, utilities, structures)
- Strong ability to build estimates from first principles
- Good understanding of NEC contracts and UK construction procurement
- Strong communication and commercial awareness
- High level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Full UK driving licence
- HNC/HND or Degree in Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying or similar
- Experience with estimating software (Causeway, Candy, CostX, Bluebeam etc.)
- Professional membership (ICE, CIOB, RICS)
What’s on Offer
- Key role on major infrastructure and civils projects, including work in Peterhead
- Strong career progression within a growing contractor
- Support for professional development and training
- Collaborative, safety-focused working environment
Senior Estimator employer: C&P Recruitment
Contact Detail:
C&P Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Estimator
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend civil engineering events, and join relevant online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Senior Estimator role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your estimating successes and methodologies. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your experience shine through.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get ready for interviews by rehearsing common questions related to estimating and civil engineering. We can help you with mock interviews to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Estimator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Estimator role. Highlight your experience in civil engineering estimating and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Skills: In your cover letter, don’t just list your qualifications; showcase your skills! Talk about your proficiency with estimating software and your understanding of NEC contracts. This is your chance to shine, so let us know what makes you a great fit!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and get straight to the point. Make it easy for us to see why you’re the right candidate!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at C&P Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Estimator, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in producing accurate estimates. Brush up on your knowledge of build rates, labour costs, and material pricing. Be ready to discuss how you approach take-offs and the methodologies you use to ensure your estimates are competitive.
✨Familiarise Yourself with NEC Contracts
Since the job requires a good understanding of NEC contracts, make sure you review the key principles and conditions before the interview. Being able to discuss how you've applied these contracts in past projects will show that you're not just familiar but also experienced in navigating their complexities.
✨Showcase Your Teamwork Skills
This role involves working closely with various teams, so be prepared to share examples of how you've collaborated with operational, commercial, and planning teams in previous roles. Highlight any successful projects where your teamwork made a significant impact on the tendering process.
✨Prepare for Risk Assessment Questions
Understanding commercial risks and opportunities is crucial for this position. Think about past tenders where you identified risks and how you mitigated them. Be ready to discuss your thought process and how you align risk management with pricing strategies.