At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the estimating process for major heavy civils and water projects.
- Company: Established business in heavy civil engineering and water infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, healthcare, holiday allowance, and career development.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with strong focus on quality and safety.
- Why this job: Take ownership of complex tenders and make a real impact on essential infrastructure.
- Qualifications: 5-10 years' estimating experience in heavy civils or water infrastructure.
Salary: £80,000-£90,000 DOE
Location: Harefield
Employment Type: Full-time
The Opportunity
Due to continued growth, we are looking for an experienced Senior Estimator to join an established business operating within the heavy civil engineering and water infrastructure sectors. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Estimator to take ownership of complex tenders and play a key role in preparing accurate, competitive and commercially robust estimates across major heavy civils and water projects. Working closely with Operational, Commercial, Procurement, Planning and Bid Teams, you will lead the estimating process from initial tender review through to submission and handover.
Key Responsibilities
- Review tender documents, drawings, specifications, pricing schedules and client requirements.
- Attend site visits where required to understand project scope, constraints and delivery requirements.
- Prepare detailed first-principles estimates for self-delivered heavy civil engineering and water infrastructure works.
- Develop production rates, resource requirements, construction methodologies and programme assumptions alongside operational and planning teams.
- Coordinate supplier and subcontractor enquiries, review quotations and ensure commercially robust and competitive pricing.
- Identify tender risks, opportunities and key assumptions, including ground conditions, temporary works, access constraints, stakeholder interfaces and programme considerations.
- Prepare tender documentation, pricing schedules, assumptions and supporting reports for internal governance and client submission.
- Support tender adjudications and respond to client clarifications.
- Ensure successful handover of tenders to the delivery team.
- Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior estimators where appropriate.
About You
We are looking for an experienced Senior Estimator with 5-10 years' estimating experience within heavy civils, water or major infrastructure. You will ideally have a proven track record of pricing complex projects for a main contractor, specialist civil engineering contractor or water infrastructure business. Strong experience in first-principles estimating and self-delivered works is essential.
Experience across areas such as:
- Heavy civil engineering
- Water infrastructure
- Water treatment works
- Reservoirs and pumping stations
- Pipelines and large-diameter pipework
- Earthworks
- Drainage
- Concrete structures
- Utilities and associated infrastructure
- Enabling and reinstatement works
You will have a strong understanding of construction methodologies, methods of measurement and NEC contracts, alongside the commercial awareness to identify risks and opportunities and develop accurate tender submissions. Experience working within collaborative bid teams is essential, as is the ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications and client requirements. Strong Excel skills are required, alongside experience using estimating software such as Conquest, Causeway, Candy or similar. Experience with take-off software, AutoCAD or project planning tools would be advantageous.
We're looking for someone who can take ownership of complex tenders, work collaboratively across the business and provide support and guidance to junior members of the estimating team. A full UK driving licence is required.
The Company
You will be joining an established and growing business operating across the heavy civil engineering and water infrastructure sectors, delivering major projects within the UK's essential infrastructure network. The business has a strong focus on quality, safety, collaboration and delivering successful outcomes for its clients.
What's on Offer
- £80,000-£90,000 salary, depending on experience
- Pension
- Healthcare
- Holiday allowance
- Employee benefits
- Career development and progression opportunities
Interested? If you're an experienced Senior Estimator with a background in heavy civils and/or water infrastructure and are looking for your next opportunity, we'd be keen to hear from you. Apply today for a confidential discussion about the role.
Senior Estimater - Heavy Civils or Water employer: Damicor Ltd
Join us at Heathrow Airport for an exciting opportunity to be part of a major infrastructure project that promises long-term job security and growth. As a JIB Approved Electrician, you'll benefit from competitive PAYE rates, holiday accrual, private health insurance, and pension contributions, all while working in a dynamic team environment that values professionalism and reliability. With ongoing training support and the chance to work on large-scale projects, this is your opportunity to advance your career in a vibrant and essential location.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Estimater - Heavy Civils or Water
✨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 Damicor Ltd, 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 Estimater - Heavy Civils or Water at Damicor Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Estimater - Heavy Civils or Water
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 Damicor Ltd
✨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!
