At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a national estimating team and oversee major tenders for large-scale projects.
- Company: Growing utilities business working with top UK clients in essential services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, company car, and life assurance.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence processes and drive team development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of estimating in a dynamic and impactful role.
- Qualifications: Strong estimating experience in utilities or infrastructure, with leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 42750 - 52250 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has come up for an experienced Head of Estimating to join a growing business operating across the UK utilities and infrastructure sector. The company works with some of the UK's leading blue-chip clients, delivering essential services across the clean water, wastewater, gas, multi-utilities and highways markets. This is a senior role where you'll take ownership of the estimating function, leading a national team and playing a key part in securing high-value contracts across the regulated water sector.
About the Role
As Head of Estimating, you'll be responsible for making sure the business is putting forward accurate, competitive and commercially viable bids across a range of large-scale projects and term service contracts. You'll lead the estimating team, oversee major tenders and work closely with procurement, commercial, operational teams and the wider supply chain. It's a hands-on leadership role, with plenty of scope to improve processes, develop the team and have a real influence on the way the estimating function operates.
What You'll Be Doing
- Lead and develop a national team of technical estimators
- Oversee the preparation and submission of tenders, bids and cost plans
- Review tender documentation, identifying commercial risks and opportunities
- Check and validate pricing to ensure estimates are accurate and competitive
- Work closely with procurement to obtain competitive supplier and subcontractor pricing
- Build strong relationships with clients, consultants and the supply chain
- Support contract negotiations and help manage commercial risk
- Improve estimating processes, cost libraries, templates and systems
- Get involved in project handovers, post-bid reviews and lessons learned
- Work with suppliers to improve performance and reliability
- Make sure estimating activity follows company procedures, management systems and H&S requirements
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone with strong estimating experience within utilities, infrastructure or a similar environment, ideally with exposure to water. You'll need:
- Previous experience in a senior estimating / estimating management position
- Experience leading and developing an estimating team
- A good understanding of asset lifecycle, condition reporting and technical surveying
- Experience working on large, multidisciplinary infrastructure tenders
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to identify risk within tender documentation
- Experience working with national frameworks and large-scale contracts
- Good knowledge of estimating software, cost planning tools and Microsoft Office
What's In It For You?
- Salary - £80k (negotiable for the right candidate)
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Company car
- Life assurance
- Opportunity to take a senior position within an established and growing utilities business
- The chance to lead and shape a national estimating function
If you're currently working in utilities, water, infrastructure or a related sector and are looking for your next senior estimating position, this could be worth a conversation.
Estimator employer: Harbourne Associates
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Estimator
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Estimator role you’re after at Harbourne Associates.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at Harbourne Associates a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Harbourne Associates.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Estimator at Harbourne Associates, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Estimator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Estimator, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Harbourne Associates a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Harbourne Associates specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Harbourne Associates
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Harbourne Associates, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Harbourne Associates want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
