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- Tasks: Lead the estimating function, shaping pricing strategies and driving excellence in tendering.
- Company: Howells Solutions, a forward-thinking organisation focused on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, family-friendly policies, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Home-based or hybrid role with opportunities for UK travel.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on business growth while leading a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in social housing estimating and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 120000 £ per year.
Howells Solutions is seeking an exceptional Head of Estimating to lead our commercial estimating and tendering function at a strategic level. This is a pivotal senior leadership role, shaping how we price, win and mobilise major contracts across the organisation. If you are commercially astute, influential at senior levels, and passionate about driving excellence in tendering, this is an opportunity to make a significant impact on the future growth of our business.
As Head of Estimating, you will take ownership of developing robust, compliant and commercially competitive bids across a wide range of work streams, including Repairs & Maintenance (such as M&E and Planned Works), Central Government housing and support services, Decarbonisation and Net Zero programmes, and DLO support. You will shape the commercial strategy behind each opportunity, building cost models from first principles, driving value engineering, and ensuring risks and assumptions are clearly understood. Working closely with Business Development, Operations and Legal teams, you will influence strategic bid decisions and ensure our proposals support sustainable growth and margin protection. Your leadership will set the standard for commercial governance, pricing excellence and the continuous improvement of our estimating function.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the creation of high-quality commercial proposals tailored to individual opportunities
- Develop cost models from first principles and drive pricing strategy and value engineering
- Provide senior leadership with clear commercial analysis, risk positions and recommendations
- Partner with internal teams to shape strategic bid decisions and contract risk assessments
- Extensive experience in social housing estimating, including expert knowledge of NHF Schedule of Rates.
- Proven ability to develop pricing strategies and deliver value engineering solutions.
- Strong track record in post-tender negotiations and contract award processes.
- End-to-end tender lifecycle experience, from pricing to mobilisation.
- Strong working knowledge of standard forms of contract.
- Experience presenting commercial proposals at senior leadership level.
- Ability to manage multiple bids under demanding deadlines.
- Demonstrable leadership experience in building high-performing teams.
- Experience at Head of / Senior Manager level within a large contracting or housing services organisation.
- Familiarity with sector-standard estimating systems and analytical tools.
- Professional qualification in Quantity Surveying or Construction Management.
- Strategic commercial thinker with strong influencing capability.
- Excellent communicator, able to simplify complex commercial reasoning.
- High numerical accuracy and attention to detail.
- Proactive problem solver committed to continuous improvement.
- Collaborative leader with a passion for developing people.
- Family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and much more.
- 25 days annual leave plus.
Head of Brand Experience employer: Howells Solutions Limited
Contact Detail:
Howells Solutions Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Brand Experience
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. We want you to be able to discuss how your skills align with their goals, especially in areas like pricing strategy and value engineering.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to clearly articulate your experience in social housing estimating and your leadership style. We suggest doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your delivery.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Brand Experience
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Estimating role. Highlight your experience in social housing estimating and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this is a senior role, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've built high-performing teams or influenced strategic decisions in previous positions. We love seeing strong leaders in action!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make your achievements stand out. We appreciate straightforward communication that gets right to the heart of your experience.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Howells Solutions Limited
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Estimating, you'll need to demonstrate your numerical accuracy and attention to detail. Brush up on key metrics and cost models relevant to the role. Be prepared to discuss how you've developed pricing strategies in the past and how you approach value engineering.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership capabilities. Think of examples where you've built high-performing teams or influenced strategic decisions. Be ready to share how you’ve managed multiple bids under tight deadlines and what strategies you used to ensure success.
✨Understand the Commercial Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current trends in social housing estimating and the NHF Schedule of Rates. Being able to discuss these topics will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also passionate about driving excellence in tendering.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle risks. Prepare scenarios where you've had to make tough decisions or navigate complex contract negotiations. This will help you illustrate your strategic thinking and commercial acumen.