Senior Estimator in England

JDL Recruitment are delighted to be partnering with a global infrastructure services company who are looking for a Senior Pre-Sales Technical Estimator to join their data centre project team. This role can be based remotely in Europe or the US. The Senior Pre-Sales Consultant is a key contributor to the company’s data centre growth strategy, providing technical leadership and commercial expertise throughout the presales lifecycle.

This role is responsible for leading complex, high-value bid opportunities and developing technically compliant, commercially robust solutions across data centre passive infrastructure systems. This role is central to ensuring the company delivers high-quality, compliant, and commercially competitive passive infrastructure solutions to its data centre clients. This role supports the sales function by producing accurate project estimates and client-ready proposals aligned to specification, programme, and budget requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage bid opportunities through the full pre-sales lifecycle, from RFQ receipt to final submission.
• Act as the technical authority for data centre passive infrastructure solutions during the bid phase.
• Provide mentoring, guidance, and technical support to junior pre-sales team members.
• Receive, review, and manage client RFQs, specifications, drawings, and associated documentation.
• Coordinate internal bid activities, ensuring timely production of high-quality, client-facing deliverables.
• Assess new or revised client documentation and evaluate impacts on scope, design, risk, and cost.
• Manage and control quote revisions in response to design changes or client clarifications.
• Interpret layout drawings, project programs and produce accurate material and labour take-offs.
• Generate RFIs, detailed bills of materials (BOMs), and labour cost estimates.
• Develop comprehensive and accurate project cost models to support final bid submissions.
• Ensure all solutions and costings fully comply with client specifications, standards, and commercial requirements.
• Engage directly with clients to present solutions, support technical discussions, and promote the company’s capabilities.
• Attend client meetings and support post-tender clarification and negotiation stages.
• Ensure all RFQ and bid deadlines are met in a structured and controlled manner.
• Liaise closely with Operations, Sales, Commercial, Finance, and Health & Safety teams to ensure bid alignment and deliverability.
• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers and manufacturers to remain informed of evolving technologies, products, and best practices.

Requirements:

• Demonstrable experience delivering pre-sales support for high-value, complex projects, including double digit multi‑million euro opportunities.
• Minimum of five years’ proven experience in a pre-sales, estimating, or technical consultancy role within the industry.
• Extensive knowledge of data centre passive infrastructure systems, vendors, and supply chains.
• Strong commercial acumen with a clear understanding of cost drivers and risk management.
• Exceptional attention to detail with a structured, analytical approach to problem‑solving.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet demanding deadlines.
• Self‑motivated and capable of working independently with minimal supervision.
• Proven ability to manage and prioritise multiple concurrent opportunities.
• Confident communicator with the ability to present technical and commercial proposals to clients.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Proficient in Google Workspace applications.
• Professional certifications such as RCDD, CNIDP, or CDCP are desirable but not essential.

Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution