At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead estimating strategy and oversee 750+ capital projects for sustainable water infrastructure.
- Company: Join Mott MacDonald Bentley, a leader in innovative water solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a focus on wellbeing.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture that values innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of water sustainability and infrastructure.
- Qualifications: Degree-qualified with experience in large estimating functions and complex projects.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Mott Mac Donald Bentley are recruiting for a Head of Estimating to join the Anglian Water @One Alliance.
As part of Anglian Water’s @one Alliance, we are on a mission to create a sustainable and resilient future for water.
With an ambitious £2.3 billion capital investment in AMP8, we are revolutionising infrastructure, sustainability, and digital transformation to protect the environment and support growing communities
The Opportunity
We are looking for an exceptional Head of Estimating to lead our estimating function across the @one Alliance during AMP8—our most ambitious investment cycle to date.
This is a high-impact strategic leadership role, responsible for shaping estimating strategy, driving commercial excellence, and supporting the successful delivery of over 750 capital projects.
You and your team will play a critical role in determining project value, performance, and risk—ensuring the right commercial outcomes for the business, our customers, and the environment.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Strategic Leadership
- Lead and evolve the estimating strategy in line with our goals for affordability, carbon reduction, and environmental performance
- Take full accountability for all estimating activities across the @one Alliance
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing estimating team
- Own and maintain the business cost base, ensuring accuracy and relevance
- Champion a culture of commercial excellence, transparency, and outperformance
- Project Delivery & Estimating
• Oversee estimates across key delivery milestones, including
- Affordability assessments and early-stage cost assurance
- Optioneering with high-level budget estimates
- Outline & detailed design estimates, combining top-down and bottom-up methodologies
- Ensure consistency, robustness, and quality across all estimate outputs
- Stakeholder Collaboration
- Work closely with internal teams including Design, Commercial, Project Management, Construction, Planning and Procurement
- Build strong relationships with supply chain partners and cost intelligence teams
- Maintain integrity of the estimating process while balancing stakeholder needs
- Cost Capture & Intelligence
- Lead all cost capture activities to enhance the business cost base
- Collaborate with commercial and procurement teams to capture accurate project data
- Use insights to improve estimating accuracy and inform regulatory submissions
- Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Drive improvements in estimating systems, tools, and processes
- Champion standard product use and challenge inefficiencies
- Support innovation initiatives with cost modelling and analysis
- People & Culture
- Develop, coach, and inspire your team to deliver high performance
- Champion diversity, inclusion, and a culture where every voice is heard
- Ensure team wellbeing, engagement, and continuous development
- Health & Safety
- Promote a strong safety culture with a goal of zero incidents
- Ensure compliance with H&S policies, audits, and reporting
- Lead by example in safe working practices
About You
Qualifications & Experience
- Degree-qualified in a relevant discipline
- Proven experience leading large estimating functions within major capital programmes (£100m+ annually)
- Background with a principal contractor on complex infrastructure or construction projects
- In depth knowledge of estimating, commercial, and financial processes
- Experience with NEC3, PSC and ECC contracts (particularly Option C)
- Demonstrated ability to influence strategic business outcomes
- Professional qualification (RICS, ICES, CIOB) desirable
Skills & Attributes
- Strategic, innovative, and proactive mindset
- Strong leadership and team development capabilities
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
- Confident in challenging and influencing senior stakeholders
- Excellent communication skills, including simplifying financial information
- Results-driven with a focus on quality and continuous improvement
- Collaborative and motivated team player
At @one Alliance, you’ll be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking team that is shaping the future of the UK’s water infrastructure.
We offer a collaborative and innovative working environment, where your expertise will be valued and your ideas will drive meaningful change.
JN Bentley benefits to be found in the booklet attached.
Head of Estimating - @One Alliance in Peterborough employer: JN Bentley Experienced Careers
At Mott MacDonald Bentley, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and innovative work environment that empowers our employees to make a real impact in the water infrastructure sector. As the Head of Estimating, you will lead a high-performing team while enjoying opportunities for professional growth, collaboration, and a strong commitment to sustainability and community support. Our culture champions diversity, inclusion, and employee wellbeing, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued as we work together towards a sustainable future.
Contact Details:
JN Bentley Experienced Careers Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Estimating - @One Alliance in Peterborough
✨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!
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✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Estimating - @One Alliance in Peterborough
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.
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How to prepare for a job interview at JN Bentley Experienced Careers
✨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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
