At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead tendering and pricing for exciting construction projects in a dynamic pre-construction environment.
- Company: Join a leading contractor specialising in innovative concrete structures.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to mentor junior staff.
- Other info: This is a unique opportunity focused solely on pre-construction, not site management.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in pre-construction while developing your skills in a fast-paced team.
- Qualifications: Experience in civils or structural concrete with strong client-facing communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 85000 £ per year.
Senior Estimator / Estimator – Pre-Construction Commercial
Salary
- Start: January
- Division: Pre-Construction / Concrete Structures
- Overview
Our client, a leading contractor specialising in RC frame, groundworks and complex basement structures, is seeking to appoint an Estimator or Senior Estimator to join their Pre-Construction Commercial team.
This is a key strategic hire to replace a senior member of the department in January, with an expectation that the successful individual will quickly take ownership of tenders, support junior staff and develop into a senior presence within the team.
The role is suited to a commercially minded QS/Estimator who can confidently engage with clients, present pricing, challenge assumptions and operate effectively in a fast-paced tendering environment.
This is not a traditional site QS role, it is fully pre-construction focused, covering tendering, pricing, scope interrogation and package management.
Key Responsibilities
- Tendering & Pricing
- Lead or support pricing for RC frame, groundworks, basement and temporary works packages.
- Deliver tenders within typical 4-week cycles, managing up to 10 tenders per month.
- Build and manage pricing spreadsheets, including collating and analysing subcontractor quotations.
- Identify scope gaps, clarifications and commercial or technical risks.
- Produce clear, structured cost breakdowns for internal review and client presentations.
- Pre-Construction & Client Interface
- Attend and contribute to client meetings, explaining pricing rationale and cost drivers.
- Present tender submissions and respond confidently to commercial or technical questions.
- Challenge incomplete tender information and proactively request missing details.
- Support bid strategy development, including value engineering opportunities.
Package & Scope Management
- Manage pricing and scope analysis for packages including scaffolding, piling, RC frame, basements and temporary works.
- Interrogate drawings and specifications to ensure accuracy of pricing.
- Compare, rationalise and negotiate subcontractor prices.
- Maintain clear documentation and pricing audit trails.
- Team & Leadership
- Support and mentor junior estimators where required.
- Take responsibility for tender ownership and task allocation.
- Step into a senior role within the pre-construction team during the transition period.
- Maintain strong organisation, communication and commercial standards.
Experience Required
- Experience as a QS or Estimator within civils, RC frame, groundworks or structural concrete.
- Strong understanding of slipform, jumpform, basement works, temporary works and concrete structures.
- Proven ability to price RC frame and groundworks packages, someone who understands concrete
- Confident in client-facing communication and commercial discussions.
- Ability to discuss methodology, buildability and sequencing at a pre-construction level.
- Strong Excel and pricing competency.
- Attributes & Behaviours
- Confident, articulate communicator as this is a client facing role.
- Comfortable challenging assumptions and asking open questions.
- Commercially aware with a strong pre-construction mindset.
- Organised, proactive and able to take ownership of workload.
- Professional presence suitable for client meetings and presentations.
- What This Role Is Not
- Not a live-site QS role.
- No valuations, monthly applications or site commercial management.
- No requirement for daily site presence.
This is a pure pre-construction role focused on pricing, tenders and commercial clarity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Estimator - £70,000 - £85,000 A Year in London
✨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 Keyman Personnel, 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 Estimator - £70,000 - £85,000 A Year at Keyman Personnel.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Estimator - £70,000 - £85,000 A Year in London
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 Keyman Personnel
✨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!
