At a Glance
- Tasks: Produce accurate estimates for highways and infrastructure maintenance contracts.
- Company: Fast-growing highways business within a major international infrastructure group.
- Benefits: Up to Β£60,000 salary, company car, 25 days holiday, and flexible working.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team with real influence and long-term career opportunities.
- Qualifications: Experience as an Estimator in highways or infrastructure maintenance required.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with minimal hierarchy and strong local autonomy.
Highways / Term Maintenance (Permanent)
Location: Client will consider candidates based UK Wide (Hybrid) North West / Midlands preferred
Package & Benefits
- Salary: Up to Β£60,000 (flexible upward for the right candidate and cultural fit)
- Company Car or Car Allowance
- Pension: 10% combined contribution
- Holidays: 25 days annual leave + option to buy/sell up to 5 days
- Life Assurance: 4x salary
- Annual Bonus
- Flexible / Hybrid Working
- Long-term career opportunity within a globally established infrastructure group
The Opportunity
An established but fast-growing highways and infrastructure business is seeking an experienced Estimator to support the pricing and delivery of long-term highways term maintenance and asset management contracts. The organisation operates as part of a major international infrastructure group with multi-billion turnover, a global presence, and a dominant position across UK highways frameworks. Despite its scale, the business maintains an agile, entrepreneurial culture with minimal hierarchy and strong local autonomy.
This role will suit an estimator who enjoys ownership, accountability, and influence, and who is comfortable operating in a governance-led environment while retaining commercial agility.
The Role
Reporting directly to the Lead Estimator, you will play a key role in delivering accurate, competitive, and compliant tenders across highways and infrastructure maintenance frameworks. Key responsibilities include:
- Producing first-principles estimates for highways and term maintenance works
- Pricing long-term maintenance and framework contracts with a focus on accuracy, competitiveness, and robustness
- Supporting tender strategy, risk reviews, and governance processes
- Engaging with the supply chain to secure competitive pricing and add commercial value
- Preparing clear, auditable estimating outputs using estimating software and MS Excel
- Working closely with operational, technical, and commercial teams
- Supporting handover into delivery teams where required
- Specialist surfacing experience (micro asphalt, slurry, surface dressing) is desirable but not essential.
About You
This role is suited to an estimator who can operate confidently within governance frameworks, while also being proactive, commercially minded, and adaptable.
Essential experience:
- Proven experience as an Estimator within highways, term maintenance, or infrastructure maintenance
- Strong understanding of term service or framework contracts
- Background with a Tier 1 or Tier 2 contractor
- Strong capability in first-principles estimating
- Experience engaging with and influencing supply chain partners
- High attention to detail and strong commercial awareness
Candidates may also come from:
- Highways environments without direct term maintenance exposure
- Rail or infrastructure maintenance backgrounds with relevant framework experience
Culture & Working Environment
- Professional, collaborative, and delivery-focused
- Flat structure with no unnecessary hierarchy
- Entrepreneurial mindset encouraged
- High standards for governance, accuracy, and accountability
- A business that combines global scale with local autonomy
Interested? This is a rare opportunity to join a business that offers long-term stability, technical challenge, and genuine career progression, while operating with the pace and mindset of a smaller, agile team.
Senior Estimator in Birmingham employer: Probus Recruitment Ltd
Contact Detail:
Probus Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Senior Estimator in Birmingham
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the highways and infrastructure sector. Attend industry events or webinars, and donβt be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
β¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the companyβs recent projects and their approach to tendering. Show them youβre not just another candidate; youβre genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute to their success.
β¨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience with first-principles estimating and how it aligns with their needs. Highlight your adaptability and commercial awareness, as these are key traits theyβre looking for.
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Estimator in Birmingham
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your background in highways and term maintenance, and donβt forget to showcase any relevant projects you've worked on!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention your experience with first-principles estimating and how you can contribute to our agile culture.
Showcase Your Attention to Detail: Since accuracy is key in this role, make sure your application is free from typos and errors. A well-structured application shows us that you pay attention to detail, which is crucial for an Estimator.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. Itβs the best way for us to receive your application and ensures youβre considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Probus Recruitment Ltd
β¨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Estimator, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in first-principles estimating. Brush up on your technical knowledge and be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've produced accurate estimates in the past. This will show that you understand the intricacies of pricing long-term maintenance contracts.
β¨Engage with the Supply Chain
Since engaging with supply chain partners is crucial for this role, prepare to talk about your experience in securing competitive pricing. Think of instances where you've influenced suppliers or added commercial value, as this will highlight your collaborative skills and commercial awareness.
β¨Showcase Your Governance Mindset
This company values governance and accountability, so be prepared to discuss how you've operated within such frameworks before. Share examples of how you've balanced compliance with commercial agility, demonstrating that you can thrive in a structured yet flexible environment.
β¨Cultural Fit Matters
The organisation prides itself on its entrepreneurial culture and flat structure. Research their values and think about how your personal work style aligns with theirs. Be ready to share how youβve contributed to a collaborative team environment in previous roles, as this will help you stand out as a great cultural fit.