At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare detailed cost estimates for major rail infrastructure projects and collaborate with various teams.
- Company: Leading civil engineering contractor with a focus on rail infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car scheme, 25 days annual leave, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Work on £20m-£40m projects with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Join a flexible role with opportunities to progress in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in rail estimating and strong understanding of construction methods required.
The predicted salary is between 68000 - 82500 £ per year.
Are you a Senior Estimator with strong experience pricing rail infrastructure projects?
Do you have experience developing estimates from first principles and working closely with engineering, operational and commercial teams to develop competitive tender submissions?
Would you be interested in a highly flexible position working on major £20m-£40m rail schemes across Network Rail's CP7 frameworks, with the opportunity to progress towards Lead or Managing Estimator level?
- Location
- UK wide, with hybrid working and typically one day per week in an office or on site
- Offices
- London, Swindon, Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester
- Salary
- £68,000 to £82,500 per annum DOE + £6960 car allowance
Benefits
- Company Car scheme (car or car allowance)
- 25 days Annual Leave (and a day off for your birthday)
- Private Healthcare
- Rolling pension scheme - 5-9%
- Life Assurance cover
- Hybrid working
- Enhanced Paternity & Maternity package
Role Overview
A leading civil engineering contractor is looking to appoint an experienced Senior Estimator to join its Pre-Delivery Rail team, supporting the development and pricing of major rail infrastructure projects across the UK.
This is a highly flexible role with the successful candidate typically expected to attend an office or project site around once per week.
With offices across London, Swindon, Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester, the business can accommodate candidates based across much of the UK.
The role will report into the Managing Estimator for Rail and form part of an established estimating team comprising experienced Senior Estimators and a Graduate Estimator.
The successful candidate is likely to support projects delivered through the North West & Central framework, covering major schemes along the West Coast Main Line.
The business is also involved across a range of CP7 frameworks, meaning there is flexibility to align workload with the successful candidate's location and experience.
Projects are typically major multidisciplinary rail schemes valued between approximately £20 million and £40 million.
A significant proportion of the workload can have an Electrification & Plant bias, so previous experience pricing E&P works would be advantageous, although this is not essential.
The position will involve developing accurate and commercially robust estimates, cost plans and tender submissions.
You will work closely with project, engineering, commercial and bid teams to understand construction methodology, project constraints, risks and opportunities and translate these into detailed cost estimates.
The business is flexible around seniority for the right individual.
While the position is primarily being recruited at Senior Estimator level, an experienced candidate looking for a Lead Estimator opportunity could also be considered.
There is also a clear longer-term route towards Managing Estimator level as the team continues to develop.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare accurate and commercially robust cost estimates for major rail infrastructure projects.
- Develop detailed estimates from first principles, including labour, plant, materials, subcontract and other project resources.
- Produce analytical lump sum estimates, target costs, high-level estimates, cost plans and order of magnitude budgets.
- Review tender documentation, contractual requirements, site conditions, technical information and project constraints to establish appropriate pricing strategies.
- Prepare tender summaries, project preliminaries, costed risk registers and supporting estimate information.
- Identify and evaluate project risks and opportunities and understand their impact on the overall project cost.
- Work closely with operational, engineering, project and commercial teams to develop appropriate construction methodologies and delivery strategies.
- Analyse methodology-related costs, temporary works requirements, construction outputs and programme implications.
- Undertake detailed take-offs and develop activity schedules where required.
- Contribute to written methodologies, proposals, work plans and programme commentaries.
- Support the development of commercial strategies and profit plans alongside the Managing Estimator and Commercial teams.
- Present tender strategy, assumptions, commercial considerations, programme implications and project risks at tender adjudications.
- Identify and clearly communicate key assumptions, exclusions and clarifications prior to tender submission.
- Support bid presentations and the preparation of high-quality tender submissions.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, suppliers, subcontractors and internal stakeholders.
- Support the handover of successful tenders to project delivery teams.
- Work closely with the supply chain to obtain competitive quotations and establish appropriate project costs.
- Contribute to continuous improvement within the estimating function by sharing feedback, lessons learned and best practice across bids and projects.
- Support and provide guidance to less experienced members of the estimating team where appropriate.
Essential Requirements
- Previous estimating experience within the rail sector with either a main contractor or specialist subcontractor.
- Strong experience preparing detailed estimates from first principles.
- Experience producing cost plans, tender estimates and commercially robust submissions.
- Good understanding of construction methods, project delivery strategies and the relationship between methodology, programme and cost.
- Experience producing cost plans, tender estimates and commercially robust submissions.
- Strong understanding of civil engineering resources, costs, outputs and how these translate into overall project costs.
- Good understanding of project constraints and their impact on the cost and methodology of delivery.
- Experience identifying and assessing commercial and project risks and opportunities.
- Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, Bills of Quantities, tender documentation and other technical information.
- Experience completing detailed take-offs and activity schedules.
- HNC, HND, Degree qualification or equivalent relevant industry experience.
- Desired Requirements
- Previous experience pricing major multidisciplinary rail projects.
- Experience working on projects valued at approximately £20 million or above.
- Experience pricing rail E&P works.
- Familiarity with Candy, Causeway or similar estimating software.
- Experience contributing to tender adjudications and presenting commercial strategies.
- Experience supporting, coaching or mentoring less experienced Estimators.
This is an opportunity to join a business with significant involvement across the CP7 rail frameworks, work on major £20m-£40m infrastructure projects and benefit from a genuinely flexible UK-wide working arrangement.
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Senior Estimator employer: Randstad Cpe London
Randstad CPE London is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the public-sector procurement space. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have access to numerous growth opportunities while working in the vibrant city of Milton Keynes, known for its supportive community and modern amenities. Join us to make a meaningful impact through strategic sourcing and enjoy the benefits of a rewarding career in a regulated environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Estimator
✨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 Randstad Cpe London, 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 at Randstad Cpe London.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Estimator
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 Randstad Cpe London
✨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!
