Estimator/Cost Planner

Estimator/Cost Planner

Full-Time 40000 - 50000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
Royal BAM Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Shape projects with insightful cost guidance and collaborate across teams.
  • Company: Join BAM, a leading construction company focused on sustainability.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and extensive benefits package.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in construction while developing your career.
  • Qualifications: Experience in estimating or cost planning within construction is essential.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.

Building a sustainable tomorrow BAM UK & Ireland is recruiting an Estimator/Cost Planner to join the North Construction segment. The role can be based from our Manchester, Leeds or Newcastle office with flexible working arrangements supporting a balanced and inclusive work schedule. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with strong commercial acumen and sector-specific experience to shape projects through accurate, insightful cost guidance. You will play a key role in the successful conversion of work through early-stage feasibility, design development, and tender submission. Working collaboratively across our Preconstruction, Design, Project Management, and Operations teams, you will help ensure projects are commercially robust, competitive, and deliverable. These will commonly be in the range of £15-100m on a variety of contract types and procurement routes.

Making Possible

Reporting to the Regional Estimator, you will be responsible for supporting our preconstruction and tendering activities, including:

  • Feasibility & Early Cost Planning
    • Reviewing feasibility studies to determine project affordability
    • Developing benchmarked and data driven early-stage cost plans
    • Supporting framework submissions and strategic bids
    • Producing, maintaining, and updating cost plans throughout design development
    • Identifying risks, opportunities, and potential funding gaps
    • Collaborating with the design team to ensure cost alignment with client budgets
  • Market Testing & Tendering
    • Abstracting tender information into structured work packages
    • Preparing and issuing enquiries to the supply chain
    • Managing responses, analysing quotations, and normalising costs for comparison
    • Providing mid-tender commercial updates on forecast cost position
    • Attendance at mid/post tender interviews with the Client team on bids under consideration
  • Final Tender Preparation
    • Preparing robust detailed estimates from RIBA Stage 3+/4 information
    • Presenting the final tender sum and commercial position at adjudication meetings
    • Supporting bid governance and sign-off procedures
    • Production of handover documentation to Project Surveyors on successful bids

What’s in it for you?

In addition to an attractive salary we offer a significant benefits package which could include:

  • Competitive salary
  • Company Car or Car allowance
  • A wide range of family friendly policies
  • 8% matched pension contributions
  • Private healthcare
  • Life assurance
  • 26 days holiday
  • 2 wellbeing days
  • 1 volunteering day
  • Personal and professional development
  • Flexible benefit pot

What do you bring to the role?

We are looking for someone with:

  • Sector experience in Healthcare, Education, and other Social Infrastructure schemes, such as Leisure or Public and Cultural buildings.
  • Relevant experience in a similar role with proven experience in estimating or cost planning within the construction industry.
  • Strong commercial insight and sound judgement
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
  • Experience working with digital design models, BIM, and modern estimating technologies
  • Ability to measure and produce quantities from drawings or BIM models for incorporation in tender enquiries.
  • Strong communication skills with a collaborative, team orientated mindset
  • Ambition to grow, develop, and progress within BAM
  • A sincere team work ethic
  • A considered approach to chairing meetings and developed interview techniques for discussion with subcontractors
  • A detailed understanding of the different elements of tender documents, including reading and reviewing tender strategy, identifying key risks and opportunities.
  • Ability to work efficiently in order to meet deadlines
  • A relevant construction or quantity surveying qualification at further-education level.

About BAM

Building a sustainable tomorrow. That’s our mission and our promise at BAM. It’s how we engineer vital infrastructure and construct high-quality buildings as one of the largest construction companies in Europe. We strive to create an environment where everybody feels welcome and valued. We’re on an exciting journey to employ the best talent to join us regardless of social background, race, colour, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability or other characteristics.

The application process

BAM is committed to ensuring a fully inclusive recruitment and onboarding process, so if at any time you feel you may need any reasonable adjustments, do not hesitate to speak with one of our team, and we will do our best to support you.

Estimator/Cost Planner employer: Royal BAM Group

BAM UK & Ireland is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Manchester, Leeds, or Newcastle with flexible working arrangements that promote a balanced and inclusive culture. Employees benefit from a comprehensive package including competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, private healthcare, and opportunities for personal and professional development, all while contributing to meaningful projects that shape sustainable infrastructure. Join us to be part of a collaborative team where your expertise in estimating and cost planning will directly impact the success of significant construction projects across various sectors.

Royal BAM Group

Contact Detail:

Royal BAM Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Estimator/Cost Planner

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the construction industry, especially those who work at BAM or similar companies. Attend industry events or join online forums to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of cost planning and estimating. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how you tackled challenges. Show off your analytical skills and commercial insight!

Tip Number 3

Don’t just apply through job boards; head over to our website and submit your application directly. This shows your genuine interest in BAM and gives you a better chance of standing out from the crowd.

Tip Number 4

Follow up after interviews with a thank-you email. It’s a simple gesture that can leave a lasting impression. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them why you’re the perfect fit for the Estimator/Cost Planner role.

We think you need these skills to ace Estimator/Cost Planner

Commercial Acumen
Cost Planning
Feasibility Studies
Benchmarking
Risk Identification
Tendering
Analytical Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Estimator/Cost Planner role. Highlight your relevant experience in estimating or cost planning, especially in sectors like Healthcare or Education, to show us you’re the right fit!

Show Off Your Skills:Don’t forget to showcase your analytical and problem-solving skills! We want to see how you’ve used these in past roles, especially when it comes to managing costs and collaborating with teams.

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and qualifications at a glance.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and helps us get to know you better!

How to prepare for a job interview at Royal BAM Group

Know Your Numbers

As an Estimator/Cost Planner, you’ll need to demonstrate your strong analytical skills. Brush up on your knowledge of cost estimation techniques and be ready to discuss how you’ve applied them in previous roles. Prepare examples of how you’ve developed cost plans or managed budgets in past projects.

Understand the Project Lifecycle

Familiarise yourself with the different stages of project development, especially RIBA stages 3 and 4. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to each phase, from feasibility studies to final tender preparation. Showing that you understand the entire process will impress your interviewers.

Collaborate and Communicate

Since this role involves working closely with various teams, highlight your collaborative mindset. Think of examples where you’ve successfully worked with design teams or project managers to align costs with client budgets. Good communication skills are key, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect technical questions related to estimating software, BIM, and modern technologies used in construction. Brush up on your Microsoft Excel skills and be ready to discuss how you’ve used digital tools in your previous roles. Showing proficiency in these areas will set you apart from other candidates.