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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead estimating and cost management for exciting geotechnical projects.
- Company: Join a UK market leader in Geotechnical Engineering with a people-focused culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, extensive benefits, and opportunities for career progression.
- Why this job: Shape bid strategies and make impactful decisions in a growing company.
- Qualifications: Experience in geotechnical engineering or cost management; degree-qualified preferred.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with visible career growth and support for team development.
Location: Birmingham (Agile Working)
Salary: £60,000 - £70,000 + Extensive Benefits Package
The Opportunity
We are representing a UK market leader in Geotechnical Engineering and Ground Investigation, recognised for technical authority, commercial rigour, and a strong, people-focused culture. As part of a planned and sustained growth strategy, the business is strengthening its commercial and bidding capability. This newly enhanced role offers an experienced Senior Estimator / Cost Engineer the opportunity to take a leading position in shaping bid strategy, pricing, and commercial performance across a diverse and technically complex portfolio of ground investigation works. This is a senior appointment with real influence over which projects are bid, how they are priced, and how commercial risk is managed.
The Role
Reporting into senior commercial leadership, you will provide end-to-end commercial and estimating leadership from early engagement through to project handover. You will operate at the centre of the business, working closely with operations, business development, and senior management.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leadership of estimating, cost planning, and commercial management for geotechnical and ground investigation projects
- Ownership of bid governance, ensuring tenders are accurate, competitive, contractually compliant, and aligned with agreed margin and risk targets
- Managing incoming tender enquiries, prioritisation, and client expectations around turnaround times
- Contributing to bid/no-bid decisions, including responsibility for small to medium projects and input into major bid approvals
- Participation in commercial and pricing strategy discussions based on workload, market conditions, and business objectives
- Ensuring effective handover from bid stage to project delivery teams, maintaining commercial continuity
- Acting as a senior commercial point of contact for key clients and tender interviews
Technical & Commercial Capability
- Preparation of detailed cost estimates covering drilling, in-situ testing, laboratory testing, plant, preliminaries, and specialist subcontractors
- Strong working knowledge of NEC3/4 and ICE conditions of contract, including risk allocation and compensation events
- Awareness of CDM Regulations, Health & Safety requirements, and commercial risk mitigation
- Experience using estimating software such as Eque2 Evaluate or similar advantageous
- Ability to interpret or review logic-linked programmes (MS Project, P6 or equivalent) beneficial
Leadership & People Management
- Line management, workload planning, and performance oversight of estimating / commercial team members
- Identification of training and development needs to support team growth and capability
- A collaborative leadership style, able to influence across disciplines
About You
- Proven experience in geotechnical engineering, ground investigation, or a closely aligned enabling works environment
- Strong background in estimating, cost engineering, quantity surveying, or commercial management
- Confident commercial decision-maker with a track record of driving positive financial outcomes
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust with clients and internal stakeholders
- Degree-qualified in a relevant technical discipline (quantity surveying, geotechnical engineering, engineering geology, geology, civil engineering) or equivalent demonstrable industry experience
Why Apply?
- Join an industry-leading business with a strong UK reputation and secure forward workload
- Play a key role in shaping the commercial and bidding function during a period of growth
- Genuine, visible career progression beyond traditional estimating roles
- A people-centric employer known for investing in its teams and promoting from within
- An ideal move for professionals feeling constrained, overlooked, or frustrated in less ambitious organisations
If 2025 has been a year of limited progression or influence, this role offers a clear, credible step forward within a business that values expertise, leadership, and long-term thinking.
Estimator / Cost Engineer in Birmingham employer: Russell Taylor Group Ltd
Contact Detail:
Russell Taylor Group Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Estimator / Cost Engineer in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the geotechnical engineering field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their recent bids and commercial strategies. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience in estimating and cost engineering clearly and confidently. Highlight specific examples of how you've managed risks and driven positive financial outcomes in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Estimator / Cost Engineer in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Estimator / Cost Engineer role. Highlight your relevant experience in geotechnical engineering and cost management, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills!
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 specific projects or experiences that align with the job description and show us your passion for the industry.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: We want to see your technical prowess! Be sure to mention your experience with estimating software and your knowledge of NEC3/4 contracts. This will help us understand how you can contribute to our team right from the start.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Russell Taylor Group Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Estimator or Cost Engineer, you’ll need to be on top of your game with numbers. Brush up on your cost estimation techniques and be ready to discuss specific examples from your past work. This shows you not only understand the theory but can apply it practically.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with current market conditions and trends in geotechnical engineering. Being able to discuss how these factors influence pricing and bidding strategies will demonstrate your commercial awareness and strategic thinking.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to NEC3/4 and ICE conditions of contract. Review key concepts and be prepared to explain how you’ve managed risk allocation and compensation events in previous projects. This will highlight your expertise and confidence in the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading teams and influencing decisions, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects. Discuss your collaborative leadership style and how you’ve contributed to positive outcomes in past roles.
