Senior Estimator in Southampton

The Senior Estimator is responsible for managing and preparing competitive tenders and framework submissions from first principles for construction projects, both new construction and refurbishment. The Senior Estimator coordinates and challenges the input from the wider team including procurement, contracts management and commercial.

Key responsibilities:

• Takes a lead role in successfully tendering projects ranging in value.
• Takes an active part in post tender interviews, presentations and negotiations with customers and ensures successful handover to delivery teams following award.
• Supports the ongoing development of Stepnell’s position in its key sectors.
• Supports all bid team members in the production of tenders.
• Has professional communication skills, with the ability to liaise confidently with internal and external customers, fellow colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Has time management skills and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Is experienced in producing tenders for complex schemes ranging in value from £1 million to £30 million over various sectors/procurement and contract types.
• Has knowledge of the local supply chain and continually builds relationships with them, including looking for new supply chain partners.
• Builds and influences relationships with clients and consultants.

Work Winning and Tenders:

• Has a network of clients and consultants who discuss ongoing opportunities with them.
• Develops tender strategy and continuously monitors.
• Prepares accurate and competitive cost estimates and, where required, cost plans.
• Identifies and understands our customers’ needs.
• Builds effective relationships to establish two-way dialogue with internal and external parties, including customers and supply chain members.
• Seeks to establish professional trust and mutual respect.
• Effectively communicates bid strategy and solutions to Stepnell Directors and construction teams.
• Influences and supports suppliers and subcontractors to innovate and achieve optimum solutions.
• Adds value with subcontractors through regular one-to-one reviews and to capture their innovation.
• Attends post-tender negotiations when required.
• Learns to develop the tender strategy.
• Developments business development acumen and is recognised by clients as ‘someone to discuss procurement options with’.
• Takes responsibility and ownership of individual tenders.
• Can cost plan solutions.
• Can achieve the ‘best net price’.
• Is transparent on project risks and opportunities allowing senior managers and directors to freely adjudicate.
• At adjudication, has three quality prices for all key packages.
• At adjudication, has a fully scheduled risks and opportunities register primed.

Construction:

• Seeks opportunities to learn about changes and innovations within the industry.
• Hands over to the construction team ensuring all information is provided and all ideas, VE, risks and opportunities are fully understood.

Financial and Reporting:

• Collates targeted feedback on tenders and provides feedback for future tenders.
• Ensures risk register is applied and monitored.
• Effectively communicates bid strategy and solutions to Stepnell Directors and construction teams.

Systems and Quality:

• Supports bid management and quality submission requirements.
• Ensures compliance and adherence to company procedures for the production of enquiries and tenders.
• Has a full working knowledge of estimating software systems and ensures upgrades are understood and implemented.
• Closely liaises with other business units for best practice and lessons learnt and proactively drives a culture of innovation and improvement.

People Management:

• Influences and supports team members to innovate and achieve optimum solutions.
• Provides guidance and support to other members of the work winning team.

Why Stepnell:

At Stepnell, we’re passionate about empowering our people to thrive. We believe in building fulfilling and rewarding careers by investing in talent, nurturing growth, and inspiring innovation. With the prestigious Investors in People Gold accreditation, we’re proud to place our people at the heart of everything we do. Every team member is valued, and curiosity and collaboration are central to our team culture. We’re committed to enabling our people to make a real impact and drive meaningful change throughout our business. To show our appreciation, we offer generous and competitive benefits including, an enhanced pension scheme with a Stepnell contribution of 7% to help secure your financial future, annual leave that increases with service and the flexibility to purchase more, a market leading employee referral scheme, and for eligible roles comprehensive health coverage, adjustable start and finish times and a car allowance or company car. Join us in a collaborative and inclusive environment where your well-being is our priority, and your contributions are truly valued.

About Stepnell:

As a family-owned business with over 155 years of history, Stepnell is built on stability, trust, and long-term thinking. We make decisions with the future in mind for our people, our clients, and our communities. Our capabilities span construction, property development, energy solutions, joinery, and concrete repair, allowing us to offer integrated services that meet a wide range of client needs. Operating through seven regional offices in Rugby, Nottingham, Liverpool, Wantage, Bristol, Southampton, and Poole and across three core business units, we maintain a strong local presence while delivering consistently high standards. Today, repeat clients account for 75% of our turnover a testament to our reliability and the quality of our relationships.