At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the preparation of competitive tenders and manage risk throughout the tender lifecycle.
- Company: Join Tilbury Douglas, a leading UK building and infrastructure company with an inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and generous annual leave plus many perks.
- Other info: Opportunity for continuous professional development and mentoring junior estimators.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in construction while developing your leadership skills and expertise.
- Qualifications: HND or degree in construction, with significant estimating experience across various sectors.
The Opportunity
As Senior Estimator, you will lead the preparation and submission of high-quality, competitive tenders across a range of procurement routes.
Working closely with preconstruction and operational teams, you will play a key role in securing profitable and sustainable future workload for the business. You will apply advanced construction knowledge, commercial expertise, and leadership capability to manage risk, drive value, and ensure robust and accurate pricing throughout the tender lifecycle.
What You Will Be Doing
- Lead the appraisal of tender documentation, identifying key risks, opportunities, and commercial drivers.
- Develop and agree bid strategies in collaboration with senior management and the wider bid team.
- Oversee the preparation and issue of material and subcontract enquiries, including supply chain engagement and selection.
- Review site conditions and undertake site visits to identify constraints and risk factors.
- Contribute to and influence design development, attending and leading design team meetings where required.
- Prepare and/or manage the production of Bills of Quantities and detailed analytical cost estimates, including preliminaries.
- Develop comprehensive budgets and cost plans aligned with client and business objectives.
- Analyse and adjudicate subcontractor quotations to ensure technical compliance, competitiveness, and best value.
- Lead the management of technical queries to ensure design information is sufficiently developed for accurate pricing.
- Proactively manage risk throughout the tender period, including ownership of the tender Risk Register.
- Drive value engineering initiatives during the design phase, particularly on Design & Build projects.
- Present tender submissions at settlement meetings, clearly articulating commercial positions, key risks, and opportunities.
- Ensure timely and compliant completion and submission of all tender documentation.
- Provide leadership and support to junior estimators and contribute to their development.
- Ensure a structured and effective handover to the delivery team upon project award.
- Support Business Continuity Planning, ensuring both personal and team awareness of responsibilities.
What We Need From You
- HND, Degree, or equivalent qualification in a construction-related discipline.
- Significant experience in analytical estimating across multiple sectors including industrial, commercial, education, and healthcare, on projects typically up to and exceeding £20m.
- Strong working knowledge of various procurement routes including traditional, partnering, Design & Build (including two-stage tenders), and frameworks.
- Proven ability to lead complex tender processes and influence bid strategy.
- Proficiency in Conquest estimating software and strong capability in Microsoft Office applications (particularly Excel).
- Well-developed technical construction knowledge and understanding of Building Regulations and industry standards.
- Experience in cost planning, budget preparation, and value engineering.
- Awareness and practical understanding of BIM, including the ability to interrogate 3D design models.
- Strong commercial awareness and risk management capability.
- Excellent numerical and analytical skills with a high level of attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently while also leading and collaborating effectively within a team environment.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, with confidence in presenting to senior management.
- Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple deadlines, and prioritise effectively.
- Professional, proactive, and solutions-focused approach.
- Commitment to continuous professional development and the mentoring and development of others.
What We Can Offer You
- Competitive salary
- Car Allowance
- 26 days annual leave (with the opportunity to buy or sell up to 3 days holiday)
- 3 additional long service days achieved after 3, 7 and 10 years
- Private medical insurance for yourself (with the option to buy family cover)
- Life Assurance
- Defined contribution pension scheme matched up to 8%
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and parental leave
- 2 days volunteering opportunities
- Flexible and Agile working (dependent on your role)
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Professional membership fees
- Perks at Work Employee discount scheme offering discounts on a range of categories such as electronics, home appliances, food & groceries, car buying, travel, fitness and more
- Flexible Benefits scheme which includes the opportunity to purchase benefits such as:
- Critical illness insurance (with option to purchase for your partner)
- Dental Insurance
- Travel insurance
- Cycle to work scheme
- Retail vouchers/payroll giving/activity pass for top leisure attractions
Who We Are
Tilbury Douglas is a leading UK building, infrastructure, engineering and fit-out company. We deliver vital projects across a range of sectors including health, education, highways, justice, defence, aviation, water and environment.
It is our people who make Tilbury Douglas a success. We believe our inclusive culture encourages new ways of thinking, enabling us to innovate whilst remaining resilient. We value and celebrate all individual differences and look forward to receiving your application.
We are proud to announce that we have retained our Investors in Diversity Silver Award.
Please note that this role is subject to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance which includes identity, employment history, and criminal record checks.
Please note we do not have a sponsorship licence.
Senior Estimator (13397) employer: Tilbury Douglas
Tilbury Douglas is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, making it an ideal place for a Senior Design Leader in the vibrant city of Northampton. With a focus on professional growth, employees are encouraged to develop their skills through various training opportunities while enjoying a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. The company's commitment to excellence in complex construction projects across diverse sectors ensures that you will be part of meaningful and impactful work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Estimator (13397)
✨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 Tilbury Douglas, 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 (13397) at Tilbury Douglas.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Estimator (13397)
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 Tilbury Douglas
✨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!
