At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead estimating for high-value construction projects, ensuring competitive and accurate build costs.
- Company: Join Willmott Dixon, a top-rated company with a strong focus on sustainability and community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, career growth, and recognition as one of the best workplaces in Europe.
- Other info: Be part of a company that values innovation, partnerships, and enhancing the environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in construction while mentoring junior estimators and collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Solid experience in commercial construction estimating and proficiency in relevant software.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Senior Estimator to join our highly regarded Construction South division, based from our Weybridge office, with hybrid working available (typically three days office/Site-based and two days remote). Reporting to the Estimating Manager, you’ll take the lead in delivering accurate, robust and competitive build costs across some of our high-value projects, typically ranging from £5m to £100m+. Working collaboratively with the wider preconstruction team and supply chain, you’ll lead the estimating process from early feasibility and bid stages through to contract signing, ensuring our proposals balance affordability, value, risk and quality. This role has responsibility for mentoring more junior level estimators, while also acting as a trusted commercial advisor to customers, consultants and internal stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities:
- Commercial & Technical Assurance
- Identify value-engineering opportunities and alternative design solutions, presenting clear options that enhance value and support customer budgets.
- Proactively identify commercial and technical risks, offering practical, workable solutions throughout preconstruction.
- Lead the development of procurement strategies, ensuring key trade packages are benchmarked, aligned with design milestones.
- Interrogate subcontractor quotations in detail.
- Produce complete and comprehensive cost information packages for commercial handover.
- Supply Chain & Stakeholder Management
- Lead supply chain engagement, nurturing collaborative relationships and providing constructive feedback.
- Oversee the procurement schedule, prioritising key trades and aligning project milestones and design gateways.
- Work closely with Preconstruction Managers, Project Managers, Designers, Planners and Commercial teams.
- Act as a trusted advisor to customers and consultants, offering insight-led, data-driven guidance around cost, value and affordability.
- Attend project CRM meetings as required, ensuring accurate and timely cost information is shared.
Essential Skills:
- Solid experience operating at the Senior Estimator or Senior Cost Planner level within the commercial construction sector.
- Strong background in cost planning, estimating and commercial management across complex projects.
- Proven experience leading framework or two-stage tenders (single-stage experience also considered).
- Strong proficiency in estimating systems such as Conquest, CostX, Bluebeam and advanced Excel / MS Office Suite.
Desirable Skills:
- Experience within Education, Health, Defence or public-sector frameworks (DfE / DIO highly beneficial but not essential).
- Knowledge of construction cost data, benchmarking and cost metrics.
- Professional accreditation or working towards MRICS / MCIOB.
About Us:
With over 170 years of rich history, Willmott Dixon’s purpose is beyond profit; delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment so our world is fit for future generations. Ensuring that we add lasting value to the neighbourhoods we work in; our values, people, innovation, partnerships and focus on sustainability has allowed us to build a successful and solid privately owned business where our people can thrive.
Willmott Dixon was recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 10 "Big" Companies to Work For in 2025, named among the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2024, and ranked in the Top Five of Europe’s 1,000 best workplaces by the Financial Times in 2025. Willmott Dixon is also the first major contractor and developer to win a King's Award for Enterprise in the category of sustainable development.
Senior Estimator in Guildford employer: Willmott Dixon
Willmott Dixon is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration and innovation within the construction sector. With a strong commitment to employee growth, our Weybridge office provides hybrid working options and opportunities for mentorship, ensuring that every team member can thrive while contributing to high-value projects that make a positive impact on communities. Recognised as one of the Top 10 'Big' Companies to Work For, we foster an environment where your contributions are valued, and your career can flourish.
