Senior Estimator

Senior Estimator – Civil Engineering / Utilities

Location: Preston / Hybrid

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

Sector: Civil Engineering / Utilities / Water

An established and growing infrastructure business with a strong social purpose is looking to appoint an experienced Estimator to join its Pre-Contract team at its head office in Preston.

The organisation delivers engineering, construction, installation, commissioning and maintenance services across the UK water and utilities sector. With a strong pipeline of work and long-standing relationships with major water companies, this is an excellent opportunity to join a collaborative and supportive team during a period of continued growth.

The Role

As a Senior Estimator, you will be responsible for preparing accurate and commercially sound estimates for civil engineering and utilities projects. You will work closely with design and delivery teams to develop effective construction methodologies, identify risks and opportunities, and ensure tenders are delivered to a high standard and within agreed deadlines.

Key Responsibilities

• Price civil engineering activities from first principles, including labour, plant and materials.
• Analyse project information and undertake early appraisals covering construction methodology, programme and management requirements.
• Identify commercial risks and opportunities.
• Work with Design and Delivery teams to develop appropriate delivery strategies.
• Challenge proposed designs and methodologies to identify alternative construction methods, technologies and products.
• Prepare comprehensive net cost estimates, including preliminaries.
• Present estimates at internal adjudication and incorporate agreed amendments.
• Contribute to the development of the overall commercial approach.
• Review initial project appraisals against post-contract performance.
• Manage workload effectively and work flexibly within available resources.
• Demonstrate strong commercial awareness throughout the estimating process.

About You

You will be an experienced Estimator with a background in civil engineering, infrastructure, utilities or a related sector. You will have strong knowledge of market rates and the ability to build accurate estimates from first principles.

You will be methodical, organised and commercially minded, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet regular tender deadlines. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as you will work closely with internal teams, partners and other stakeholders.

Ideally, you will have:

• Experience with a Tier 1 or Tier 2 infrastructure/main contractor, ideally within civil engineering, utilities or water.
• Proven experience in estimating and pricing projects.
• Strong IT, numeracy and Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• Experience assembling estimates with or without dedicated estimating software.
• Good knowledge of pricing and quantification methodologies.
• Knowledge of best-practice construction solutions and innovative approaches to project delivery.
• Strong commercial awareness.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, particularly when working under time pressure.
• Membership of, or a relevant qualification from, a professional body such as RICS, CIOB, RIBA, ICE or CIBSE would be desirable.
• Knowledge of BES would be advantageous.

What's on Offer?

The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 26 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service.
• 6.5% employer pension contribution.
• Optional private healthcare, with the option to include family members.
• Company sick pay.
• Group Income Protection.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption, fertility, compassionate and bereavement leave.
• Hybrid and flexible working.
• Extensive learning and development opportunities.
• Free on-site gym.
• Company Doctor and 24/7 Virtual GP services.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Dedicated mental health and wellbeing support.
• Employee savings scheme.
• Long-service and special occasion recognition awards.
• A comprehensive health and wellbeing programme covering physical, emotional, financial and career wellbeing.

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to join an organisation where commercial success and social value go hand in hand. The business operates with a long-term focus, investing in its people, communities and future growth.

If you're an experienced Estimator looking for a role where you can make a genuine contribution, work alongside an experienced team and develop your career within the infrastructure and utilities sector, we'd be keen to hear from you.