Job Description: Senior Estimator
Location: Hertfordshire (on-site)
Salary: Up to 90k + Car Allowance +Company Pension
About the Role
We are working with a leading civils business within the rail space looking for an experienced Senior Estimator to join their team. You will play a key role in leading the development of competitive and accurate cost estimates across a portfolio of rail infrastructure, drainage, utilities, and civil engineering projects.
As part of a forward-thinking pre-construction team, you will lead tender processes, develop estimating strategies, and provide commercial insight to support project success. You will work collaboratively with bid managers, planners, designers, and delivery teams to ensure all tenders are robust, feasible, and commercially aligned with business growth objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate estimating input for larger tenders, mentoring and developing junior estimators.
- Identify opportunities, risks, and value engineering options during the tender process.
- Liaise closely with the Bid Manager, Planner, and delivery teams to agree on methodology, sequencing, and key estimating principles.
- Maintain a register of key estimating assumptions and ensure comprehensive documentation of each tender submission.
- Provide indicative pricing and early-stage estimating support for business development activities.
- Obtain feedback from site teams to improve estimating accuracy and ensure up-to-date cost data.
- Prepare and present comprehensive adjudication packs outlining the basis of estimate, methodologies, and key assumptions.
- Participate in adjudication meetings, recording outcomes and ensuring follow-up actions are closed.
- Support commercial negotiations and seek amended authority as required to align with customer discussions.
- Prepare and issue detailed handover packs for operational and commercial teams at contract award.
- Support the transition of estimate data into project management systems (e.g., Rail Diary, Construction Manager).
Key requirements
- Degree qualified in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
- Chartered or incorporated status (RICS, CICES, ICE, or equivalent) preferred.
- Strong background in rail drainage, utilities, and civil engineering.
- Proven experience preparing and managing tenders up to £5 million in value.
- Confident in presenting to senior stakeholders, both internally and externally.
- Excellent analytical, research, proposal writing, and presentation skills.
- Extensive understanding of industry standards, construction methodologies, and best practices.
- Willingness and ability to travel extensively and conduct site visits as required.
