Senior Estimator

Overview

As Senior Estimator you will lead the tendering process to secure profitable, sustainable workloads. You will collaborate with preconstruction and operations to price accurately across multiple procurement routes and manage risk throughout the tender lifecycle. You will influence design, drive value engineering, and mentor junior estimators while ensuring timely, compliant submissions. This role sits at the core of delivering critical projects for Tilbury Douglas across diverse sectors.

Pay / Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Car Allowance
• 26 days annual leave
• Private medical insurance
• Defined contribution pension
• Enhanced maternity/paternity/parental leave

Responsibilities

• Lead appraisal of tender documentation to identify risks, opportunities and commercial drivers
• Develop and agree bid strategies with senior management and the bid team
• Oversee preparation and issue of enquiries, including supply chain engagement and selection
• Review site conditions and conduct site visits to identify constraints and risk factors
• Contribute to design development and lead design team meetings as required
• Prepare and manage Bills of Quantities and detailed cost estimates, including preliminaries
• Develop comprehensive budgets and cost plans aligned with client/business objectives
• Analyse and adjudicate subcontractor quotations for compliance, competitiveness and value
• Lead management of technical queries to ensure pricing is based on well-developed design information
• Proactively manage risk throughout the tender period, owning the tender Risk Register
• Drive value engineering during design phase, especially on Design & Build projects
• Present tender submissions at settlement meetings with clear commercial positions and risks
• Ensure timely, compliant submission of all tender documentation
• Provide leadership and development support to junior estimators
• Ensure structured handover to delivery team upon project award
• Support Business Continuity Planning ensuring team awareness of responsibilities

Key requirements

• Significant analytical estimating experience across multiple sectors (industrial, commercial, education, healthcare) on projects typically up to and beyond 20m
• Strong knowledge of procurement routes including traditional, partnering, Design & Build (two-stage tenders) and frameworks
• Proven ability to lead complex tender processes and influence bid strategy
• Proficiency in Conquest estimating software and strong Excel/Office skills
• Solid understanding of Building Regulations and industry standards
• Experience in cost planning, budget preparation and value engineering
• Awareness and practical understanding of BIM and interrogating 3D models
• Strong commercial awareness and risk management capability
• Excellent numerical/analytical skills with high attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and also lead/collaborate within a team
• Strong communication and presentation skills with senior management
• Ability to work under pressure with multiple deadlines; proactive and solutions-focused
• Commitment to continuous professional development and mentoring others

• communication and presentation
• leadership and mentoring
• proactive problem-solving
• Conquest estimating software
• Microsoft Excel
• BIM awareness and model interrogation

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