The Opportunity
This is a senior-level estimating role within a well-established, financially secure main contractor delivering high-profile projects across the North of England. The business has a strong pipeline of secured and negotiated work and is continuing to expand its regional footprint across the North East.
You'll be joining a mature, professional pre-construction team where estimating is taken seriously - not rushed, not transactional, and not siloed from delivery. This is a role for someone who wants real influence over how projects are won, priced, and set up for success.
The position would suit an experienced Senior Estimator who enjoys working on complex, design-led schemes and wants long-term career progression.
Project Portfolio
You'll be pricing a wide range of major D&B projects, typically including:
Commercial offices
Industrial & logistics schemes
Residential & mixed-use developments
Education and healthcare buildings
Leisure and retail-led developments
Projects are generally mid to large-scale, often technically challenging, design-led, and procured via a mix of:
Two-stage tenders
Negotiated / preferred bidder routes
Framework opportunities
Select competitive tenders
Key Responsibilities
As Senior Estimator, you will:
Take full ownership of tenders from initial enquiry through to final submission and post-tender review
Lead the pricing strategy, ensuring bids are competitive, commercially robust, and aligned with business objectives
Prepare detailed cost plans, estimates, and tender adjudications
Analyse drawings, specifications, and employer's requirements to identify risk, opportunity, and value engineering options
Manage and coordinate subcontractor and supplier enquiries, ensuring quality returns and strong market coverage
Work closely with:
Pre-Construction Managers
Design Managers
Commercial teams
Operational delivery teams
Contribute to value engineering and buildability discussions, not just cost cutting
Participate in internal tender settlement meetings and senior management reviews
Support bid presentations and client meetings where required
Mentor and support Junior / Intermediate Estimators within the team
This is a role where your judgement, experience, and commercial instincts genuinely matter.
What They're Looking For
Essential:
Proven experience as a Senior Estimator or strong Estimator ready to step up within a main contracting environment
Solid background in Design & Build projects
Experience pricing schemes from £15m upwards
Strong understanding of subcontractor procurement and market testing
Ability to work across multiple tenders without sacrificing quality
Commercially astute with a pragmatic, delivery-focused mindset
Desirable:
Experience working for a Tier 1 or strong Tier 2 contractor
Familiarity with negotiated / two-stage procurement
Experience across multiple sectors (commercial, resi, industrial, etc.)
Ability to influence stakeholders rather than simply produce numbers
Culture & Working Environment
You'll be joining a business known for:
Long-term staff retention
Proper investment in pre-construction
Strong operational delivery (estimators are listened to post-award)
A collaborative, no-ego approach between estimating, design, and delivery
Package & Benefits
Competitive senior-level salary (DOE)
Car allowance or company vehicle
Annual bonus scheme
Private healthcare
Pension
Flexible / hybrid working where appropriate
Long-term career security with a strong regional pipeline