Estimating Manager

Overview

Senior Estimating Manager role leading estimating services for major infrastructure projects across the UK. You will mentor a small team across Glasgow and Edinburgh and engage directly with clients and project teams. The role combines technical estimating, leadership and business development in a high-profile, multi-sector environment. You will shape cost estimation through first‑principles methods and risk-informed planning, contributing to delivery and capability building in a respected consultancy.

Responsibilities

• Lead estimating services for major infrastructure and complex projects
• Develop and review estimates from Class 5 to Class 1
• Produce and assure first-principles estimates, take-offs, and direct/indirect costs
• Lead estimate reviews, assurance and quality processes
• Develop cost breakdown structures and assess deliverability
• Apply risk, contingency and estimating assumptions
• Use benchmarking and historic data to validate estimates
• Prepare Basis of Estimate documentation and client submissions
• Mentor and develop estimators across Glasgow and Edinburgh
• Act as senior technical contact for clients and internal teams
• Support bids, proposals and wider business development
• Collaborate with senior leadership to enhance estimating capability and best practice

Key requirements

• Significant estimating experience within major projects or complex capital projects
• Sector experience in rail, nuclear, defence, ports, highways, aviation, water, power, renewables or wider infrastructure
• Strong experience leading complex estimates and mentoring teams
• First-principles and bottom-up estimating capability
• Knowledge of indirect costs, cost breakdown structures, risk and contingency
• Experience reviewing and challenging estimates produced by others
• Team leadership, management or mentoring experience
• Strong client-facing and stakeholder-management skills
• Experience in multidisciplinary project environments
• Commercial awareness and contractual understanding
• Degree or equivalent in Estimating, QS, Engineering, Construction or related discipline
• Chartership with RICS/ICE/AACE/ACostE or progress towards it advantageous
• Ability to obtain security clearance when required

• Client-facing and stakeholder-management
• Team leadership and mentoring
• Strong communication and collaboration
• First-principles estimating
• Bottom-up estimating
• Cost breakdown structures

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