Senior Estimator in City of London, London

Senior Estimator – Contract (6 Months)

We are seeking an experienced Senior Cost Planner / Estimator (ideally from a main contractor background) for an initial 6-month contract. This role will lead the cost planning function across both 1st and 2nd stage tenders, playing a key part in bid strategy and project conversion.

Key Responsibilities

Bidding & Strategy

• Lead the development of cost planning strategies, programmes, and resource requirements.
• Work collaboratively across disciplines (PM, Design, Commercial, Planning, Procurement, Legal, etc.) to ensure aligned input into bids.
• Drive transparent and commercially viable solutions aligned to project and client objectives.
• Ensure cost plans are compliant with brief, authority, and stakeholder requirements.

Governance

• Manage inputs into internal governance processes and review documentation.
• Ensure all cost plans are reviewed and endorsed prior to key gateways.
• Present cost plans at management and business unit reviews.
• Maintain robust internal processes with appropriate independent checks.

Cost Planning

• Produce and manage cost plans from early feasibility (RIBA 0/1) through to contract stage (RIBA 4).
• Undertake quantification, pricing, and benchmarking across all project stages.
• Work with commercial teams to secure and analyse subcontractor pricing.
• Prepare and review preliminaries, incorporating programme, logistics, methodology, and phasing.
• Manage external consultants (e.g. BoQ providers), ensuring quality and programme adherence.
• Negotiate and assess subcontractor proposals.

Design & Cost Control

• Actively contribute to design development and value engineering processes.
• Ensure a strong “design to cost” approach, challenging solutions to meet budget targets.
• Monitor cost movement through design stages via a running change control process.
• Assess design options, risks, and opportunities, advising project teams accordingly.
• Support teams in managing variations and commercial risk.

Risk & Opportunity Management

• Identify and drive value engineering and cost optimisation opportunities.
• Assess and manage commercial risks, contingencies, and design impacts.
• Maintain awareness of market conditions and inflation, applying this to cost plans.
• Contribute to safe design and delivery processes, including risk reviews during pre-construction.

Key Requirements

• Proven experience as a Senior Cost Planner / Estimator within a main contractor environment.
• Strong experience across 1st and 2nd stage tenders.
• Ability to lead cost planning from feasibility through to contract award.
• Excellent understanding of construction methodologies, procurement, and commercial strategy.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience managing design development, risk, and value engineering processes.

This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role within a high-performing pre-construction team, contributing to the successful delivery of complex projects.

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