Estimator/Cost Planner

Estimator / Cost Planning Manager - Manchester

Salary: Up to £75,000 + package

The Estimator / Cost Planning Manager plays a pivotal commercial role, leading pre‑construction cost planning, shaping bid strategy, driving value engineering and managing commercial risk on major tenders. You'll act as a key commercial voice in client negotiations and a trusted liaison with external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Planning

• Develop and utilise preferred cost‑planning software and tools
• Take off quantities using Bovis measurement software
• Work with the commercial team to secure market prices and benchmark against cost plan allowances
• Prepare and analyse preliminaries for Stage 1 and Stage 2 bids
• Integrate programme, methodology, phasing and buildability into cost plans
• Quantify and price cost plans from feasibility through to contract award
• Build rates from first principles (desirable)
• Forecast trade inflation accurately
• Manage external consultants (EQ BoQ Consultancy) from appointment to quality control
• Assess subcontractor proposals
• Prepare design fees with Design Manager support
• Produce tender documentation and cost plan commentary
• Provide commercial inputs to Bid Managers for written tender responses
• Clearly document scope, assumptions and pricing throughout all stages

Design & Cost Control

• Support project teams with change control and major variations
• Ensure design development aligns with cost plan assumptions, briefs, target metrics and benchmarks

Bidding & Strategy

• Lead or support bids depending on project scale
• Ensure cost plans comply with brief, authority, financier and client requirements

Data & Analytics

• Support updates to design and cost KPIs
• Maintain benchmarking data across cost, design and programme
• Contribute to best practice, standards, knowledge bases and sector benchmarks
• Produce written narratives explaining insights and cost plan justification

Credentials

• Valid CSCS card
• Working towards or holding MRICS / MCIOB

Essential Skills

• Team influence and leadership
• Ability to read drawings and construction information
• Data analytics capability including PowerBI
• Document control proficiency
• Negotiation and presentation skills
• Problem‑solving and process compliance
• Quantity take‑off
• Strong commercial acumen
• Tendering medium‑high value subcontract packages
• Time management and prioritisation
• Value engineering capability
• Strong written and verbal communication

Essential Knowledge

• Value engineering within the design process
• Allocation of scope to trade packages
• Ability to produce detailed prelim forecasts
• Understanding of cost planning procedures and reporting tools
• Knowledge of procurement routes and RIBA design processes

Essential Experience

• Experience across Stage 1 and Stage 2 bid phases
• Reviewing subcontractor tender offers and commercial analysis
• Building inflation models and calculations
• Coordinating multiple trade packages into a master cost plan / BoQ
• Managing internal resources to meet deliverables
• Preparing cost plans across RIBA stages
• Presenting to stakeholders
• Using benchmarking data for reviews and client presentations

Behaviours

• Flexible, open and collaborative
• High attention to detail and thoroughness
• Analytical thinker
• Takes ownership of reporting and key templates
• Provides constructive challenge and feedback

What We Provide

• Car allowance
• Flexible & hybrid working
• Up to 10% employer pension contribution
• Private medical cover
• Life assurance
• 25 days annual leave with buy/sell options
• 3 wellbeing days
• Health & wellbeing initiatives
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounted access to 2,500+ gyms nationwide

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