Head of Estimating

Head of Estimating - Rainham, Essex

• 5,800 car allowance or company car + Bonus
• Hybrid working - typically 1-2 days from home depending on business requirements
• Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

The Opportunity

We are supporting an established construction business in the appointment of a Head of Estimating / Estimating Manager to lead the estimating function across three business units.

This is a senior, hands-on estimating position reporting directly to the Directors. The role has been created following the retirement of the existing Senior Estimator and will take greater ownership of the estimating function, including developing processes, supporting the team and providing greater consistency across the business.

The role remains very hands-on, with approximately 2-4 days per week focused on estimating and managing tenders , with the remainder focused on leading and developing the estimating function.

The business delivers refurbishment and fit-out projects , with project values typically ranging from 500k to 10m . The team manages multiple tenders at any one time, including competitive and some two-stage tender opportunities.

Projects span healthcare, education, government, social housing and commercial fit-out .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the estimating function across three business units.
• Remain hands-on with detailed estimating and tender preparation.
• Manage multiple tenders simultaneously across different sectors and project values.
• Prepare and review detailed cost estimates for refurbishment and fit-out projects.
• Manage competitive and two-stage tender opportunities.
• Review drawings, specifications, scopes and subcontractor quotations.
• Ensure accurate and consistent pricing throughout the tender process.
• Support the business in securing new work across a range of project values.
• Lead, support and develop the estimating team.
• Improve estimating processes, systems and consistency across the business.
• Work closely with Directors, operational teams, clients and supply chain partners.
• Provide estimating input into wider pre-construction activity.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, margin and overall estimating performance.

What We're Looking For

• Strong construction estimating experience, ideally at Senior Estimator, Estimating Manager or Head of Estimating level.
• A proven track record of hands-on tendering and estimating.
• Experience managing multiple tenders simultaneously.
• Strong refurbishment and/or commercial fit-out experience. New build experience alone will not be sufficient.
• Experience across sectors such as healthcare, education, government, social housing or commercial fit-out would be particularly relevant.
• Experience leading, managing or developing an estimating team or function.
• Strong understanding of construction costs, subcontractor pricing and tender processes.
• Comfortable working at both strategic and detailed estimating level.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Based within approximately one hour of Rainham, Essex, with the flexibility to work predominantly from the office.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be an experienced estimator who enjoys staying close to the detail rather than moving into a purely strategic or commercial leadership position.

You will be confident personally estimating and managing complex tenders while also taking responsibility for developing the wider estimating function.

This would suit an experienced Senior Estimator, Estimating Manager or Head of Estimating looking for greater ownership and influence within an established construction business.

What's on Offer

• Company car or car allowance.
• Performance-related bonus.
• 26 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Generous pension contribution.
• Life assurance.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Opportunity to take ownership of and develop an established estimating function.

Please contact Coral at DCS Engineering to apply.

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