Job Description:

Senior Estimator – Civil Engineering

Exeter | £80,000–£90,000 + Car Allowance + Benefits | Hybrid Working

The Opportunity

We're working with a highly respected regional civil engineering contractor looking to appoint an experienced Senior Estimator to join their established team in Exeter.
This is a business with an excellent reputation across the South West, delivering a diverse range of technically challenging civil engineering projects, typically valued between £1m and £20m. This role will be taking on their larger projects so will need someone with experience to match. 
They've built their reputation on delivering quality work, maintaining strong relationships and looking after their people. They're selective about the projects they take on and have a healthy pipeline of work across the region.
For an experienced Estimator who enjoys the technical side of the job, wants genuine input into project selection and values working with good people, this is an excellent opportunity.

The Role

As Senior Estimator, you'll take a leading role in preparing competitive, commercially robust tenders across a varied portfolio of civil engineering projects.

You'll work closely with the pre-construction and operational teams, taking projects from initial enquiry through to tender submission, with a strong emphasis on first-principles estimating.

Key responsibilities include:

• Preparing detailed, accurate estimates from first principles.
• Managing tenders for civil engineering projects valued between £1m and £15m.
• Reviewing drawings, specifications and tender documentation to identify risks, opportunities and value engineering options.
• Pricing works delivered under NEC forms of contract.
• Obtaining and evaluating subcontractor and supplier quotations.
• Working closely with operational teams to develop practical construction methodologies and programmes.
• Supporting and mentoring Junior Estimators.
• Contributing to tender reviews, submissions and handovers to delivery teams.

Projects cover a broad range of sectors, including water, environmental engineering, infrastructure, bridges and structures.
About You We're looking for an experienced civil engineering Estimator who understands how projects are built, knows how to price them and enjoys being involved in winning the right work.

You'll ideally bring:

• Proven experience as an Estimator or Senior Estimator within civil engineering pricing projects £10m and above.
• A strong technical understanding of construction methods, materials and sequencing.
• Excellent first-principles estimating skills.
• A good working knowledge of NEC contracts.
• Experience across sectors such as water treatment, pipelines, Environment Agency works, rail civils, bridges or structures.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to identify and manage tender risks.
• A collaborative approach and the confidence to work with colleagues at all levels.

Above all, we're looking for someone who takes pride in their work, communicates well and enjoys being part of a successful team.

There's a lot to like about this opportunity, both in terms of the work and the people you'll be working alongside.

• Salary £80,000–£90,000
• Car allowance
• Private healthcare
• Company pension
• Hybrid working - very flexible working
• A varied portfolio of technically interesting civil engineering projects.
• A friendly, sociable and supportive working environment.
• A stable regional contractor with an excellent reputation and strong pipeline.
• The opportunity to influence project selection and play a key role in the continued success of the business.

Why Consider It?

Not every Senior Estimator wants to work for a national contractor, chase enormous frameworks or spend their working week buried in spreadsheets without ever seeing the projects they're pricing.
This opportunity offers something different.
A successful, well-run regional contractor, interesting engineering, a sensible work-life balance and a team that genuinely enjoys working together.

Interested?

Get in touch with Girling Jones for a confidential conversation about the role, the business and what makes this opportunity worth considering.