Location
London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
Costain Group's Transportation division has a unique opportunity for a Senior Estimator with a background in railway projects. You will be responsible for preparing pricing for tenders, bids, and other business opportunities from receipt of documents through to presentation at tender review and final submission. Reporting to the Divisional Head of Estimating or Lead/Managing Estimator, you will apply your deep knowledge and practical experience to consistently perform complex estimating tasks with minimal supervision, except in the most complex circumstances.

Key responsibilities include working closely within a bid team to prepare analytical estimates, preliminaries pricing in conjunction with the Tender Planner, and presenting estimates at bid meetings. You will manage strict deadlines and price work under various contract forms including Traditional NEC, Target Cost, Design & Build, Specification & Drawing, or ECI bids. Preparation of quantities from drawings and specifications, technical and commercial appraisal of material and subcontractor quotations, and participation in value-engineered solutions during the bid design process are essential.

Additional duties involve contributing to submission document preparation, risk identification and pricing, attending site visits during the tender period, and using estimating software to prepare detailed cost estimates. You will evaluate construction methods, prepare cash flow forecasts, and supervise subordinate estimators to meet review and submission deadlines. The role demands thorough governance, risk, and control understanding, with active participation in risk and opportunity workshops and clear communication of estimating requirements throughout the bid process.

Experience
- Extensive experience in a Senior Estimating role, preferably in medium to large value civil engineering works within rail or underground sectors.
- Proven ability to produce accurate estimating schedules, strategies, and checklists.
- Experience pricing under various contract forms including NEC, Target Cost, and Design & Build.
- Skilled in preparing quantities, analytical estimates, and pricing temporary works.
- Competent in risk management, market testing, and supplier quotation analysis.
- Strong document control and benchmarking practices.
- Ability to lead and communicate effectively within bid teams and with external contacts.

About you
- Commercially aware and a lateral thinker.
- Customer focused, open, honest, and environmentally aware.
- A positive team player with a “can-do” attitude.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrates persuasion and collaboration in bid meetings.
- Committed to continuous improvement and accountability.

Qualifications
- Essential: Degree level qualification or equivalent in Civil Engineering or a related Building discipline.
- Desirable: Chartered status.