Lead Estimator

Position: Lead Estimator

Sector: Major Defence Infrastructure Programme

Location: East Midlands, UK – Hybrid

Type: 12 Month + Contract

The client

Our client is a leading international consultancy and delivery partner specialising in programme management, project controls, commercial management, cost consultancy and construction delivery services. Operating across major infrastructure, defence, transportation, manufacturing, aviation, energy and property sectors, the organisation supports some of the UK's most complex and high-profile capital investment programmes.

With a strong reputation for delivering large-scale projects from concept through to completion, the business provides integrated advisory and delivery solutions that help clients manage risk, optimise performance and achieve successful project outcomes. Their teams work collaboratively with public and private sector organisations, offering expertise in programme leadership, commercial strategy, cost management, procurement, planning and project governance.

Role overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Estimator to join a nationally significant defence infrastructure programme.

The role will support the planning and delivery of a major manufacturing and production facility project within a highly regulated environment.

The successful candidate will play a key role during the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase, developing robust cost estimates, supporting target cost development, and providing commercial insight to inform strategic project decisions.

Working closely with project teams, designers, commercial managers, and delivery partners, the Estimator will contribute to the successful development of a complex, high-value capital project.

This position is ideally suited to an individual with experience in major infrastructure, nuclear, defence, industrial, energy, or advanced manufacturing projects and a sound understanding of NEC4 contractual frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

* Prepare detailed cost estimates throughout project development stages, from concept design through to construction delivery.

* Develop order of magnitude, budget, elemental, and detailed estimates using available design information.

* Produce cost plans and estimate build-ups aligned to project requirements and programme objectives.

* Analyse drawings, specifications, schedules, and technical documentation to determine project costs.

* Benchmark costs against industry data and previous projects to validate assumptions. Early Contractor Involvement (ECI)

* Support commercial and project teams during ECI phases to develop realistic and deliverable target costs.

* Engage collaboratively with contractors, consultants, and supply chain partners to refine cost models and delivery strategies.

* Review contractor submissions and challenge assumptions, rates, quantities, productivity factors, and risk allowances.

* Assist in identifying value engineering opportunities and cost optimisation initiatives. • Contribute to the development of procurement and packaging strategies. NEC4 Commercial Support

* Demonstrate a working knowledge of NEC4 contracts and their impact on estimating and target cost development.

* Support commercial teams in understanding cost implications associated with NEC4 compensation events, risk allocation, and change management processes.

* Ensure estimates align with NEC4 contractual requirements and commercial frameworks.

* Assist in the preparation of cost forecasts and target cost negotiations under NEC4 arrangements. Risk & Opportunity Assessment

* Identify cost-related risks and opportunities throughout project development.

* Support risk workshops and quantify risk allowances within estimates.

* Develop contingency recommendations based on project maturity and risk exposure.

* Maintain transparent assumptions, exclusions, and estimate qualifications. Stakeholder Engagement

* Work closely with engineering, design, planning, procurement, and commercial teams.

* Present estimate outputs and cost analyses to project stakeholders and senior management.

* Support governance reviews and business case development through the provision of accurate cost information.

* Collaborate with supply chain partners to obtain market intelligence and pricing information. Reporting & Controls

* Maintain estimating databases, benchmarking information, and historical cost records.

Essential Experience

* Proven experience in estimating for major construction, infrastructure, engineering, industrial, or manufacturing projects.

* Demonstrable experience supporting projects during Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phases.

* Strong understanding of estimating methodologies and cost planning techniques.

Desirable Experience

* Experience within defence, nuclear, energy, rail, aerospace, utilities, or highly regulated sectors.

* Experience estimating large-scale manufacturing facilities, industrial plants, or complex engineering projects.

Qualifications

* Degree, HNC, HND, or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, Commercial Management, or a related discipline.

* Ideally holds a current BPSS Clearance

* SC Status is highly desired but not essential
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed