Estimator

Role Overview

Carmichael UK is seeking an experienced and proactive  Estimator to join a specialist Civils team, working on challenging and high‐profile projects within central London. You will play a key role in defining the commercial strategy for major civils and integrated engineering works — from tender stage through to contract award — helping to continue to deliver complex excavation, basement, and heavy civil engineering solutions.

You will work closely with the Preconstruction & Commercial teams, Project Delivery teams, and other stakeholders to ensure robust, accurate, competitive and risk‐aware bids are submitted. You’ll represent the company's commercial interests and maintain our reputation for technical excellence, programme certainty, and value delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the full estimating process for civils / specialist works tenders: scope review, quantification, pricing, risk‐assessment, subcontractor input, value engineering, and submission.

• Interpret tender documents, client requirements, design development, programme constraints, construction methods and site logistics to build realistic yet competitive cost models.

• Engage early in bid strategy meetings, support Preconstruction and Design teams to develop constructable, efficient solutions and identify cost savings or innovations.

• Manage subcontractor/pre‐contract supply chain engagement: obtain quotations, evaluate options, build negotiations, and maintain subcontractor database.

• Prepare commercial highlight reports and recommendations for bid decision‐making, clearly articulating assumptions, exclusions, risks, and opportunities.

• Drive continuous improvement in estimating processes, tools, templates and cost libraries, promoting consistency, accuracy and future learnings.

• Assist in development of tender budgets, cost plans and scenario modelling for clients and preconstruction phases.

• Work collaboratively with Projects to hand‐over succeeded bids, support pricing change control / contract variations throughout delivery phase.

• Maintain awareness of market trends, material pricing, labour rates, supply chain capacity and regulatory impacts on cost and risk.

• Support the company’s objectives around technical excellence, sustainability and integrated delivery

About You

You are a commercially astute civil engineering professional with strong estimating experience in the specialist/or heavy civils sector (excavations, basements, infrastructure, etc.). You possess excellent numerical, analytical, negotiation and communication skills, able to engage across teams and drive results. You thrive in a dynamic bid environment and understand the critical link between estimating, risk, construction methods and deliverability.

You will have:

• Proven experience (typically 5–10+ years) as an Estimator or Senior Estimator within civil engineering / specialist contracting environment.

• Strong understanding of civils construction methods (e.g., bulk excavation, basement construction, diaphragm walls, piling, temporary works) and how those feed into cost and risk.

• Experience in producing detailed estimates including quantities, pricing, subcontractor sourcing, cost modelling, risk/contingency build‐up, and value engineering.

• Comfortable working with tender programmes, bid deadlines and collaborating with technical, commercial, design and project teams.

• Excellent negotiation and supplier/subcontractor engagement skills – able to build strong relationships and leverage supply chain cost competitiveness.

• Strong written and verbal communication – presenting bid rationale, cost plans and risks in clear, compelling form to senior decision‐makers.

• A structured and proactive approach, with strong attention to detail and ability to drive estimating accuracy and improvement.

• A good working knowledge of construction contracts and commercial terms (JCT, NEC etc) and risk allocation principles.

• Ability to travel to sites and supply chain meetings when required.

Qualifications & Additional Requirements

• Educated to HNC/HND or degree level in civil engineering, construction management, quantity surveying, or equivalent discipline (desirable).

• Membership of or working toward professional body (e.g., RICS, CIOB, ICE) is a plus.

• Strong MS Excel skills; experience with estimating / cost‐modelling software beneficial.

• Full UK driving licence is preferred due to site/supply chain travel.

Please provide current salary and desired salary with submission