Mace
Associate Director - Estimating - Major Infrastructure

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Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey.
The project: We are currently recruiting for a talented, motivated and ambitious Commercial Manager to join our expanding infrastructure commercial consultancy team.
The estimating function shall ensure that cost plans are robust, integrated, represent value for money, and are supported by consistent internal and external benchmarking data. It will also ensure that the scope of services is held as an integrated baseline (scope, cost and time) within infrastructure project controls systems. The estimating function shall also assist in pricing risk and change values.
You’ll Be Responsible For
- Management of the estimating and cost planning process for the whole or a section of works.
- Setting an estimating plan and strategy with the team and ensuring compliance.
- Preparing Initial cost plans at pre-concept and concept stages.
- Refining the cost plans through all stages to detailed design arriving at full estimates.
- Liaising with specialists and contractors to obtain cost advice and data.
- Benchmarking both cost and functional spaces and quantities.
- Cost data analysis, including researching appropriate cost data for use within the estimates and refining to reflect project specific requirements.
- Identifying key cost drivers and briefing the team to drive design to a solution within budget.
- Producing reports at various stages.
- Working with design and construction teams and providing commercial and cost advice.
- Change control contribution to ensure budgets reflect the current scope.
- Challenge and contribute to alternative solutions to ensure budgets are maintained.
- Value management and value engineering, commercial input.
- Understanding three point estimating techniques including application of levels of uncertainty, risk, and modelling of estimates.
- Ability to produce cost plans and estimates that take into account site specific requirements, construction methods, and allowances for temporary and abortive works.
- Ability to develop estimating and cost planning risk models and assess the potential time and cost impact of same.
- Understanding of cost drivers associated with major projects and the impact these could have on cost plans and estimates.
- Ability to determine, define, and record all assumptions, exclusions, data sources, and caveats.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
You’ll Need To Have
- Degree qualified preferred - quantity surveying or appropriate related.
- Professional qualifications likely to have or preferred - RICS/CIOB/ICE.
- Estimating experience on major infrastructure projects.
- Extensive estimating or cost planning experience with a contractor or consultancy.
- Understanding and experience of estimating systems including CATO.


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Our values
- Safety first - Going home safe and well: We champion a safe, diverse and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of wellbeing in every team.
- Client focus - Deliver on our promise: We own the quality of deliverables, strategic outcomes and build long term relationships with our clients.
- Integrity - Always do the right thing: We influence positive outcomes within our industry, while always aligning with our compliance obligations.
- Create opportunity - For our people to excel: We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop.
Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all the criteria, please apply as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.
We are also open to discussing part time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable with-in the role.
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