Harbourne Associates
Estimator
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HEAD OF ESTIMATING – UTILITIES - Lancashire | Commercial
An exciting opportunity has come up for an experienced Head of Estimating to join a growing business operating across the UK utilities and infrastructure sector. The company works with some of the UK's leading blue-chip clients, delivering essential services across the clean water, wastewater, gas, multi-utilities and highways markets. This is a senior role where you'll take ownership of the estimating function, leading a national team and playing a key part in securing high-value contracts across the regulated water sector.
About the Role
As Head of Estimating, you'll be responsible for making sure the business is putting forward accurate, competitive and commercially viable bids across a range of large-scale projects and term service contracts. You'll lead the estimating team, oversee major tenders and work closely with procurement, commercial, operational teams and the wider supply chain. It's a hands-on leadership role, with plenty of scope to improve processes, develop the team and have a real influence on the way the estimating function operates.
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What You'll Be Doing
- Lead and develop a national team of technical estimators
- Oversee the preparation and submission of tenders, bids and cost plans
- Review tender documentation, identifying commercial risks and opportunities
- Check and validate pricing to ensure estimates are accurate and competitive
- Work closely with procurement to obtain competitive supplier and subcontractor pricing
- Build strong relationships with clients, consultants and the supply chain
- Support contract negotiations and help manage commercial risk
- Improve estimating processes, cost libraries, templates and systems
- Get involved in project handovers, post-bid reviews and lessons learned
- Work with suppliers to improve performance and reliability
- Make sure estimating activity follows company procedures, management systems and H&S requirements
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone with strong estimating experience within utilities, infrastructure or a similar environment, ideally with exposure to water. You'll need:
- Previous experience in a senior estimating / estimating management position
- Experience leading and developing an estimating team
- A good understanding of asset lifecycle, condition reporting and technical surveying
- Experience working on large, multidisciplinary infrastructure tenders
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to identify risk within tender documentation
- Experience working with national frameworks and large-scale contracts
- Good knowledge of estimating software, cost planning tools and Microsoft Office
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What's In It For You?
- Salary - £80k (negotiable for the right candidate)
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Company car
- Life assurance
- Death-in-service benefits
- Opportunity to take a senior position within an established and growing utilities business
- The chance to lead and shape a national estimating function
If you're currently working in utilities, water, infrastructure or a related sector and are looking for your next senior estimating position, this could be worth a conversation.
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