Laing O'Rourke
Senior Estimator

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Location: Sale, Manchester / Project-based
We are seeking an experienced Senior Estimator to secure and develop a strong, profitable workstream for the business. The role has full responsibility for estimating processes, providing expert commercial insight, and adding value through innovative solutions, digital engineering, and technical expertise. You will interface confidently across the business and with external stakeholders to support successful work winning.
Key Responsibilities
- Secure profitable opportunities by preparing high-quality, timely, and competitive bids aligned with LOR Group requirements
- Lead the estimating function across bids, taking ownership of less complex tenders and supporting large or complex projects
- Drive the value proposition across opportunities, including Self Delivery, Digital Engineering (DE), and DfMA initiatives
- Utilise estimating software and Digital Engineering tools to promote efficiency and consistency
- Apply lessons learned and feedback from live and recently completed projects
- Promote innovation and competitiveness through engagement with Engineering Excellence
- Engage collaboratively with Design, Commercial, Engineering, DE, Procurement, Planning, HS&E, and EnEx.G throughout the work-winning process
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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?
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
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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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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.
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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.
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Key Deliverables & Accountabilities
- Preparation of major prime cost estimates
- Team leadership in prime cost evaluation
- Commercial analysis of subcontractor quotations
- Advice on risk, qualification, and margin finalisation
- Ensure all bids are subject to formal adjudication
- Successful post-tender negotiations
Technical Capabilities
Advanced
- Procurement strategies and mechanisms
- Package management and supply chain enquiry management
Expert
- Pricing, cost planning, and net prime cost forecasting
- Bid administration and management of the tendering process
Key Skills
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong teamwork and collaboration abilities
- Ability to work independently, use initiative, and plan ahead
- HNC or cognate degree in Construction or Civil Engineering (or equivalent experience)
- HNC / Degree in Construction or Civil Engineering
- Progression towards professional membership (RICS, CIOB, ICE, IMechE)
- Proven experience managing estimates from inception through submission, post-tender, award, and handover to delivery teams
Desired
- Previous site-based experience in an Engineering or Commercial role
- Experience leading estimating teams through the bid process
- Committed to team motivation, engagement, and maintaining a positive working environment


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About Us
Laing O'Rourke are an international engineering and construction company delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure and buildings projects for clients in the UK, Middle East, and Australia.
Certainty, reliability, quality – this is what our clients want. And at Laing O'Rourke, we have more than 150 years of experience delivering it. Laing O'Rourke's story is one of energy, passion, ambition, people, and teamwork. We harness the power of our experience, stretching back over a century and a half to deliver certainty for our clients.
As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we would like to enable access to candidates with long term conditions and disabilities through the ‘Offer an interview scheme'. This supports applicants that meet the essential criteria by offering an interview for the advertised position. Please let us know if you would like to opt in to this scheme and let us know if you require any adjustments for the interview process.
We want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you need the application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please email resourcingteam@laingorourke.com
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