Estimator/Cost Planner

Estimator / Cost Planning Manager - Manchester

Salary: Up to £75,000 + package

The Estimator / Cost Planning Manager plays a pivotal commercial role, leading pre‑construction cost planning, shaping bid strategy, driving value engineering and managing commercial risk on major tenders. You'll act as a key commercial voice in client negotiations and a trusted liaison with external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Cost Planning

Develop and utilise preferred cost‑planning software and tools

Take off quantities using Bovis measurement software

Work with the commercial team to secure market prices and benchmark against cost plan allowances

Prepare and analyse preliminaries for Stage 1 and Stage 2 bids

Integrate programme, methodology, phasing and buildability into cost plans

Quantify and price cost plans from feasibility through to contract award

Build rates from first principles (desirable)

Forecast trade inflation accurately

Manage external consultants (EQ BoQ Consultancy) from appointment to quality control

Assess subcontractor proposals

Prepare design fees with Design Manager support

Produce tender documentation and cost plan commentary

Provide commercial inputs to Bid Managers for written tender responses

Clearly document scope, assumptions and pricing throughout all stages

Design & Cost Control

Support project teams with change control and major variations

Ensure design development aligns with cost plan assumptions, briefs, target metrics and benchmarks

Bidding & Strategy

Lead or support bids depending on project scale

Ensure cost plans comply with brief, authority, financier and client requirements

Data & Analytics

Support updates to design and cost KPIs

Maintain benchmarking data across cost, design and programme

Contribute to best practice, standards, knowledge bases and sector benchmarks

Produce written narratives explaining insights and cost plan justification

Credentials

Valid CSCS card

Working towards or holding MRICS / MCIOB

Essential Skills

Team influence and leadership

Ability to read drawings and construction information

Data analytics capability including PowerBI

Document control proficiency

Negotiation and presentation skills

Problem‑solving and process compliance

Quantity take‑off

Strong commercial acumen

Tendering medium-high value subcontract packages

Time management and prioritisation

Value engineering capability

Strong written and verbal communication

Essential Knowledge

Value engineering within the design process

Allocation of scope to trade packages

Ability to produce detailed prelim forecasts

Understanding of cost planning procedures and reporting tools

Knowledge of procurement routes and RIBA design processes

Essential Experience

Experience across Stage 1 and Stage 2 bid phases

Reviewing subcontractor tender offers and commercial analysis

Building inflation models and calculations

Coordinating multiple trade packages into a master cost plan / BoQ

Managing internal resources to meet deliverables

Preparing cost plans across RIBA stages

Presenting to stakeholders

Using benchmarking data for reviews and client presentations

Behaviours

Flexible, open and collaborative

High attention to detail and thoroughness

Analytical thinker

Takes ownership of reporting and key templates

Provides constructive challenge and feedback

What We Provide

Car allowance

Flexible & hybrid working

Up to 10% employer pension contribution

Private medical cover

Life assurance

25 days annual leave with buy/sell options

3 wellbeing days

Health & wellbeing initiatives

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Discounted access to 2,500+ gyms nationwide