Head of Estimating

Estimating Manager (Head of Estimating Opportunity) Strategic Leadership Opportunity | London Salary: Competitive, depending on relevant experience Location: London (Crystal Palace area – office & site-based) Full time / Permanent

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Estimating Manager / Senior Estimator to lead and build an in-house estimating function for a well-established refurbishment contractor.

You will take ownership of estimating across refurbishment, fit-out and D&B projects (£500k–£5m+), working across social housing, public sector, education and heritage schemes.

This is a unique opportunity to step into a leadership role, taking responsibility for tendering, bid strategy and building an estimating department from scratch.

The Opportunity

Lead and develop the estimating function (currently outsourced) Take full ownership of tendering and bid management Work on refurbishment, fit-out and D&B projects Operate across public sector, social housing, education and heritage sectors Work closely with senior leadership on commercial strategy and growth Introduce structure, systems and best practice into estimating This role offers senior-level responsibility with clear influence over the direction of the business.

Key Responsibilities

Prepare and manage tender submissions for refurbishment and fit-out projects Lead estimating activities from first principles (tender set-up through to submission) Review drawings, specifications and contract documentation Identify commercial risks and opportunities Build and manage subcontractor and supply chain relationships Improve tender win rates and estimating performance Support transition from outsourced to in-house estimating

Requirements

Proven experience as an Estimator / Senior Estimator / Estimating Manager Strong background in refurbishment, fit-out or D&B projects Experience delivering public sector, social housing or education schemes (heritage beneficial) Experience working on projects in the £500k–£5m+ range Ability to set up tenders from scratch, not just pricing Strong commercial awareness and technical understanding Ambition to progress into a Head of Estimating / leadership role

Why Apply?

✔️ Opportunity to build and lead an estimating department ✔️ Work on complex refurbishment and public sector projects ✔️ Clear progression into Head of Estimating ✔️ Strong pipeline across social housing, education and heritage sectors ✔️ Stable, growing contractor with long-term opportunities

Apply now or contact us for a confidential discussion