Job Title

Senior Estimator / Estimator – Pre-Construction CommercialLocation: London / South EastSalary:• Senior Estimator: £70,000 – £85,000Start: JanuaryDivision: Pre-Construction / Concrete StructuresOverviewOur client, a leading contractor specialising in RC frame, groundworks and complex basement structures, is seeking to appoint an Estimator or Senior Estimator to join their Pre-Construction Commercial team. This is a key strategic hire to replace a senior member of the department in January, with an expectation that the successful individual will quickly take ownership of tenders, support junior staff and develop into a senior presence within the team.The role is suited to a commercially minded QS/Estimator who can confidently engage with clients, present pricing, challenge assumptions and operate effectively in a fast-paced tendering environment. This is not a traditional site QS role, it is fully pre-construction focused, covering tendering, pricing, scope interrogation and package management.Key ResponsibilitiesTendering & Pricing- Lead or support pricing for RC frame, groundworks, basement and temporary works packages.- Deliver tenders within typical 4-week cycles, managing up to 10 tenders per month.- Build and manage pricing spreadsheets, including collating and analysing subcontractor quotations.- Identify scope gaps, clarifications and commercial or technical risks.- Produce clear, structured cost breakdowns for internal review and client presentations.Pre-Construction & Client Interface- Attend and contribute to client meetings, explaining pricing rationale and cost drivers.- Present tender submissions and respond confidently to commercial or technical questions.- Challenge incomplete tender information and proactively request missing details.- Support bid strategy development, including value engineering opportunities.Package & Scope Management- Manage pricing and scope analysis for packages including scaffolding, piling, RC frame, basements and temporary works.- Interrogate drawings and specifications to ensure accuracy of pricing.- Compare, rationalise and negotiate subcontractor prices.- Maintain clear documentation and pricing audit trails.Team & Leadership- Support and mentor junior estimators where required.- Take responsibility for tender ownership and task allocation.- Step into a senior role within the pre-construction team during the transition period.- Maintain strong organisation, communication and commercial standards.Experience Required- Experience as a QS or Estimator within civils, RC frame, groundworks or structural concrete.- Strong understanding of slipform, jumpform, basement works, temporary works and concrete structures.- Proven ability to price RC frame and groundworks packages, someone who understands concrete - Confident in client-facing communication and commercial discussions.- Ability to discuss methodology, buildability and sequencing at a pre-construction level.- Strong Excel and pricing competency.Attributes & Behaviours- Confident, articulate communicator as this is a client facing role.- Comfortable challenging assumptions and asking open questions.- Commercially aware with a strong pre-construction mindset.- Organised, proactive and able to take ownership of workload.- Professional presence suitable for client meetings and presentations.What This Role Is Not- Not a live-site QS role.- No valuations, monthly applications or site commercial management.- No requirement for daily site presence.This is a pure pre-construction role focused on pricing, tenders and commercial clarity.