Lead Estimator

Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) is looking for an exceptional Lead Estimator to drive cost modelling and estimating excellence across the nationally significant Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) Programme — one of the UK’s most important long‑term environmental infrastructure projects.

This is a rare opportunity to lead estimating strategy at national scale. You’ll own and evolve our cost estimating frameworks, deliver high‑quality whole‑life cost models, and influence investment decisions that shape the future of nuclear waste management for generations.

As our Lead Estimator, you’ll set the standard for estimating best practice, lead and develop a growing team, and work closely with programme leaders, commercial specialists, regulators and technical experts across engineering, science and delivery. Your insight will underpin business cases, risk analysis, commercial decisions and strategic planning across the GDF and wider NWS portfolio.

If you’re driven by purpose, thrive in complex major programmes, and want your expertise to make a national‑level impact, this is your next step.

What you’ll lead:

• The estimating and cost modelling function for one of the UK’s most complex infrastructure programmes
• Development and continuous improvement of estimating processes, tools and governance
• Delivery of transparent, auditable whole‑life cost models that inform investment and regulatory engagement

What you’ll bring:

• Proven experience delivering major programme estimating within complex project controls environments
• Strong technical capability in estimating methodologies, modelling, risk and change
• Ability to analyse, challenge and communicate complex cost models to diverse audiences
• Leadership skills with the ability to develop people, processes and capability
• Resilience, adaptability and confidence working in a highly regulated, multi‑stakeholder environment

For employees on RWM T&C's, this role is 3-2