Managing Estimator

Balfour Beatty Regional Civils is seeking an experienced Managing Estimator to join our team based in either Derby, Birmingham or London, supporting a diverse portfolio of civil engineering and infrastructure projects across the Central and South East region. This is an exciting opportunity to take a leading role within our pre-construction function, influencing project success from the earliest stages and helping secure work that will shape communities for years to come.

Balfour Beatty Regional Civils is seeking an experienced Managing Estimator to join our team based in either Derby, Birmingham or London, supporting a diverse portfolio of civil engineering and infrastructure projects across the Central and South East region. This is an exciting opportunity to take a leading role within our pre-construction function, influencing project success from the earliest stages and helping secure work that will shape communities for years to come.

As Managing Estimator, you will lead and develop the estimating team, providing strategic oversight of all estimating activities across the business unit. Responsible for governance, continuous improvement, and the development of estimating capability, you will ensure the delivery of competitive, robust, and thoroughly researched estimates throughout the project lifecycle up to Gate
4. Working closely with senior leaders, clients, and project teams, you will provide an influential pre and post-contract estimating service, balancing customer needs with commercial objectives while driving quality, consistency, and profitability across a varied portfolio of Regional Civils projects. Your leadership and expertise will be instrumental in maintaining high standards, developing future talent, and positioning Balfour Beatty for continued success in an increasingly competitive market.

• Lead and manage all estimating activities across the business unit, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, competitive, and commercially robust estimates.
• Oversee the estimating function across a diverse portfolio of civil engineering and infrastructure projects throughout the Central and South East region.
• Provide strategic leadership to the estimating team, developing capability, skills, and best practice across the function.
• Ensure estimating governance, procedures, and processes are maintained and continuously improved to meet business requirements.
• Drive excellence throughout the pre-construction process, overseeing opportunities from initial engagement through to Gate 4 approval.
• Lead the preparation, review, and submission of detailed, well-researched estimates that accurately reflect project scope, risks, opportunities, and customer requirements.
• Work collaboratively with operational, commercial, engineering, planning, and business development teams to develop winning bid strategies.
• Provide influential pre-contract and post-contract estimating support to maximise profitability, quality, and service performance.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, and key stakeholders, ensuring a clear understanding of customer needs and project objectives.
• Review tender documentation, identify risks and opportunities, and develop effective commercial solutions that strengthen Balfour Beatty's competitive position.
• Ensure estimating records, benchmarking data, and lessons learned are accurately maintained and captured to support future bidding activities.
• Support business planning and work-winning objectives by contributing expertise, market insight, and commercial judgement to strategic bid decisions.
• Mentor and develop estimators within the team, fostering a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, continuous improvement, and successful project delivery.
• Champion consistency, accuracy, and innovation within the estimating function to support the continued growth and success of the Regional Civils business.

• Proven experience in a senior estimating leadership role within civil engineering, infrastructure, or major construction projects.
• A strong track record of producing and overseeing competitive, accurate, and commercially robust estimates for complex projects and frameworks.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing estimating teams, providing mentorship, guidance, and technical support.
• In-depth knowledge of pre-construction, tendering, and estimating processes throughout the project lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of…