Senior Estimator / Cost Engineer\n\n(Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor / Bid Manager)\n\nLocation: Birmingham (Agile Working)\nSalary: £60,000 £70,000 + Extensive Benefits Package\n\nThe Opportunity\n\nWe are representing a UK market leader in Geotechnical Engineering and Ground Investigation, recognised for technical authority, commercial rigour, and a strong, people-focused culture.\n\nAs part of a planned and sustained growth strategy, the business is strengthening its commercial and bidding capability. This newly enhanced role offers an experienced Senior Estimator / Cost Engineer the opportunity to take a leading position in shaping bid strategy, pricing, and commercial performance across a diverse and technically complex portfolio of ground investigation works.\n\nThis is a senior appointment with real influence over which projects are bid, how they are priced, and how commercial risk is managed.\n\nThe Role\n\nReporting into senior commercial leadership, you will provide end-to-end commercial and estimating leadership from early engagement through to project handover. You will operate at the centre of the business, working closely with operations, business development, and senior management.\n\nKey responsibilities include:\n\nLeadership of estimating, cost planning, and commercial management for geotechnical and ground investigation projects\n\nOwnership of bid governance, ensuring tenders are accurate, competitive, contractually compliant, and aligned with agreed margin and risk targets\n\nManaging incoming tender enquiries, prioritisation, and client expectations around turnaround times\n\nContributing to bid/no-bid decisions, including responsibility for small to medium projects and input into major bid approvals\n\nParticipation in commercial and pricing strategy discussions based on workload, market conditions, and business objectives\n\nEnsuring effective handover from bid stage to project delivery teams, maintaining commercial continuity\n\nActing as a senior commercial point of contact for key clients and tender interviews\n\nTechnical & Commercial Capability\n\nPreparation of detailed cost estimates covering drilling, in-situ testing, laboratory testing, plant, preliminaries, and specialist subcontractors\n\nStrong working knowledge of NEC3/4 and ICE conditions of contract, including risk allocation and compensation events\n\nAwareness of CDM Regulations, Health & Safety requirements, and commercial risk mitigation\n\nExperience using estimating software such as Eque2 Evaluate or similar advantageous\n\nAbility to interpret or review logic-linked programmes (MS Project, P6 or equivalent) beneficial\n\nLeadership & People Management\n\nLine management, workload planning, and performance oversight of estimating / commercial team members\n\nIdentification of training and development needs to support team growth and capability\n\nWillingness to act as an overflow bidding resource during peak workload periods\n\nA collaborative leadership style, able to influence across disciplines\n\nAbout You\n\nProven experience in geotechnical engineering, ground investigation, or a closely aligned enabling works environment\n\nStrong background in estimating, cost engineering, quantity surveying, or commercial management\n\nConfident commercial decision-maker with a track record of driving positive financial outcomes\n\nExcellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust with clients and internal stakeholders\n\nDegree-qualified in a relevant technical discipline (qunatity surveying, geotechnical engineering, engineering geology, geology, civil engineering) or equivalent demonstrable industry experience\n\nWhy Apply?\n\nJoin an industry-leading business with a strong UK reputation and secure forward workload\n\nPlay a key role in shaping the commercial and bidding function during a period of growth\n\nGenuine, visible career progression beyond traditional estimating roles\n\nA people-centric employer known for investing in its teams and promoting from within\n\nAn ideal move for professionals feeling constrained, overlooked, or frustrated in less ambitious organisations\n\nIf 2025 has been a year of limited progression or influence, this role offers a clear, credible step forward within a business that values expertise, leadership, and long-term thinking.

Contact Russell Taylor for a confidential conversation and discussion. \n\nImportant Information: We endeavour to process your personal data in a fair and transparent manner. In applying for this role, Russell Taylor will be acting within your interest and will contact you in relation to the role, either by email, phone or text message.

For more information see our on our website. It is important you are aware of your individual rights and the provisions the company has put in place to protect your data. If you would like further information on the policy or GDPR please get in touch with us