Job Description:

Estimator / Cost Planning Manager - Manchester

Salary: Up to £75,000 + package

The Estimator / Cost Planning Manager plays a pivotal commercial role, leading pre‑construction cost planning, shaping bid strategy, driving value engineering and managing commercial risk on major tenders. You'll act as a key commercial voice in client negotiations and a trusted liaison with external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities



Cost Planning

• Develop and utilise preferred cost‑planning software and tools

• Take off quantities using Bovis measurement software

• Work with the commercial team to secure market prices and benchmark against cost plan allowances

• Prepare and analyse preliminaries for Stage 1 and Stage 2 bids

• Integrate programme, methodology, phasing and buildability into cost plans

• Quantify and price cost plans from feasibility through to contract award

• Build rates from first principles (desirable)

• Forecast trade inflation accurately

• Manage external consultants (EQ BoQ Consultancy) from appointment to quality control

• Assess subcontractor proposals

• Prepare design fees with Design Manager support

• Produce tender documentation and cost plan commentary

• Provide commercial inputs to Bid Managers for written tender responses

• Clearly document scope, assumptions and pricing throughout all stages

Design & Cost Control

• Support project teams with change control and major variations

• Ensure design development aligns with cost plan assumptions, briefs, target metrics and benchmarks

Bidding & Strategy

• Lead or support bids depending on project scale

• Ensure cost plans comply with brief, authority, financier and client requirements

Data & Analytics

• Support updates to design and cost KPIs

• Maintain benchmarking data across cost, design and programme

• Contribute to best practice, standards, knowledge bases and sector benchmarks

• Produce written narratives explaining insights and cost plan justification

Credentials

• Valid CSCS card

• Working towards or holding MRICS / MCIOB

Essential Skills

• Team influence and leadership

• Ability to read drawings and construction information

• Data analytics capability including PowerBI

• Document control proficiency

• Negotiation and presentation skills

• Problem‑solving and process compliance

• Quantity take‑off

• Strong commercial acumen

• Tendering medium-high value subcontract packages

• Time management and prioritisation

• Value engineering capability

• Strong written and verbal communication

Essential Knowledge

• Value engineering within the design process

• Allocation of scope to trade packages

• Ability to produce detailed prelim forecasts

• Understanding of cost planning procedures and reporting tools

• Knowledge of procurement routes and RIBA design processes

Essential Experience

• Experience across Stage 1 and Stage 2 bid phases

• Reviewing subcontractor tender offers and commercial analysis

• Building inflation models and calculations

• Coordinating multiple trade packages into a master cost plan / BoQ

• Managing internal resources to meet deliverables

• Preparing cost plans across RIBA stages

• Presenting to stakeholders

• Using benchmarking data for reviews and client presentations

Behaviours

• Flexible, open and collaborative

• High attention to detail and thoroughness

• Analytical thinker

• Takes ownership of reporting and key templates

• Provides constructive challenge and feedback

What We Provide

• Car allowance

• Flexible & hybrid working

• Up to 10% employer pension contribution

• Private medical cover

• Life assurance

• 25 days annual leave with buy/sell options

• 3 wellbeing days

• Health & wellbeing initiatives

• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

• Discounted access to 2,500+ gyms nationwide