06th April, 2026
Commercial Manager/Senior Estimator
Essex – Hybrid
Contract or Permanent opportunity
We’re looking for an experienced Commercial Manager / Senior Estimator to join a high-performing project team delivering major infrastructure works. This is a key role where you’ll take ownership of the financial and commercial performance of projects from early-stage feasibility through to final delivery.
This role sits at the heart of the project delivery team, playing a vital part in securing, managing, and successfully delivering projects. You’ll be responsible for leading estimating activity, supporting bids and proposals, and ensuring robust commercial management throughout the project lifecycle.
You’ll also lead and develop a commercial team, contribute to strategic growth, and act as a mentor and role model to others within the business.
Responsibilities of the Commercial Manager/Senior Estimator:
- Lead estimating services across projects from feasibility through to completion
- Produce estimates ranging from high-level order of magnitude to detailed bottom-up builds
- Support bids, proposals, and win-work activities to help grow the project portfolio
- Lead the preparation of basis of estimate documents for submissions
- Apply benchmarking data to assess and validate estimates
- Undertake full take-offs and support colleagues with estimating processes where required
- Support internal review and quality assurance processes in line with governance procedures
- Prepare and manage Earned Value Management outputs
- Oversee monthly Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR) and associated commercial reporting
- Report and explain commercial performance of projects clearly and effectively
- Feed commercial insights into planning, estimating, marketing, and sales functions
- Engage with stakeholders and build strong working relationships across multidisciplinary teams
Criteria of the Commercial Manager/Senior Estimator: - Bachelor’s degree in Estimating, Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Construction, or equivalent experience
- Professional membership or working towards chartership (RICS, ICE, AACE, ACostE or similar)
- Strong understanding of estimating techniques, including contingency and risk allowances
- Solid commercial and contractual awareness and how this impacts cost forecasting
- Knowledge of indirect costs, cost breakdown structures, and deliverability analysis
- Experience working collaboratively with designers, engineers, project managers, and clients
- Familiarity with NEC contracts and their application is highly desirable
- Ability to work across multiple sectors with a proactive mindset and willingness to learn
Why join?
This is an opportunity to play a key role in a complex, high-profile project environment where your commercial expertise will directly influence project success. You’ll be part of a collaborative team that values innovation, professional development, and continuous improvement, with the chance to build on your experience while contributing to major infrastructure delivery.
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