Principal Estimator

Willmott Dixon; Hitchin; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm seeks a Principal Estimator for their London & East Construction team in Hitchin. This senior role involves leading estimating processes across multiple high-value projects, managing a small team, and ensuring proposals balance affordability and quality. The ideal candidate has a strong background in cost planning and estimating, with a commitment to sustainability. Competitive pay and hybrid working options are available.

Benefits

Hybrid working

Strong career development opportunities

Sustainability initiatives

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading framework or two-stage tenders.
• Strong proficiency in estimating systems and cost management.
• Solid experience operating at Principal Estimator / Senior Estimator level.

Responsibilities

• Lead estimating activities across high-value construction projects.
• Develop robust cost plans and manage procurement strategies.
• Engage with stakeholders to ensure cost alignment and risk management.

Skills

Leadership

Cost planning

Estimating

Communication

Sustainability

Construction cost data knowledge

Education

Professional accreditation or working towards MRICS / MCIOB

Tools

Conquest

CostX

Bluebeam

Excel / MS Office Suite

Job description

We’re looking for a Principal Estimator to join our London & East Construction team, based from our Hitchin office, with hybrid working available (typically three days office-based and two days remote).

Reporting to the Preconstruction Manager, you’ll take ownership of delivering accurate, robust and competitive build costs across multiple high-value projects, typically ranging from £8m to £100m. Working collaboratively with the wider preconstruction team and supply chain, you’ll lead the estimating process from early feasibility and bid stages through to contract signing, ensuring our proposals balance affordability, value, risk and quality.

This is a senior role with responsibility for managing and developing a small team of estimators, while also acting as a trusted commercial advisor to customers, consultants and internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the Estimating & Cost Planning Process

• Take full ownership of estimating activities across one or more high-value projects, delivering accurate net costs in line with scope, customer requirements and company guidance.
• Develop and manage robust cost plans through the Preconstruction Services Agreement phase/design stages through to contract signing. This includes tracking affordability and guiding customers and design teams on commercial opportunities and contractual risk.
• Lead two-stage and framework bids, including EOI, feasibility and ITT stages, ensuring commercial strategies, prelims, profit and overheads are clearly defined.
• Present cost information at tender settlement meetings and support decision-making at senior level.

Commercial & Technical Assurance

• Identify value engineering opportunities, cost risks and mitigation strategies, offering workable solutions throughout preconstruction.
• Lead procurement strategy development, ensuring key trade packages are identified, benchmarked and aligned with programme and design milestones.
• Analyse and interrogate subcontractor quotations in detail, capturing risk and opportunity appropriately.
• Ensure sustainability, social value and legislative requirements are fully reflected within project costs.

Supply Chain & Stakeholder Management

• Lead and positively manage supply chain engagement, building strong, collaborative relationships with key partners.
• Work closely with Preconstruction Managers, Project Managers (Preconstruction), Designers, Planners and Commercial teams to align cost, programme and buildability.
• Act as a trusted advisor to customers and consultants, managing expectations around cost, value and affordability.
• Solid experience operating at Principal Estimator / Senior Estimator or Senior Cost Planner level within commercial construction.
• Strong background in cost planning, estimating and commercial management across complex projects.
• Proven experience leading framework or two-stage tenders (single-stage experience also considered).
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and work to demanding deadlines.
• Confident communicator, able to influence and lead discussions with internal teams, customers and consultants.
• Demonstrable leadership capability, with experience managing and developing others.
• Strong proficiency in estimating systems such as Conquest, CostX, Bluebeam and advanced Excel / MS Office Suite.
• Experience within education, defence or public-sector frameworks (DfE / DIO highly beneficial but not essential).
• Knowledge of construction cost data, benchmarking and cost metrics.
• Professional accreditation or working towards MRICS / MCIOB.

About Us:

With over 170 years of rich history, Willmott Dixon’s purpose is beyond profit; delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment so our world is fit for future generations. Ensuring that we add lasting value to the neighbourhoods we work in; our values, people, innovation, partnerships and focus on sustainability has allowed us to build a successful and solid privately owned business where our people can thrive.

Willmott Dixon was recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 10 "Big" Companies to Work For in 2025, named among the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2024, and ranked in the Top Five of Europe’s 1,000 best workplaces by the Financial Times in 2025.

Willmott Dixon is also the first major contractor and developer to win a King's Award for Enterprise in the category of sustainable development.