Estimator/Cost Planner
Building a sustainable tomorrow
BAM UK & Ireland is recruiting an Estimator/Cost Planner to join the North Construction segment. The role can be based from the our Manchester, Leeds or Newcastle office with flexible working arrangements supporting a balanced and inclusive work schedule. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with strong commercial acumen and sector‑specific experience to shape projects through accurate, insightful cost guidance.
You will play a key role in the successful conversion of work through early-stage feasibility, design development, and tender submission. Working collaboratively across our Preconstruction, Design, Project Management, and Operations teams, you will help ensure projects are commercially robust, competitive, and deliverable. These will commonly be in the range of £15-100m on a variety of contract types and procurement routes.
Making Possible
Reporting to the Regional Estimator, you will be responsible for supporting our preconstruction and tendering activities, including:
Feasibility & Early Cost Planning
• Reviewing feasibility studies to determine project affordability
• Developing benchmarked and data driven early-stage cost plans
• Supporting framework submissions and strategic bids
• Producing, maintaining, and updating cost plans throughout design development
• Identifying risks, opportunities, and potential funding gaps
• Collaborating with the design team to ensure cost alignment with client budgets
Market Testing & Tendering
• Abstracting tender information into structured work packages
• Preparing and issuing enquiries to the supply chain
• Managing responses, analysing quotations, and normalising costs for comparison
• Providing mid-tender commercial updates on forecast cost position
• Attendance at mid/post tender interviews with the Client team on bids under consideration
Final Tender Preparation
• Preparing robust detailed estimates from RIBA Stage 3+/4 information
• Presenting the final tender sum and commercial position at adjudication meetings
• Supporting bid governance and sign-off procedures
• Production of handover documentation to Project Surveyors on successful bids
What’s in it for you?
In addition to an attractive salary we offer a significant benefits package which could include;
⦁ Competitive salary
⦁ Company Car or Car allowance
⦁ A wide range of family friendly policies
⦁ 8% matched pension contributions
⦁ Private healthcare
⦁ Life assurance
⦁ 26 days holiday
⦁ 2 wellbeing days
⦁ 1 volunteering day
⦁ Personal and professional development
⦁ Flexible benefit pot
What do you bring to the role?
We are looking for someone with:
• Relevant experience in a similar role with proven experience in estimating or cost planning within the construction industry.
• Strong commercial insight and sound judgement
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Experience working with digital design models, BIM, and modern estimating technologies
• Ability to measure and produce quantities from drawings or BIM models for incorporation in tender enquiries.
• Strong communication skills with a collaborative, team orientated mindset
• Ambition to grow, develop, and progress within BAM
• A sincere team work ethic
• A considered approach to chairing meetings and a developed interview techniques for discussion with subcontractors
• A detailed understanding of the different elements of tender documents, including reading and reviewing tender strategy, identifying key risks and opportunities.
• Ability to work efficiently in order to meet deadlines
• A relevant construction or quantity surveying qualification at further‑education level.
• We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following sectors: ProCure23 (P23), Education,CCS Frameworks,
About BAM
Building a sustainable tomorrow. That’s our mission and our promise at BAM. It’s how we engineer vital infrastructure and construct high-quality buildings as one of the largest construction companies in Europe.
We strive to create an environment where everybody feels welcome and valued. We’re on an exciting journey to employ the best talent to join us regardless of social background, race, colour, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability or other characteristics.
The application process
BAM is committed to ensuring a fully inclusive recruitment and onboarding process, so if at any time you feel you may need any reasonable adjustments, do not hesitate to speak with one of our team, and we will do our best to support you. "Join us in Making Possible"
