Estimating Associate Director

An excellent opportunity for an Associate Director – Estimating to join a world-class engineering and consultancy business based in Edinburgh.

The successful candidate will become a key member of a Complex Projects and Delivery Partner team, supporting some of the UK’s most significant and high-profile programmes. You will take a leading role in the delivery of estimating and cost advisory services, working with multidisciplinary and specialist project teams to provide robust, high-quality cost advice to major clients.

This role is suited to an experienced estimating professional who can lead estimates from feasibility through to detailed design, provide technical review and assurance, and support the continued growth of a market-leading Estimating & Cost Advisory capability.

The team works across major markets including infrastructure, transport and energy, with exposure to sectors such as water, defence, aviation, rail, highways, local authorities, nuclear, renewable energy and power.

Hybrid working is available, subject to client and project requirements.

Project Details

The successful Associate Director – Estimating will support a wide portfolio of major project and programme commissions, working alongside talented colleagues across multidisciplinary teams.

The role will involve delivering high-impact estimating services to key clients, including the production, review and assurance of estimates across the full project lifecycle. You will work across a range of project types and sectors, supporting client decision-making from early-stage feasibility through to detailed design and delivery.

Typical services will include:

• Leading estimating service delivery across major projects and programmes
• Producing estimates from Class 5 order-of-magnitude estimates through to Class 1 bottom-up, first-principles estimates
• Preparing direct and indirect cost estimates
• Undertaking estimate assurance and peer review
• Developing basis-of-estimate reports for senior review and client submission
• Using benchmarking data, in-house data and market intelligence to inform robust estimates
• Supporting bids, proposals and work-winning activity
• Contributing to the development of internal estimating capability and best practice

The role offers the opportunity to work on complex, prestigious schemes across infrastructure, transport and energy markets, while contributing to the development of a growing Estimating & Cost Advisory practice.

Responsibilities and Duties

Some of the key responsibilities and duties of this Associate Director – Estimating & Cost Advisory role will include:

• Leading the delivery of estimating services, with a focus on taking estimates from feasibility stage through to detailed design.
• Producing and reviewing estimates across different project types, sectors and levels of maturity.
• Preparing Class 5 order-of-magnitude estimates through to Class 1 bottom-up, first-principles estimates.
• Supporting senior leadership with bids, proposals and work-winning activity to help grow the team’s portfolio of commissions.
• Providing input to improve the quality, consistency and value of estimating deliverables for clients.
• Supporting the development of a high-performing estimating team, working closely with regional and practice leadership.
• Applying advanced knowledge of typical methods of measurement and estimating best practice.
• Overseeing full take-offs completed by the estimating team and undertaking these activities directly where required.
• Owning the delivery of high-quality client outputs, including direct cost estimates, indirect cost estimates and estimate assurance work.
• Assuring estimates produced by other organisations and by estimators within your duty of care.
• Leading peer reviews of outputs produced by other team members to support continuous improvement.
• Reviewing estimating team outputs and providing guidance, challenge and technical direction.
• Independently authoring basis-of-estimate reports for Director review and client submission.
• Demonstrating proficiency in estimating-specific software and standard office applications.
• Using client benchmarking data, in-house data and market data to independently develop and assess estimates.
• Leading internal review and quality assurance processes for client deliverables, in line with governance procedures.
• Managing stakeholders effectively and communicating complex issues in a clear, practical and commercially focused manner.
• Acting as a subject matter expert within the wider team, helping to incorporate the best available information into client deliverables.
• Building strong connections with the wider Estimating & Cost Advisory practice and leadership team.

Desired Skills and Experience

The ideal Associate Director – Estimating & Cost Advisory candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong experience in estimating, cost advisory, quantity surveying, project controls, commercial management or a related discipline.
• Proven ability to lead estimating workstreams on major projects and programmes.
• Experience producing estimates from early feasibility stage through to detailed design.
• Strong understanding of direct costs, indirect costs, cost breakdown structures and estimating methodologies.
• Experience producing or reviewing Class 5 to Class 1 estimates, including bottom-up and first-principles estimating.
• Strong knowledge of methods of measurement and cost estimating best practice.
• Ability to undertake and oversee full take-offs, cost build-ups, estimate reviews and estimate assurance.
• Experience preparing basis-of-estimate reports and other client-facing estimating documentation.
• Strong understanding of contingency, risk allowances and the relationship between risk, project controls and forecasting.
• Good commercial awareness, including an understanding of contractual requirements and their impact on estimating and cost forecasting.
• Ability to use benchmarking data, market data and internal cost intelligence to develop robust and defensible estimates.
• Experience working across complex projects in infrastructure, transport, energy or related sectors.
• Sector exposure across areas such as water, defence, aviation, rail, highways, local authorities, nuclear, renewable energy or power would be advantageous.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to work effectively with designers, engineers, project managers, clients and commercial teams.
• Experience supporting bids, proposals or work-winning activity would be beneficial.
• Ability to manage, mentor and support the development of estimating professionals.
• Excellent communication, leadership, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work across multiple sectors and disciplines, with the drive to continue developing technical and commercial expertise.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, security clearance may be advantageous for certain projects.

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in estimating, quantity surveying, engineering, construction, commercial management or a related discipline.
• Equivalent professional experience may also be considered.
• Chartered status, or demonstrable progress towards chartership, with RICS, ICE, AACE, ACostE or a similar professional body would be advantageous.

Employing Company Overview and Profile

The successful Associate Director – Estimating & Cost Advisory will be joining a leading global engineering services, project management and consultancy organisation with a strong reputation for delivering complex infrastructure and energy programmes.

The company works with clients and industry partners to transform infrastructure and energy systems, bringing together consultants, designers, engineers and project managers to deliver sustainable, high-impact outcomes.

You will join a collaborative and supportive working environment where people are encouraged to develop their talents, contribute equally and build long-term careers. The organisation offers exposure to major, high-profile projects, opportunities for training and professional development, and the chance to contribute to a growing Estimating & Cost Advisory practice.

The business promotes flexible and hybrid working arrangements, alongside a strong focus on wellbeing, inclusion and career progression.

Full details of the employing organisation will be provided to shortlisted candidates.

This role may require security clearance for certain projects. Where required, employment may be dependent on obtaining the appropriate level of clearance. The vetting process may require candidates to provide evidence of UK residency for five years or longer.

Additional Benefits Package and Incentives

• Competitive salary, negotiable based on experience
• Hybrid working
• Flexible holiday allowances
• Employee rewards and benefits package
• Health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle benefits
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Supportive and inclusive working culture
• Career progression within a growing Estimating & Cost Advisory practice