Lead Estimator – Regional Civil Engineering

Location: Remote, with occasional travel to our sites/offices.

At Octavius Infrastructure, our Regional Civil Engineering team delivers a diverse range of highways, public realm and emergency response projects across the UK. From flooding, embankment failures and road collapses to VRS repairs, maintenance schemes and new-build infrastructure projects, we provide safe, practical and efficient solutions that keep communities and transport networks moving. 

We are looking for an experienced Lead Estimator to join our Regional Civil Engineering Pre-Delivery team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in securing and shaping a varied portfolio of work while helping to drive the continued success of the business.

The Opportunity

As Lead Estimator, you will take ownership of the estimating process across a broad range of civil engineering, highways and maintenance opportunities. Working closely with operational, commercial and bid teams, you will develop robust cost estimates, target costs and pricing strategies that accurately reflect project scope, opportunities and risks.

You will provide leadership throughout the tendering process, ensuring estimates are accurate, competitive and aligned with our delivery strategy. Your expertise will be instrumental in helping Octavius secure and successfully deliver projects ranging from emergency response works and maintenance activities through to complex civil engineering and public realm schemes.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading the development and production of detailed analytical estimates, target costs and budget estimates for civil engineering, highways and maintenance projects.
• Producing accurate cost plans from first principles.
• Identifying, analysing and managing commercial risks and opportunities within tenders.
• Preparing Bills of Quantities, work take-offs and activity schedules.
• Collaborating with operational and commercial teams to develop practical and efficient delivery solutions.
• Reviewing methodologies, programmes and resource requirements to ensure robust pricing.
• Presenting tender approaches, cost strategies and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Mentoring and supporting estimators within the team, promoting best practice and continuous improvement.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who combines strong technical estimating expertise with excellent leadership and communication skills.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience producing estimates from first principles for civil engineering, highways, maintenance or infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of civil engineering construction techniques, methodologies and associated costs.
• Experience preparing Bills of Quantities and working with recognised Methods of Measurement.
• Detailed knowledge of labour, plant, material and subcontractor resources and how these influence overall project costs.
• Strong understanding of risk management and its impact on project pricing and cost certainty.
• Ability to prepare detailed cost estimates, quantity take-offs and activity schedules.
• Proficient with estimating software and Microsoft Office applications.

Personal Attributes

• A collaborative and influential leader who can bring teams together to achieve shared goals.
• Strong commercial awareness and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Confident presenting solutions and recommendations to senior leadership teams.
• Proactive, accountable and committed to delivering high-quality outcomes.

What You'll Receive

We recognise that our people are our greatest asset, which is why we offer a competitive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, career development and work-life balance, including:

• Company Car Scheme
• Private Healthcare
• Competitive Pension Scheme
• Life Assurance
• 25 Days Annual Leave, plus your Birthday Off
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
• Flexible and Hybrid Working Opportunities
• Ongoing Professional Development and Career Progression

Why Octavius?

At Octavius, you'll be part of a business that puts people first. We foster a collaborative culture where innovation, wellbeing and professional growth are genuinely valued. You'll have the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects, from emergency response and network resilience schemes to highways, public realm and civil engineering improvements that make a lasting difference to communities across the UK.

Ready to lead the estimating function across a varied portfolio of regional civil engineering projects? We'd love to hear from you. Apply today and help shape the future of infrastructure with Octavius Infrastructure.