Key Responsibilities
The Estimator / Cost Planning Manager assumes commercial and functional management. Key responsibilities include overseeing the pre-construction cost planning process, developing and implementing best-practice estimation methodologies, driving value engineering initiatives and managing commercial risk registers on major tenders. This role is responsible for tender sign-off and bid strategy alignment, engaging in client negotiation on project costs, and acting as a commercial liaison for external stakeholders.
Cost Planning:
- Utilise and support the development of the company’s preferred cost planning software and tools.
- Be proficient in taking off quantities using the Bovis measurement software.
- Collaborate with the commercial team to secure market prices for trade packages and analyse these against cost plan allowances.
- Prepare, review, and analyse preliminaries for first and second stage bids, including producing standard preliminaries aligned with the proposed bid strategy.
- Incorporate programming requirements, methodology, phasing, and associated implications into cost plans and preliminaries.
- Accurately quantify and price cost plans from Development Brief / Feasibility stage through to Contract Price with the preferred contractor.
- Ability to build rates from first principles (labour, plant, and materials) is desirable but not essential.
- Accurate forecasting (inflation) of current trade rates.
- Manage external consultants (EQ Bill of Quants Consultancy), including initial engagement, appointment, issue of information, quality control, and ensuring submission and return in line with the programme.
- Be able to assess sub-contractor proposals.
- Prepare design fees with support from the relevant Design Manager.
- Prepare tender documentation for submission.
- Prepare cost plan commentary and supply key information to Bid Managers to support technical and written responses within tender submissions.
- Ensure that scope, assumptions, and pricing are clearly documented throughout all cost planning stages.
Design and Cost Control:
- Support project teams with change control and major variations during conversion and delivery stages.
- Support project and design teams in producing a design that meets cost plan requirements. Continuously analyse the design against cost plan assumptions, design briefs/target metrics, and benchmark projects.
Bidding and Strategy:
- Lead or support a bid as a Cost Planner either independently or as part of a team, depending on project scale and complexity.
- Support compliance of the cost plan with brief, authority, financiers’, and customer requirements during the conversion stage.
Data / Analytics:
- Support the updating of design and cost KPI's.
- Support benchmarking data and workstreams (cost / design / programme), ensuring data is captured and maintained. And support an initiative for the development of benchmarking systems.
- Contribute to the development of best practices, standards, knowledge bases, sector expertise, industry trends, yardsticks, and benchmarks.
- Produce written narratives outlining key insights derived from cost and benchmarking analysis, including justification of the cost plan within the context of these findings.
Credentials
Essential Skills, Knowledge, Experience & Behaviours
Skills
Ability to influence and lead teams
Ability to read drawings and construction design information
Data analysis and data analytics including use of PowerBI
Document control
Negotiation
Presentation skills
Problem solving
Process compliance
Quantity take-off
Strong Commercial acumen
Tendering subcontract works packages of medium to high value
Time management and prioritising tasks in order to meet deadlines
Value engineering
- Written and verbal communication to influence and build relationships with various stakeholders
Knowledge
Ability to contribute to value engineering as part of the design process
Allocation of scope to trade packages
Be able to produce detailed prelim forecasts.
Understand and apply cost planning & financial procedures and reporting tools
- Understanding of various procurement routes, including the RIBA design processes.
Experience
Proven track record of working on various bid stages included Stage 1 (initial tender) and Stage 2 (Conversion into contract / PCSA).Reviewing subcontractor tender offers and subcontractor tender analysis produced by the commercial team to ensure a robust cost position.
Building inflation models / calculations.
Coordinating multiple trade packages into a master cost plan / bill of quantities to ensure all scope gaps are found, priced, and any duplication is removed.
Coordinating resources internally to ensure deliverables are met.
Preparing cost plans at various RIBA stages.
Presenting to stakeholders
- Understanding, building, and using benchmarking data for use at reviews, and for use externally with clients / consultants.
Behaviours
Flexibility and openness of approach and willingness to work as a team player
Has a great attention to detail and thoroughness in all of the work they produce
Is analytical thinking
Taken ownership of Reporting, including populating all key templates and documents for reviews.
Provides constructive challenge and feedback to others within the team.
We will provide:
Car allowance
Flexible and hybrid work options
Up to 10% employer pension contribution
Private medical health benefit
Life assurance
25 days annual leave with the option to buy or sell additional days
3 days wellbeing leave in addition to annual leave
Health and wellbeing support and initiatives
24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme including direct access to Talking Therapies and Coaching services
Discounted gym membership to over 2,500 gym’s nation wide
Industry leading parental leave
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the cost planning team, providing clear direction and defining priorities for successful project outcomes.
- Work closely with the Head of Cost Planning & Estimating to develop and implement cost planning strategies, ensuring adequate resources and management.
- Accountable for all cost planning aspects, from project inception to feasibility and bid preparation for internal and external clients.
- Challenge and guide the Development Project Manager and design team to optimize building designs within the cost plan, utilizing benchmark projects for analysis.
- Support the development and implementation of best practices, knowledge sharing, and upskilling within the cost planning team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Ensure compliance with Lendlease Development's governance process (Compass) for cost planning and bid presentations.
- Stay updated on industry trends, yardsticks, and benchmarks to provide expert advice and ensure cost-effective solutions.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to gather and analyze data, ensuring accurate cost planning and forecasting.
- Prepare and present cost plans, budgets, and forecasts to clients and stakeholders, clearly communicating the financial aspects of the projects.
Qualifications
- A degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Economics, or a related field is preferred.
- Minimum of 8 years of experience in cost planning, with a strong background in MEP projects.
- Excellent knowledge of construction processes, materials, and industry standards.
- Proficiency in cost planning software and tools, including MS Office and relevant industry-specific applications.
- Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to guide and mentor a team.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with clients and internal teams.
- Analytical mindset with a focus on detail and accuracy in cost planning and forecasting.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- A proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to continuous learning and development.
- Flexibility to adapt to changing project requirements and a dynamic work environment.
