{"id":2024552,"url":"https://alion.io/job/bovis-estimator-cost-planner","title":"Estimator / Cost Planner","company":{"id":3865719,"name":"Bovis","domain":"bovis.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/bovis-2","size_band":"501-1000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Oracle","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":75,"open_postings":16,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":1,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":null,"computed_at":"2026-10-15T05:46:00Z"}},"role":"Operations","role_family":"Operations","seniority":"senior","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["United Kingdom"],"countries":["GB"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":59000,"max_usd":104000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":72},"experience_years_min":8,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Microsoft Office","optional":true},{"name":"Power BI","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-06-05T07:27:37Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-06-05","last_verified_at":"2026-10-16T02:55:06Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":132,"trust":{"level":"stale","repost_count":0,"flags":["stale"],"days_open":131},"description":"Key Responsibilities\nThe 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.\nCost Planning:\nUtilise and support the development of the company’s preferred cost planning software and tools.\nBe proficient in taking off quantities using the Bovis measurement software.\nCollaborate with the commercial team to secure market prices for trade packages and analyse these against cost plan allowances.\nPrepare, review, and analyse preliminaries for first and second stage bids, including producing standard preliminaries aligned with the proposed bid strategy.\nIncorporate programming requirements, methodology, phasing, and associated implications into cost plans and preliminaries.\nAccurately quantify and price cost plans from Development Brief / Feasibility stage through to Contract Price with the preferred contractor.\nAbility to build rates from first principles (labour, plant, and materials) is desirable but not essential.\nAccurate forecasting (inflation) of current trade rates.\nManage 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. \nBe able to assess sub-contractor proposals.\nPrepare design fees with support from the relevant Design Manager.\nPrepare tender documentation for submission.\nPrepare cost plan commentary and supply key information to Bid Managers to support technical and written responses within tender submissions.\nEnsure that scope, assumptions, and pricing are clearly documented throughout all cost planning stages.\nDesign and Cost Control:\nSupport project teams with change control and major variations during conversion and delivery stages.\nSupport 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.\nBidding and Strategy:\nLead or support a bid as a Cost Planner either independently or as part of a team, depending on project scale and complexity.\nSupport compliance of the cost plan with brief, authority, financiers’, and customer requirements during the conversion stage.\nData / Analytics:\nSupport the updating of design and cost KPI's.\nSupport benchmarking data and workstreams (cost / design / programme), ensuring data is captured and maintained. And support an initiative for the development of benchmarking systems.\nContribute to the development of best practices, standards, knowledge bases, sector expertise, industry trends, yardsticks, and benchmarks.\nProduce written narratives outlining key insights derived from cost and benchmarking analysis, including justification of the cost plan within the context of these findings.\nCredentials\nMaintain CSCS card for the role\n\nCurrently holding, or working towards a related Chartership such as MRICS / MCIOB\nEssential Skills, Knowledge, Experience & Behaviours\nSkills\nAbility to influence and lead teams\n\nAbility to read drawings and construction design information\n\nData analysis and data analytics including use of PowerBI\n\nDocument control\n\nNegotiation\n\nPresentation skills\n\nProblem solving\n\nProcess compliance\n\nQuantity take-off\n\nStrong Commercial acumen\n\nTendering subcontract works packages of medium to high value\n\nTime management and prioritising tasks in order to meet deadlines\n\nValue engineering\n\nWritten and verbal communication to influence and build relationships with various stakeholders\nKnowledge\nAbility to contribute to value engineering as part of the design process\n\nAllocation of scope to trade packages\n\nBe able to produce detailed prelim forecasts.\n\nUnderstand and apply cost planning & financial procedures and reporting tools\n\nUnderstanding of various procurement routes, including the RIBA design processes.\nExperience\nProven 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.\n\nBuilding inflation models / calculations.\n\nCoordinating multiple trade packages into a master cost plan / bill of quantities to ensure all scope gaps are found, priced, and any duplication is removed.\n\nCoordinating resources internally to ensure deliverables are met.\n\nPreparing cost plans at various RIBA stages.\n\nPresenting to stakeholders\n\nUnderstanding, building, and using benchmarking data for use at reviews, and for use externally with clients / consultants.\nBehaviours\nFlexibility and openness of approach and willingness to work as a team player\n\nHas a great attention to detail and thoroughness in all of the work they produce\n\nIs analytical thinking\n\nTaken ownership of Reporting, including populating all key templates and documents for reviews.\n\nProvides constructive challenge and feedback to others within the team.\n\nWe will provide: \nCar allowance\n\nFlexible and hybrid work options\n\nUp to 10% employer pension contribution\n\nPrivate medical health benefit\n\nLife assurance\n\n25 days annual leave with the option to buy or sell additional days\n\n3 days wellbeing leave in addition to annual leave\n\nHealth and wellbeing support and initiatives\n\n24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme including direct access to Talking Therapies and Coaching services\n\nDiscounted gym membership to over 2,500 gym’s nation wide\n\nIndustry leading parental leave\n\n Lead and manage the cost planning team, providing clear direction and defining priorities for successful project outcomes.\n Work closely with the Head of Cost Planning & Estimating to develop and implement cost planning strategies, ensuring adequate resources and management.\n Accountable for all cost planning aspects, from project inception to feasibility and bid preparation for internal and external clients.\n Challenge and guide the Development Project Manager and design team to optimize building designs within the cost plan, utilizing benchmark projects for analysis.\n Support the development and implementation of best practices, knowledge sharing, and upskilling within the cost planning team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.\n Ensure compliance with Lendlease Development's governance process (Compass) for cost planning and bid presentations.\n Stay updated on industry trends, yardsticks, and benchmarks to provide expert advice and ensure cost-effective solutions.\n Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to gather and analyze data, ensuring accurate cost planning and forecasting.\n Prepare and present cost plans, budgets, and forecasts to clients and stakeholders, clearly communicating the financial aspects of the projects.\n A degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Economics, or a related field is preferred.\n Minimum of 8 years of experience in cost planning, with a strong background in MEP projects.\n Excellent knowledge of construction processes, materials, and industry standards.\n Proficiency in cost planning software and tools, including MS Office and relevant industry-specific applications.\n Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to guide and mentor a team.\n Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with clients and internal teams.\n Analytical mindset with a focus on detail and accuracy in cost planning and forecasting.\n Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.\n A proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to continuous learning and development.\n Flexibility to adapt to changing project requirements and a dynamic work environment.","description_format":"text","description_chars":8122,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":8,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Annual leave","Continuous learning","Gym membership","Hybrid work","Parental leave"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":[],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-07T13:26:58Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":7,"band":"cold","label":"Long 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