Lead Estimator

Date:  24 Sept 2026
Location: 

Warwick, GB, CV34 6DA

Company:  National Gas
Requisition ID:  3263

Lead Estimator

Salary: £55,744 to £67,000 + up to 6% bonus

Location: National role covering projects across Scotland and the North region, with occasional travel to Warwick and other project locations as required

 

About us

At National Gas, the work we do matters.

 

As Britain's national gas network, we help keep the lights on, businesses running, and homes warm by maintaining the critical infrastructure that transports gas across Great Britain. While providing the energy security Britain relies on today, we're also helping transform the network for a clean energy future.

 

Join us and help secure Britain's energy.

About the role

We're seeking an experienced Lead Estimator to provide expert estimating capability across major construction and engineering projects within our Scotland and North region. Operating with minimal supervision, you'll lead the development of complex cost estimates, provide technical expertise to project teams, and influence key investment decisions from concept through to delivery.

 

This is a national role with occasional travel to our Warwick offices and project locations as required.

 

This role is critical to ensuring our investment programmes are underpinned by accurate, robust and commercially sound cost estimates. We're looking for an established estimating professional who can lead complex estimating activities independently, challenge assumptions, and provide trusted commercial insight across a diverse portfolio of projects.

 

From day one, you'll act as a subject matter expert, helping shape project strategies, drive estimating best practice, and support informed decision-making at all stages of the project lifecycle. Your expertise will directly influence project viability, risk management and delivery outcomes across our Scotland and North region.

What you'll be doing

  • Lead the preparation and assurance of complex cost estimates for major infrastructure, construction and engineering projects
  • Provide expert estimating advice and technical guidance to project teams and senior stakeholders
  • Develop robust estimating methodologies, assumptions, risk allowances and cost models
  • Challenge project scope, delivery strategies and commercial assumptions to improve estimate quality and accuracy
  • Drive estimating best practice, standards and continuous improvement across the project portfolio
  • Lead tender evaluation and benchmarking activities to ensure value for money and market competitiveness
  • Support investment decision-making through high-quality cost forecasting, reporting and analysis
  • Mentor colleagues and promote estimating excellence across the wider team

What you'll bring

Essential

  • Extensive experience leading complex cost estimates within major infrastructure, engineering, utilities or construction environments
  • Demonstrable ability to deliver high-quality estimates independently with minimal supervision
  • Strong technical expertise across estimating, cost planning, budgeting, forecasting and risk analysis
  • Proven experience influencing senior stakeholders and providing commercial challenge on major projects
  • Experience developing estimating methodologies, standards and best practice frameworks
  • Strong understanding of contract management, procurement processes and project delivery principles
  • Professional estimating qualification such as AACE Certified Cost Professional (CCP), Certified Estimating Professional (CEP), or equivalent

 

Desirable

  • PRINCE2 Practitioner, APM PMQ or equivalent project management qualification
  • RICS Certificate in Construction Project Management
  • Degree qualification in Construction Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline
  • Experience within utilities, energy or major infrastructure environments

What we offer

  • Market-leading double-match pension (up to 12% company contribution)
  • Annual performance bonus up to 6%
  • Access to the Tusker salary sacrifice car scheme
  • 26 days holiday (plus statutory holidays)
  • 10x salary life assurance and income protection
  • Flexible benefits including healthcare, dental, and technology options
  • Family-friendly policies, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities

 

Advert close: 15th October

Inclusive recruitment

We're building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve, championing diversity, and creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is valued for their unique contribution. We support reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and beyond.

 

National Gas is a Disability Confident employer and signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant.