Head of Estimating

Equans is looking for a Head of Estimating to join our team on a permanent basis. This is a full-time role working 37.5 hours per week. On offer is a competitive salary, company vehicle or allowance, bonus and benefits package.

Provide inspiring leadership to Equans UK Business Development Estimating & Solution Modelling function, embedding a culture of continuous improvement, transforming approaches and ways of working to provide the business with outstanding, flexible bid estimating, modelling and commercial support.

Reporting directly into the Pricing Director to ensure accurate pricing for business development activity, managing a team of estimator & solution modelers, promoting a consistent approach across all opportunities and supporting business growth through competitive and profitable bids.

What will you deliver?

• Develop the overall vision for Estimating within Equans UKBU
• Lead, mentor, and develop the central estimating & solution modelling team, ensuring high performance
• Responsibility for developing a functional ‘job family’ for estimating & solution modelling
• Develop an ‘assurance model’ across the UKBU for estimating
• Assign and review bid estimating tasks, ensuring deadlines are met
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and professional development
• Ensure the retention of current business and the acquisition of new business through commercially sound and competitive pricing; actively seeking innovative pricing solutions to assist the bid team in developing winning submissions
• Oversee the preparation of accurate bid pricing and tender submissions
• Ensure estimates align with internal benchmarks, market conditions, and identify and mitigate risks associated with bid pricing and contracts
• Ensure bid pricing adheres to Equans risk management and compliance policies
• Collaborate with business development / bid managers, procurement, and finance teams to ensure industry leading cost-effective solutions. Act as a liaison to other functions such as Operations, Insurance, Legal, and HR
• Engage with clients, suppliers, and subcontractors to obtain competitive pricing and provide commercial support during negotiations and contract completion
• Implement and enhance estimating & solution models, and best in class tools for efficiency
• Develop and refine pricing & solutioning procedures, templates, and best practices
• Monitor market trends and internal benchmark cost data for continuous improvement
• Support UKBU business development by developing competitive pricing strategies aligned to Equans Pricing Strategy
• Analyse past projects to improve future estimates and company profitability, assess and enhance our competitive edge, ensuring that cost models underpinning our bids are both competitive and feasible
• Provide insights and recommendations to senior management for strategic decision-making

What can we offer you?

On offer is a competitive salary, company vehicle or allowance bonus and benefits package, which includes;

• 25 days annual leave (+ public holidays)
• Life Cover equivalent to 2 times annual salary
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts 
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Holiday purchase scheme
• 2 corporate social responsibility days per year
• Broad range of learning opportunities, such as professional qualifications, collective/individual training, and personalized support programmes
• Attractive Employee Referral Rewards Scheme
• Access to our growing employee networks including AccessAbility (representing those with physical and mental disabilities), Encompass (representing the LGBTQ+ community), RISE (representing people from ethnic backgrounds), WOMEN TOGETHER (representing women in Equans), Working Parents, and Young Professionals.
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app

Who are we looking for?

• Degree (or relevant experience) and qualified accountant (qualified by experience
• Extensive knowledge of business development, consulting, and/or a background in construction, energy or services with a strong understanding of the financial and commercial elements of the market
• Demonstrative leadership and people management gained within a business development, commercial, or similar estimating role, with proven ability to lead a team across multiple disciplines to achieve results
• Excellent communication skills across a range of channels and audiences to clearly explain ideas to both technical and non-technical stakeholders with demonstratable persuasion and negotiation skills
• Proven experience of driving innovation and excellence in commercial bid estimation – a “growth mindset”
• Proven ability to explain complex technical and operational concepts in simple business language
• Strong financial and commercial acumen with an ability to analyse complex data and documentation with accuracy
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Ability to understand and manage business stakeholder relationships, their needs, their priorities, and their drivers
• Excellent time management skills to manage projects with aggressive and time-sensitive deadlines
• Proven ability to thrive in high pressure, complex, changing environments with insufficient information
• Ability to understand and manage business stakeholder relationships, their needs, their priorities, and their drivers
• Proven ability to deliver programmes to time, cost and quality
• Proficiency in estimating software and tools (e.g. Excel), including extensive knowledge of pricing strategies (e.g value pricing), and modelling techniques (e.g. FAST principles)

Who are we?

Equans is a world leader in energy services with nearly 100,000 employees working in more than 50 countries, with an annual turnover of over 17 billion euros.  

In the UK & Ireland, Equans is a provider of technical, FM, regeneration and energy services – with specialist capabilities in smart buildings, green mobility, district & embedded energy and decentralised renewables.

Equans’ 13,500 UK & Ireland employees combine these activities to help businesses, public sector organisations and government to embrace the energy transition towards net zero, and also the digital & industrial transitions that are redesigning the way we move, work and live.

Equans is a Bouygues group company.

What’s next?

If this role is of interest to you, please click below to register, apply, and track your progress! A member of our Resourcing Team will review your application and be in touch.

As part our commitment to better reflect the markets within which we operate, we encourage applications from women, ethnically diverse individuals and people with disabilities, along with all candidates who identify with protected characteristic groups under the Equality Act 2010. 

At Equans we’re committed to delivering a culture where everyone’s voice is heard and supported. We know the value a diverse workforce creates, delivering better results for our people, customers, and stakeholders. Diversity and inclusion is at the core of what we do, should you join Equans you’ll find a welcoming and open workplace where you’re supported and encouraged to be your true self at work. 

You’ll also have access to our growing employee networks including AccessAbility (representing those with physical and mental disabilities), Encompass (representing the LGBTQ+ community), RISE (representing people from ethnic backgrounds), WOMEN TOGETHER (representing women in Equans), Working Parents, and Young Professionals.

For this role, you must have evidence of the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer a re-location package with this job role.  Certain roles may require applicants to undergo a Disclosure check, as noted in the role requirements.

The Equans Resourcing Team supports this job advert. Agency involvement is not required. All related enquiries must come to the resourcing team not direct to Equans Managers.