Location flexibility: 3 office days / week – 3 days in the office, 2 days from home
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At United Utilities, we're delivering one of the largest infrastructure investment programmes in the UK water sector. To support this investment, we're looking for Estimating Managers to lead and develop our growing estimating teams.
Combining technical expertise with strong people leadership, you'll coach and develop estimating professionals, champion high standards and support the delivery of consistent, high-quality estimating services. You'll work closely with stakeholders across the business to provide trusted cost insight that supports major investment decisions.
Whether you're already an experienced manager or a Senior Civil Estimator looking for your first leadership opportunity, this role offers the chance to shape both people and capability within one of the UK's most significant infrastructure programmes.
What you'll do
Lead and develop your estimating team
Provide leadership, coaching and development to a team of Estimators and Senior Estimators.
Create a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on continuous improvement and professional development.
Support apprentices, early-career professionals and experienced estimators to maximise their potential.
Build and maintain the capability, capacity and expertise required within your team to meet current and future business needs.
Plan and prioritise team resources to meet business and programme requirements.
Provide independent cost assurance and challenge
Oversee the production, review and assurance of estimates delivered by your team.
Identify cost risks, opportunities and uncertainties to support informed decision-making.
Present findings, insights and recommendations to stakeholders with confidence and credibility.
Provide technical leadership and expert guidance on estimating and cost assurance within your area of responsibility.
Drive standards, governance and continuous improvement
Support the development and implementation of estimating standards, procedures and governance arrangements.
Promote consistency and best practice across projects, programmes and delivery partners.
Support assurance reviews and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Ensure estimates are transparent, evidence-based and aligned with business requirements.
Strengthen benchmarking and cost intelligence
Use historical cost data, benchmarking information and market intelligence to improve estimate quality and confidence.
Support the development of cost databases, estimating tools and productivity benchmarks.
Champion the effective use of Candy / Benchmark estimating software and other estimating tools.
Work closely with Benchmarking and Cost Capture teams to improve forecasting accuracy and investment planning.
Identify trends and lessons learned to improve estimating performance and share best practice across the estimating community.
Influence across the business
Build strong relationships across Engineering, Commercial, Procurement, Finance, Project Management and Delivery teams.
Support the development of investment strategies, business cases and programme plans.
Engage constructively with framework partners and external stakeholders.
Provide trusted advice and professional judgement that helps deliver best value for customers.
What we're looking for
Essential
Significant civil estimating experience within engineering, construction, utilities, infrastructure or other capital project environments.
Experience preparing, reviewing and assuring estimates throughout the project lifecycle.
Strong understanding of estimating methodologies, benchmarking and cost assurance.
Experience challenging contractor estimates and commercial submissions.
Experience leading, coaching and developing individuals or teams.
Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex cost information clearly and effectively.
Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
A passion for developing people and building high-performing teams.
We'd particularly like to hear from
Experienced Civil Senior Estimators ready to progress into their first management role.
Existing Estimating Managers seeking a strategic client-side leadership opportunity.
Candidates with experience in water, wastewater, civil engineering or major infrastructure projects.
Desirable
Experience working within the water sector or another regulated industry.
Knowledge of benchmarking techniques, cost intelligence and data-driven estimating.
Experience using estimating software, such as Candy or similar estimating tools
Membership of ACostE, RICS, ICE or a similar professional body.
Why join us?
At United Utilities, you'll help influence investment decisions that directly impact customers, communities and the environment across the North West. You'll work client-side on one of the UK's largest capital investment programmes, providing independent challenge, assurance and insight that helps shape future infrastructure investment.
You'll lead a talented team, influence senior decision-makers and play a key role in developing a market-leading estimating function.
26 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after four years, plus bank holidays
Competitive pension with up to 14% employer contribution
Up to 20% annual bonus
Car allowance
Company-funded healthcare
Hybrid and flexible working
Excellent career development opportunities
The opportunity to work on one of the UK's most significant water and wastewater investment programmes
About United Utilities
United Utilities proudly serves the North West, delivering high-quality water and wastewater services that support healthier communities, a stronger economy and a greener environment.
We're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every requirement, we'd still love to hear from you. Diverse perspectives help us build stronger teams and better outcomes for our customers and communities.
Working at United Utilities
3 office days / week – 3 days in the office, 2 days from home
A little flex time
Company employees:
7,500
Gender diversity (m:f):
65:35
Hiring in countries
United Kingdom
Office Locations
Company benefits
26 days annual leave + bank holidays
Annual bonus – Bonus levels vary depending on your role grade
Buy or sell annual leave – Buy or sell up to 5 days per year
Death in service – covered for 4 times pensionable earnings
Cinema discounts
Employee recognition scheme – Colleague led recognition scheme with monthly winners
Cycle to work scheme
Dental coverage
Collaboration spaces
Electric Car Salary Sacrifice
Employee assistance programme
Enhanced maternity leave – Up to 26 weeks leave at full pay
Enhanced pension match/contribution – Up to 21% combined contributions
Enhanced sick days
Ergonomic workstations
Faith rooms
Family health insurance
Further education support – Ongoing learning opportunities through apprenticeships and vocational training
Gym membership – On-site gym at our head office & discounts on local gyms for those not based there
Health cash plan
Health insurance
In house training
Mental health days – 1 wellbeing day per year (in addition to annual leave)
Mental health first aiders
Compassionate leave
Enhanced paternity leave – Up to 4 weeks leave at full pay
Mental health platform access – Offering mental health consultations, health checks, digital fitness resources, and wellbeing support.
On-site gym
Open to compressed hours
Open to part time work for some roles
Adoption leave
Private GP service – via our virtual GP - available to you and your loved ones
Professional subscriptions
Referral bonus – of £500
Neonatal leave
Reservist leave – Reservists/Army Reserve with 6 months service are entitled to 10 days paid leave per year to attend the annual training camp.
