Job Purpose
The Estimation Manager will be responsible for leading the estimation and tendering function for civil infrastructure projects. The role will oversee the preparation of accurate and competitive cost estimates, BOQs, tender submissions and commercial evaluations while ensuring alignment with project requirements, specifications and company commercial objectives.
The ideal candidate will have strong experience in UAE infrastructure projects, with exposure to roads, utilities, drainage, earthworks, structures and other major civil works.
Key Responsibilities
Estimation & Tendering
- Lead the estimation function for infrastructure and civil projects from tender receipt through submission.
- Review tender documents, drawings, specifications, BOQs, scope of work and contractual requirements.
- Develop detailed and accurate cost estimates for civil infrastructure projects.
- Prepare and review BOQs, quantity take-offs, rate analysis and pricing.
- Coordinate with suppliers and subcontractors to obtain competitive quotations.
- Evaluate subcontractor and supplier quotations and ensure commercial compliance.
- Identify project-specific risks, exclusions, assumptions and commercial qualifications.
- Prepare tender summaries, cost comparison sheets and final pricing recommendations.
- Ensure all tender submissions are accurate, commercially competitive and submitted within agreed deadlines.
Infrastructure Costing
- Prepare estimates for major civil works including earthworks, excavation, backfilling, roadworks, asphalt works, concrete works, utilities, drainage, sewerage, water networks and associated infrastructure.
- Analyse material, labour, plant, equipment and subcontractor costs.
- Develop project-specific unit rates based on market conditions, historical project data and supplier quotations.
- Review productivity norms and construction methodologies to ensure realistic costing.
- Maintain and continuously update the company's cost database and rate library.
Commercial & Contract Review
- Review tender conditions, contract requirements, specifications and commercial terms.
- Identify contractual risks, scope gaps, variations and potential cost implications during the tender stage.
- Coordinate with the commercial and contracts teams on tender clarifications and qualifications.
- Support negotiations with clients, consultants, suppliers and subcontractors where required.
- Provide commercial input during post-tender negotiations and clarification stages.
Team Management
- Lead, mentor and supervise the estimation team.
- Allocate tenders and estimation activities across the team based on priorities and deadlines.
- Review and validate estimates prepared by estimators and quantity surveyors.
- Establish quality checks to minimise errors in quantity take-offs, pricing and tender submissions.
- Develop estimation procedures, templates and best practices to improve efficiency and accuracy.
Business Development Support
- Work closely with the Business Development and Civil teams to assess upcoming infrastructure opportunities.
- Provide preliminary cost estimates and budgetary pricing for potential projects.
- Support management in evaluating project viability, margins and commercial risks.
- Maintain awareness of current UAE construction market rates, subcontractor pricing and material costs.
Key Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or a related discipline.
- 10+ years of experience in estimation and tendering, preferably within civil infrastructure and construction.
- Minimum 5 years in a senior estimation / estimation management role.
- Strong experience in UAE infrastructure projects is preferred.
- Proven experience in preparing estimates for roads, utilities, drainage, earthworks and associated infrastructure works.
- Strong understanding of BOQ preparation, quantity take-offs, rate analysis and cost planning.
- Experience evaluating subcontractor and supplier quotations.
- Strong understanding of construction methodologies and productivity norms.
- Good knowledge of UAE construction market rates and local subcontractor/supplier landscape.
- Strong knowledge of AutoCAD, MS Excel and estimation/tendering software.
- Knowledge of Primavera P6 or similar planning software would be an advantage.
- Strong analytical, commercial and negotiation skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred Project Experience
Candidates with experience in the following areas will be preferred:
- Roads and highways
- Infrastructure development
- Stormwater and drainage networks
- Sewerage and water networks
- Earthworks and excavation
- Utility networks
- Road construction and asphalt works
- Bridges and associated civil structures
- Government and semi-government infrastructure projects
- Large-scale residential or mixed-use infrastructure developments
