Interim Estimator/Bid Writer - Hybrid
Purpose: Run the front end of tenders, from take-off to costed bid, through to January 2027
Location: Remote, with occasional days at our Market Harborough office
Our client designs, installs and manages the network infrastructure behind some of the most demanding buildings in the UK and Europe: data centres, stadia, hospitals, research facilities and major commercial developments. They work for Tier 1 general contractors and data centre operators on projects where the network cannot fail, and they stay on as the managed service partner once the building is live.
We need an experienced estimator or bid writer for the next three months. A permanent Bid Manager joins in January 2027. The core of the role is the front end of the bid: reading the specification and drawings, taking off quantities, sourcing supplier and subcontractor pricing, and building a clean cost model that directors can review, price and sign off. If you can also draft the quality responses and carry a tender through to submission, so much the better, but that is a bonus rather than the brief. You will finish by handing over an organised, documented tender desk to the incoming Bid Manager.
Key elements of this role:
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Review incoming tender packs, specifications and drawings and flag queries, gaps and clarifications early.
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Take off quantities and build accurate, auditable cost models for active network, structured cabling and installation packages.
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Source and compare supplier, distributor and subcontractor quotations and chase them to deadline.
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Keep the bid tracker current: every live tender, its deadline, status and what is still outstanding.
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Present a costed, clearly documented bid to the directors for pricing and sign-off, with assumptions and exclusions recorded.
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Where you have the experience, draft quality and method responses and take tenders through to submission.
Ultimately - Hand over a well-organised tender library, cost models and bid tracker to the incoming Bid Manager in January.
What we are looking for:
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Estimating experience with a specialist subcontractor, ideally in network infrastructure, structured cabling, M&E, security or BMS.
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Confident reading construction specifications, drawings and tender packs from Tier 1 contractors.
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Strong Excel and a disciplined approach to cost models, rates and assumptions.
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Organised and self-sufficient: comfortable holding several tenders at once and chasing input from busy senior people.
*** Available to start at short notice and commit to the full term.
Bonus skills:
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Bid writing: drafting quality and method responses and running a tender through to submission.
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Pricing data centre or critical environment installations.
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Experience of Cisco, Juniper, HPE Aruba or similar vendor pricing and distributor channels.
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Familiarity with NEC or JCT subcontract terms.
In return you will get:
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A clear, time-bound brief and a live tender list to pick up from day one.
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Direct access to the Managing Director and technical directors for pricing and design input.
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Competitive day rate or pro rata salary, dependent on experience.
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Fully remote working, with the office in Market Harborough available when useful.
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Directors who price and sign off, so you are not carrying the commercial risk alone.
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Scope to be considered for a permanent position within the bid team as it grows
