Head of Estimating - @One Alliance

Mott MacDonald Bentley are recruiting for a Head of Estimating to join the Anglian Water @One Alliance.

As part of Anglian Water’s @one Alliance, we are on a mission to create a sustainable and resilient future for water. With an ambitious £2.3 billion capital investment in AMP8, we are revolutionising infrastructure, sustainability, and digital transformation to protect the environment and support growing communities

The Opportunity

We are looking for an exceptional Head of Estimating to lead our estimating function across the @one Alliance during AMP8—our most ambitious investment cycle to date.

This is a high-impact strategic leadership role, responsible for shaping estimating strategy, driving commercial excellence, and supporting the successful delivery of over 750 capital projects. You and your team will play a critical role in determining project value, performance, and risk—ensuring the right commercial outcomes for the business, our customers, and the environment.

What You’ll Be Doing

Strategic Leadership

• Lead and evolve the estimating strategy in line with our goals for affordability, carbon reduction, and environmental performance
• Take full accountability for all estimating activities across the @one Alliance
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing estimating team
• Own and maintain the business cost base, ensuring accuracy and relevance
• Champion a culture of commercial excellence, transparency, and outperformance
  
  

Project Delivery & Estimating

• Oversee estimates across key delivery milestones, including:
• Affordability assessments and early-stage cost assurance
• Optioneering with high-level budget estimates
• Outline & detailed design estimates, combining top-down and bottom-up methodologies
• Ensure consistency, robustness, and quality across all estimate outputs
  
  

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work closely with internal teams including Design, Commercial, Project Management, Construction, Planning and Procurement
• Build strong relationships with supply chain partners and cost intelligence teams
• Maintain integrity of the estimating process while balancing stakeholder needs
  
  

Cost Capture & Intelligence

• Lead all cost capture activities to enhance the business cost base
• Collaborate with commercial and procurement teams to capture accurate project data
• Use insights to improve estimating accuracy and inform regulatory submissions
  
  

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Drive improvements in estimating systems, tools, and processes
• Champion standard product use and challenge inefficiencies
• Support innovation initiatives with cost modelling and analysis
  
  

People & Culture

• Develop, coach, and inspire your team to deliver high performance
• Champion diversity, inclusion, and a culture where every voice is heard
• Ensure team wellbeing, engagement, and continuous development
  
  

Health & Safety

• Promote a strong safety culture with a goal of zero incidents
• Ensure compliance with H&S policies, audits, and reporting
• Lead by example in safe working practices
  
  

About You

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree-qualified in a relevant discipline
• Proven experience leading large estimating functions within major capital programmes (£100m+ annually)
• Background with a principal contractor on complex infrastructure or construction projects
• In depth knowledge of estimating, commercial, and financial processes
• Experience with NEC3, PSC and ECC contracts (particularly Option C)
• Demonstrated ability to influence strategic business outcomes
• Professional qualification (RICS, ICES, CIOB) desirable
  
  

Skills & Attributes

• Strategic, innovative, and proactive mindset
• Strong leadership and team development capabilities
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Confident in challenging and influencing senior stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills, including simplifying financial information
• Results-driven with a focus on quality and continuous improvement
• Collaborative and motivated team player
  
  

At @one Alliance, you’ll be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking team that is shaping the future of the UK’s water infrastructure. We offer a collaborative and innovative working environment, where your expertise will be valued and your ideas will drive meaningful change.

JN Bentley benefits to be found in the booklet attached.