Investment Estimating Manager

Affinity Water have an opportunity for an Estimating Manager;  the role will lead a team of three Estimating Engineers and two Estimating Data Engineers to maintain and apply asset cost capture processes and models that enable routine expenditure planning, scheme estimating, benchmarking and efficiency challenges, which are compatible with the needs of our Business and Water Resource Management Plans, and other Stakeholders.

This role is within the Asset Strategy and Capital Delivery Directorate and reports to the Head of Investment Programme Management (IPM). The Head of IPM is responsible for the following teams: Investment Estimating, Investment Portfolio, Investment Portfolio Risk & Planning, Programme Management Office, and closely collaborates with other Business Partner’s support (e.g. finance, commercial).

Our Cost Intelligence Strategy model focuses on costs understanding throughout our project life cycles for risk assessment, benchmarking, portfolio optimisation, value management, benefits realisation and to facilitate estimating by others. 
Your expertise will help to secure profitable contracts and deliver projects within budget.

Responsibilities: 

• Ensure professional and consistent cost engineering management (monitoring, reporting systems, procedures) is in place to meet project requirements, quality standards and objectives.
• Support continuous improvement through cost engineering techniques and processes, identifying inefficiencies and cost optimisation opportunities.
• Monitor, review data and information to detect and assess challenges and make recommendations to resolve issues to ensure KPIs are delivered.
• Review, analyse and understand economic trends and consider risks and cost implications.
• Utilise cost methodologies to prepare and maintain reliable and accurate data.
• Provide strategic information and reports to share with wider teams as and when required.
• Report on achievement of targets and identify any actions required.
• Manage, coach, and develop a high performing cost estimating team that delivers best practice results, added value and continuous improvements.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure optimal performance.
• Work closely with the Commercial and Procurement team to ensure strategies are maximised.
• Collaborating with wider team to manage the delivery of KPIs, investment programme performance, cost control, and value engineering.
• Contributes to the creation and implementation of best practice, cost estimating vision, strategy, policies, processes and procedures.
• Stay up to date with changes and support stakeholders with project changes ensuring all associated costs are identified and tracked against the budget.
• Driving improvements in the accuracy of forecasts and budgets.
• Oversee contractor quotations.
• Managing contract change effectively, ensuring that projects remain within governance and adopt best practice.
• Support wider team in negotiations to challenge quotation prices and aim for cost reductions to meet target costs.

Requirements: 

• Ideally degree qualified (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
• Ideally hold or be working towards an appropriate professional body membership or equivalent.
• A good level of experience of estimating within the water or the utility industry.

Key skills:

• Highly skilled communicator with the ability to form and maintain good relationships internally and externally.
• Proven management skills with the ability to optimise team performance and development.
  
• Commercial and financial acumen.
• Highly developed analytical skills.
• Strong technical mindset and able to read and interpret technical data and translate to others.
• Highly numerate with the ability to research, assemble and manage numerical information.
• Advanced knowledge of estimating strategies and techniques.
• Results orientated and organised with the ability to plan and deliver against deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail

Benefits

• Basic salary £75,000 - £80,000 
• Level 2 Car Allowance £4300 
• Company annual bonus
• Annual leave 24 days rising with length of service
• A generous pension scheme that doubles the contributions you make, up to a maximum of 12%
• We offer enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave. We also have a Carers policy and Menopause policy to help us support our people through different stages of their lives.
• Access to our Wellbeing Centre with support for looking after your physical and mental
• Discounts for Medical and Dental Insurance, Retail Outlets
• Volunteer days
• Life Assurance

Affinity Water recognises the benefits of greater diversity in our workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We are committed to building a more inclusive culture where every member of our workforce can thrive.

You can find out what it’s like to work at Affinity Water through our career site https://www.affinitywatercareers.co.uk/ where our colleagues share their career development stories and you can get a feel for our company culture.

Affinity Water recognises the benefits of greater diversity in our workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We are committed to building a more inclusive culture where every member of our workforce can thrive.