Head of Commercial Estimating
| Posting date: | 05 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £70,000 to £75,000 per hour |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 07 March 2026 |
| Location: | Wellingborough, Northamptonshire |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Tom Orange Recruitment |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | Head Esti |
Summary
Role Overview:
We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Commercial Solar PV Estimator to lead the estimating function across our commercial and industrial (C&I) Solar PV and battery storage client base. Working with the Directors, this role has full responsibility for pricing strategy, margin protection and risk assessment from initial enquiry through contract to award. You will act as the technical and commercial authority on project pricing, supporting senior management, sales and delivery teams to ensure projects are secured at the right margin and delivered profitably.
Key Responsibilities:
Commercial Leadership & Strategy
Own and develop the commercial estimating strategy for all C&I Solar PV and BESS projects
Set pricing frameworks, margin expectations, and risk allowances
Review and approve all major project estimates prior to submission
Provide commercial challenge to sales-led pricing where required
Support board-level decision making on bid/no-bid assessments
Estimating & Tender Management
Lead the production of complex, high-value estimates, and tenders
Oversee detailed cost build-ups including equipment, labour, access, prelims, DNO and compliance costs
Assist the board in managing supplier and subcontractor pricing agreements
Identify and mitigate technical and commercial
Drive value engineering and alternative design solutions
Ensure all submissions are technically compliant and commercially robust
Technical Authority & Compliance
Act as internal subject matter expert for MCS, G99/G100, DNO, BS7671 and CDM requirements
Provide guidance on complex grid constraints, export limitation, battery integration, and metering strategies
Review system design assumptions to ensure estimates are buildable and compliant
Support resolution of technical queries during tender and post-award phases
Stakeholder & Team Management
Line manage and mentor junior and mid-level estimators
Develop estimating tools, templates, and standardised cost models
Work closely with Managing Director, Commercial Director, Project Managers and Procurement
Support client meetings, technical presentations, and commercial negotiations
Assist with post-contract reviews, variations and lessons learned
Governance & Continuous Improvement
Maintain benchmarking data for costs, productivity, and margins
Implement continuous improvement across estimating accuracy and processes
Support contract negotiations and commercial handover to delivery teams
Review project performance against estimates to improve future pricing
Required Experience & Skills:
Essential
Extensive experience estimating commercial and industrial Solar PV projects
Proven track record pricing multi-site or high-value C&I solar and battery projects
Deep understanding of UK compliance: MCS, DNO, G99/G100, BS7671, CDM
Strong commercial acumen with experience protecting margins in competitive markets
Ability to lead, review and challenge estimates produced by others
Advanced Excel skills and strong financial modelling capability
Desirable
Experience in EPC contracting environments
Battery energy storage (BESS) and energy management systems experience
Knowledge of PPAs, export strategies and commercial energy tariffs
Familiarity with PV design and modelling software
Personal Attributes
Confident decision-maker with authority and credibility
Commercially driven and risk aware
Strong leadership and mentoring capability
Comfortable engaging at senior management and client level
Pragmatic, delivery-focused and solutions orientated
What We Offer
Senior leadership role within a growing renewables business
Influence over pricing strategy and commercial direction
Competitive salary, bonus and benefits package consummate to experience.
Long-term career progression and leadership opportunity
Working for a forward thinking, dynamic, employee friendly company.
We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Commercial Solar PV Estimator to lead the estimating function across our commercial and industrial (C&I) Solar PV and battery storage client base. Working with the Directors, this role has full responsibility for pricing strategy, margin protection and risk assessment from initial enquiry through contract to award. You will act as the technical and commercial authority on project pricing, supporting senior management, sales and delivery teams to ensure projects are secured at the right margin and delivered profitably.
Key Responsibilities:
Commercial Leadership & Strategy
Own and develop the commercial estimating strategy for all C&I Solar PV and BESS projects
Set pricing frameworks, margin expectations, and risk allowances
Review and approve all major project estimates prior to submission
Provide commercial challenge to sales-led pricing where required
Support board-level decision making on bid/no-bid assessments
Estimating & Tender Management
Lead the production of complex, high-value estimates, and tenders
Oversee detailed cost build-ups including equipment, labour, access, prelims, DNO and compliance costs
Assist the board in managing supplier and subcontractor pricing agreements
Identify and mitigate technical and commercial
Drive value engineering and alternative design solutions
Ensure all submissions are technically compliant and commercially robust
Technical Authority & Compliance
Act as internal subject matter expert for MCS, G99/G100, DNO, BS7671 and CDM requirements
Provide guidance on complex grid constraints, export limitation, battery integration, and metering strategies
Review system design assumptions to ensure estimates are buildable and compliant
Support resolution of technical queries during tender and post-award phases
Stakeholder & Team Management
Line manage and mentor junior and mid-level estimators
Develop estimating tools, templates, and standardised cost models
Work closely with Managing Director, Commercial Director, Project Managers and Procurement
Support client meetings, technical presentations, and commercial negotiations
Assist with post-contract reviews, variations and lessons learned
Governance & Continuous Improvement
Maintain benchmarking data for costs, productivity, and margins
Implement continuous improvement across estimating accuracy and processes
Support contract negotiations and commercial handover to delivery teams
Review project performance against estimates to improve future pricing
Required Experience & Skills:
Essential
Extensive experience estimating commercial and industrial Solar PV projects
Proven track record pricing multi-site or high-value C&I solar and battery projects
Deep understanding of UK compliance: MCS, DNO, G99/G100, BS7671, CDM
Strong commercial acumen with experience protecting margins in competitive markets
Ability to lead, review and challenge estimates produced by others
Advanced Excel skills and strong financial modelling capability
Desirable
Experience in EPC contracting environments
Battery energy storage (BESS) and energy management systems experience
Knowledge of PPAs, export strategies and commercial energy tariffs
Familiarity with PV design and modelling software
Personal Attributes
Confident decision-maker with authority and credibility
Commercially driven and risk aware
Strong leadership and mentoring capability
Comfortable engaging at senior management and client level
Pragmatic, delivery-focused and solutions orientated
What We Offer
Senior leadership role within a growing renewables business
Influence over pricing strategy and commercial direction
Competitive salary, bonus and benefits package consummate to experience.
Long-term career progression and leadership opportunity
Working for a forward thinking, dynamic, employee friendly company.