Estimator

Leeds, England, United Kingdom

12/20/2024

Job Title: Estimator

Salary: £36,124 - £37,938

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Leeds Building Services – LS14 1NZ

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions .

Leeds Building Services (LBS) is the in-house service provider for construction, repairs and maintenance works across the Council. The service currently delivers Responsive Repairs, Maintenance and Planned Works to Council Houses across various parts of the City and Council Assets across 800 sites including Schools, the Civic Estate, Offices, Sports and Leisure Centers and Children’s Homes across the Authority.

As an Estimator you will:

• Provide a support service to contribute to the delivery of business improvement plans, for Leeds Building Services focussing on a range of activities which will deliver value for money to customers and contribute to the delivery of Council priorities.
• Responsible for estimating according to business needs within Leeds Building Services.
• Responsible for providing programme of works as required and maintain contractual information.
• Responsible for providing detailed labour/plant and material construction estimates and quotes to enable Leeds Building Services to procure and quote for internal and external works.
• Liaise regularly with all relevant stakeholders and external agencies to facilitate the development of tenders, quotes, and budgets.
  
  
  

About the Role:

This is a great opportunity to move into a vibrant and forward-thinking environment supporting the delivery of a diverse range of construction services. This role will appeal to you if you have a genuine interest in the delivery of public services and a commitment to continuous improvement and delivery of a high-quality service.

Examples of the type of work involved:

• Accurately identify the labour, materials and plant requirements of the tenders and quotes. Providing accurate tender costings/quotations to the budget holder to determine if the works will proceed.
• To accurately use specifications, drawings, client site visits and Schedule of Rates (SOR’s) to facilitate tender/quotes.
• To proactively assess and implement methods of temporary works for inclusion into the tender, quote, and budget.
• Advise on cost reductions where tender costs have exceeded the client’s budget and provide alternative solutions.
• Provide sub-contractor pricing documentation prior to tendering.
  
  
  

In addition, ideally you will have a proven track record of working as part of a dedicated team and be effective in managing competing priorities and workloads, responding quickly and appropriately to changing needs and be able to demonstrate excellent organisation and influencing skills. Our teams are proactive, highly skilled, self-motivated, and actively seek opportunities to deliver.

What we offer you:

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.
  
  
  

For more information about our benefits please see the benefits section of our jobs page. www.leeds.gov.uk/jobs

How To Apply

Apply for this job online. Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job Purpose: To support the delivery of a customer focussed, safe, efficient and comprehensive construction, repairs and maintenance service through the Council’s internal service provider. The Estimator will provide support to the commercial team, provide estimates for proposed works and assist with commercial activity across LBS.

Responsibilities

• Provide a support service to contribute to the delivery of business improvement plans, for Leeds Building Services focussing on a range of activities which will deliver value for money to customers and contribute to the delivery of Council priorities.
• Responsible for estimating according to business needs within Leeds Building Services.
• Responsible for providing programme of works as required and maintain contractual information.
• Responsible for providing detailed labour/plant and material construction estimates and quotes to enable Leeds Building Services to procure and quote for internal and external works.
• Liaise regularly with all relevant stakeholders and external agencies to facilitate the development of tenders, quotes, and budgets.
• Accurately identify the labour, materials and plant requirements of the tenders and quotes. Providing accurate tender costings/quotations to the budget holder to determine if the works will proceed.
• To accurately use specifications, drawings, client site visits and Schedule of Rates (SOR’s) to facilitate tender/quotes.
• To proactively assess and implement methods of temporary works for inclusion into the tender, quote, and budget.
• Advise on cost reductions where tender costs have exceeded the client’s budget and provide alternative solutions.
• Provide sub-contractor pricing documentation prior to tendering.
• Evaluate sub-contractors’ quotations/prices for submission into estimates for accuracy.
• Attend all project meetings as required to support service delivery in line with Service Level Agreements.
• Provide advice and guidance around feasibility and value engineering.
• Advise on cost reductions where tender costs have exceeded the client’s budget and providing alternative solutions.
• Identify and correct errors and omissions in the pricing documents and escalate to management.
• Maintain effective relationships with Housing Leeds, other Council Directorates, external partners, and agencies to deliver contracts and ensure effective revenue and capital investment are achieved.
• Maintain a high level of personal effectiveness and uphold and promote the values of Leeds City Council.
• Ensure all activities are delivered in accordance with all legal and regulatory requirement and in line with the Council’s policies and procedures.
• Work flexibly across the Leeds Building Service to respond to Service priorities as needed.
• Provide support to the management of Leeds Building Services schemes and Subcontracts.
• To be accurate and efficient in the inputting and processing of data and in the use of ICT systems.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• To participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
• To improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
• To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the values, standards, and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
  
  
  

Qualifications:

• HNC/HND in Building Surveying or equivalent demonstrable experience. A full driving licence is required for this role.
  
  
  

Essential requirements: It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonst`rate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Skills Required

• Able to provide effective leadership, direction and coordination regarding resources, workloads, processes, and projects.
• Able to manage and monitor performance effectively and provide clear objectives.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Able to resolve potential conflict and to gain cooperation and trust with colleagues and service users.
• Able to develop productive working relationships that command respect, trust, and confidence.
• Strong customer care focus and ability to communicate effectively with customers, staff, contractors, and elected members face to face, over the phone or in writing.
• Able to manage competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of service objectives and whilst adapting to changing circumstances.
• Able to use IT applications (Word & Excel) and management information systems including palm held technology (Total Mobile).
• Able to produce work of a high standard with attention to detail, whilst meeting often tight deadlines
• Able to work across service boundaries to achieve objectives and outcomes.
• Able to use own initiative to develop solutions to issues and problems to ensure effective delivery of the service.
• Able to assess and diagnose statistical information.
• Able to identify and correct errors and omissions in pricing documents and escalate to management.
• Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
  
  
  

Knowledge Required

• Industry recognised qualification.
• Understanding of the role of Elected Members within the Council and the community.
• Understanding of the diverse needs of communities and neighbourhoods and of how to involve them effectively in finding solutions to the issues they face.
• Understanding of and commitment to equality and diversity in terms of both employment and service delivery.
• Understanding of landlord legislation with particular emphasis on landlord’s repair and maintenance obligations.
• Understanding of responsibilities in terms of Health and Safety.
• A strong awareness of Asbestos related issues and responsibilities.
• Understanding of the Council values and a commitment to embed them into ways of working.
  
  
  

Experience Required

• Of working within a service area relevant to the post.
• Of working as an Estimator within a relevant service area.
• Of working effectively with a range of colleagues, partners, and contractors.
• Of problem solving, individually and in a group setting.
  
  
  

Essential Behavioural & Other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of
• Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
  
  
  

Desirable Requirements: It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Skills Required

• Able to coach, develop and support new colleagues including apprentices.
  
  
  

Knowledge Required

• Understanding of HR Policies and procedures
• Of standard forms of contracts for both pre and post contract necessity for the legal and commercial management of both main and sub-contracts
  
  
  

Experience Required

• Of coaching and developing staff.
• Of responding to compliments and complaints.
• Of successfully presenting complex information to a range of audiences carrying out training or briefing sessions to staff/colleagues and partners.
  
  
  

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