Estimator / Cost Analyst

About the role

Balfour Beatty has an exciting opportunity for an Estimator / Cost Analyst to join our growing Power Transmission & Distribution business.

This role will primarily focus on the benchmarking and analysis of estimated costs associated with Substation, Overhead Line and Cable projects, supporting key clients including SSE and National Grid, while also providing support across other workstreams within Power T&D's wider client portfolio.

As a market leader in delivering major infrastructure projects, Balfour Beatty is experiencing a period of significant growth. This role plays a critical part in ensuring that robust benchmark data is available to support project estimates, internal governance requirements, and client cost assurance processes.

Benchmarking has become an increasingly important element of the estimating function, helping to validate cost estimates, drive consistency across projects, support internal investment decisions, and provide assurance to clients and regulatory bodies such as OFGEM.

Location: You can be based from any of our Balfour Beatty offices across the UK, including Derby, Leeds, Middlesbrough and the North West, with hybrid working available. Travel will be required to support business and project needs.

What you'll be doing

• Developing and maintaining benchmark databases for transmission and distribution projects.


• Analysing historic and live project cost data to identify trends, opportunities and risks.


• Supporting the preparation and review of project estimates through benchmarking and cost assurance activities.


• Working closely with estimating, commercial and operational teams to validate assumptions and cost models.


• Producing benchmarking reports and insights to support internal governance reviews and client submissions.


• Supporting OFGEM and client assurance requirements through the provision of robust cost intelligence and analysis.


• Continuously improving benchmarking processes, tools and reporting methodologies.


• Collaborating with stakeholders across the business to drive data quality and consistency.

Who we're looking for

We're keen to hear from candidates with experience in estimating, quantity surveying, commercial management, cost analysis or benchmarking within construction, engineering, utilities or infrastructure environments.

You'll also have:

• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.


• Excellent attention to detail.


• The ability to challenge assumptions and provide evidence-based recommendations.


• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.


• Experience working with large datasets and cost information.


• A collaborative approach and desire to drive continuous improvement.

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK's most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

Why join us?

As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn't rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You'll have the freedom to shape the package that's right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:

- Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
- 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
- Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave
- Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more...

About us

Balfour Beatty's Power Transmission & Distribution teams work with regional, national and international electricity network owners and operators to provide technical engineering solutions across the full spectrum of the electricity grid, including overhead lines, cabling, substations and distribution networks.

From scoping and feasibility, to design, construction and on-going maintenance, our in-house experts, flexible resources and industry-leading innovations support customers in the development of some of the UK's most ambitious power transmission and distribution projects.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion

To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/

We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at: candidaterecruitmentqueries@balfourbeatty.com