Chief Estimator

Job Title: Chief Estimator

Location: Broad Oak, Hampshire
Contract: 6 Month Contract (Permanent opportunity also available)
IR35: Inside IR35
Rates: £66.63 ph Umbrella £49.38 ph PAYE

Umbrella rate quoted is the gross rate paid to the umbrella company (inclusive of all employment costs). Take home pay will be lower. Please get in touch for a breakdown across Umbrella, PAYE or Deemed options.

Due to the nature of the role, this position requires Security Clearance (SC), including BPSS checks, UK right to work eligibility without sponsorship, and a minimum of five years' UK residency, please get in touch if you're unsure about your eligibility.

About the Role

We're seeking a Chief Estimator to take ownership of all pricing activity across the Naval Ships Combat Systems portfolio. This is a senior, high impact role responsible for ensuring bids and contracts are competitive, compliant and deliver strong commercial returns while balancing risk and reward.

You'll lead pricing strategy, influence senior stakeholders, and set direction for future estimating approaches across the business.

What You'll Be Doing

As Chief Estimator - Naval Combat Systems, you'll provide leadership across the estimating function and wider project controls community, acting as the authority on pricing, costing and commercial assurance.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and lead the pricing strategy for the Combat Systems business


• Own pricing governance across bids and contracts, including audits and SLT recommendations


• Provide expert leadership and guidance on estimating and costing activities


• Lead upskilling across estimating, commercial and project controls teams


• Drive development and adoption of effective estimating tools and methodologies


• Lead pricing for strategically important bids and contracts (£20m+)


• Ensure compliant pricing delivery for lower value bids via project controls teams


• Partner with cross functional teams to ensure estimating integrity and competitiveness


• Lead and support supplier pricing strategy and negotiations to ensure value for money

What You'll Need to Succeed

Essential:

• Strong analytical and problem solving capability


• Ability to clearly interpret and present complex pricing and commercial models


• Excellent estimating and commercial acumen, including negotiation leadership


• Experience shaping innovative pricing strategies and estimating techniques


• Strong stakeholder management skills, including Senior Leadership engagement

Desirable:

• Experience working in Defence or with the MOD


• Understanding of SSR and regulated defence pricing environments


• Knowledge of both design and delivery environments (software exposure advantageous)

Why Apply?

This is a senior opportunity to shape pricing strategy at enterprise level, influence major defence programmes, and play a critical role in the commercial success of a complex naval combat systems portfolio.

What's My Next Step?

If you're a senior estimating leader ready to make an impact, apply now or get in touch to discuss the role in more detail.