Cost Estimator

Cost Estimator
Location: Warwick (Hybrid - 1-2 days per week)
Pay Rate: £450 per day (Inside IR35)
Contract Length: 6-month contract (potential extension)

The Opportunity

We're supporting a major infrastructure programme seeking a Cost Estimator to play a key role in improving cost visibility and financial control across a complex, high-profile project.

This is a fantastic opportunity to step into a high-impact role, working alongside project, commercial, and finance teams to bring structure, clarity, and confidence to project spend.

If you enjoy working in a collaborative environment and thrive on bringing order to complexity, this role offers genuine influence and ownership from day one.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage cost tracking, validation, and reporting across the project
• Support the monthly reporting cycle, including actuals and forward forecasting
• Produce accurate cost forecasts and monitor variances against budget
• Work closely with:
  • Project Managers
  • Quantity Surveyors (QS)
  • Finance teams
• Ensure consistent and accurate flow of financial information between teams
• Support cost allocation and analysis across project workstreams
• Help establish and improve cost control processes and reporting structures
• Contribute to improving confidence in project cost visibility and forecasting

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Proven experience in cost control, cost engineering, or project cost management
• Strong understanding of:
  • Forecasting
  • Cost tracking and reporting
  • Variance analysis
• Excellent financial acumen and attention to detail
• Strong Excel skills
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders across projects or functions
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, evolving environment

Desirable

• Experience in:
  • Infrastructure, engineering, or regulated environments
  • Joint venture (JV) or cost-sharing environments
• Exposure to commercial frameworks (eg NEC, FIDIC)
• Experience working alongside project delivery and commercial teams

Please note: Due to the high volume of applications, only successful candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within 48 hours, unfortunately, your application has not been successful on this occasion. However, we may retain your details for any future suitable vacancies and contact you accordingly.

Pontoon is an employment consultancy. We put expertise, energy, and enthusiasm into improving everyone's chance of being part of the workplace. We respect and appreciate people of all ethnicities, generations, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, and more. We do this by showcasing their talents, skills, and unique experience in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we will be happy to support you. 

We use generative AI tools to support our candidate screening process. This helps us ensure a fair, consistent, and efficient experience for all applicants. Rest assured, all final decisions are made by our hiring team, and your application will be reviewed with care and attention.