Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) is seeking an experienced Lead Estimator to join the NWS Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) Programme team and to support wider NWS estimating capability. This is a significant leadership role within one of the UK’s most nationally significant infrastructure programmes.
As Lead Estimator, you will be responsible for delivering a comprehensive estimating and cost modelling service for the GDF Programme and for other NWS nuclear projects. You will define, own and continuously improve cost estimating and modelling processes and procedures, ensuring consistent, high‑quality outputs. The role holds accountability for the GDF whole‑life cost model, maintaining and updating cost estimates that inform investment decisions and support engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including regulatory bodies.
You’ll shape NWS estimating approach, build modelling capability, and ensure estimates are accurate, validated, and aligned to strategic goals. Your expertise will underpin business cases, risk assessments, and whole‑lifecycle planning. This is a key leadership role with real influence on national‑level programmes.
The GDF programme offers meaningful, purpose‑driven work at national scale, providing long‑term career stability and the opportunity to collaborate with leading experts across science, engineering and delivery—helping to protect people and the environment for generations to come.
- Represent NWS as the Estimating Lead, exemplifying company values and behaviours, providing leadership and support to Estimating professionals, and ensuring a culture of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
- Lead, manage and develop the Estimating and Cost Modelling function, including line management, performance management, and staff development, as well as acting as design authority reviewer for all Estimating-related training and education.
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve Estimating and Cost processes, procedures, governance frameworks, tools, controls, and resources, ensuring they are aligned with industry best practice and regulatory requirements.
- Deliver high-quality, auditable cost estimates and models for GDF & NWS projects and programmes across the lifecycle, including baseline, scenario, and updated estimates, ensuring they are transparent, well-evidenced, and support business cases, risk analysis, and decision-making.
- Integrate cost estimating activities with planning, risk management, and change control to produce realistic, risk-based estimates (e.g., P50 and P80 confidence levels), evaluating cost impacts of changes in scope, schedule, or risk.
- Lead verification, validation, and assurance of estimates, ensuring robust challenge and positive outcomes from internal, external, and regulatory reviews, and supporting independent assurance processes.
- Collaborate with Programme and Project Managers, Procurement, supply chain, and multidisciplinary teams to evaluate contractor bids, challenge costs, ensure value for money, and deliver high-quality commercial decisions.
- Stay abreast of evolving business needs, industry best practice, and regulatory change to ensure continuous enhancement of cost estimating accuracy and efficiency, and manage the maintenance and improvement of estimating tools, data sources, and processes.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Essential Skills
- Proven experience working within a major programme or project controls environment, delivering cost estimating for major, complex projects or programmes.
- Professionally qualified in a relevant discipline (or able to demonstrate equivalent experience), with membership of, or progress towards membership of, a relevant professional body (e.g. ACostE, APM).
- Demonstrable experience analysing complex cost models, defining and challenging underpinning assumptions, and identifying key drivers, interdependencies, risks and opportunities.
- Excellent analytical and numerical skills, with the capability to interpret complex datasets and communicate insights effectively to a wide range of technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to build effective working relationships with stakeholders and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and organisational levels.
- Resilient and adaptable, able to work under pressure, manage competing priorities and respond effectively to change.
- Advanced knowledge and proficiency in Estimating software, technical knowledge of cost estimating methodologies and techniques, including scheduling, risk and change management, with proficiency in cost estimating tools and Microsoft Office.
Desirable Skills
- Degree, HND or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Construction, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline.
- Experience delivering cost estimating and modelling services within a highly regulated environment.
- Familiarity with projects and programme delivery in the Nuclear Industry
- Management and leadership skills
- Accreditation with a professional body and commitment to professional development
For employees on RWM T&C's, this role is 3-2
