Are you passionate about supporting the Defence of the UK? Do you want a stimulating role, offering great development opportunities and the chance to make a real difference? If so, CAAS could have the ideal career for you! A career with us offers stability, professional development, and the chance to work across a complete range of Defence projects that no other department experiences due to our privileged access to major programmes and projects.

We are currently recruiting a Cost Estimator to sit within one of the advertised CAAS locations.This role offers the opportunity to work at the cutting edge of analysis with high profile stakeholders, and unique access to critical programmes and emerging military technology across the fascinating world of UK Defence, its allies and partners. We have the privilege to help secure the nation and protect its interests through leading cost management for MOD.

We also offer a great work-life balance in addition to an array of other benefits that come with being a member of the Civil Service. This is a genuinely exciting time to join the Ministry of Defence if you want to be at the heart of real Defence issues.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

The Cost Estimator role is responsible for cost estimating and cost modelling activities within the CAAS cost management environment and will lead, supervise and assure the preparation of cost estimates and the development of cost models. As a Cost Estimating Senior Executive Officer (SEO), you will be the estimating lead for high-value, high-profile projects. Working in an agile manner across programmes, you will provide Subject Matter Expert (SME) advice and guidance on cost estimating, ensuring robust quality estimates are provided to customers to inform decision making by senior management.

The Cost Estimator role is responsible for cost estimating and cost modelling activities within the CAAS cost management environment and will lead, supervise and assure the preparation of cost estimates and the development of cost models. As a Cost Estimating Senior Executive Officer (SEO), you will be the estimating lead for high-value, high-profile projects. Working in an agile manner across programmes, you will provide Subject Matter Expert (SME) advice and guidance on cost estimating, ensuring robust quality estimates are provided to customers to inform decision making by senior management.

Responsibilities: 

As a Cost Estimator, your activities will include but are not limited to:

• Line management of potential Higher Executive Officer (HEO) staff and Placement Line Manager to members of the Estimating Capability Development Scheme (ECDS). You will be managing and assuring tasks, providing on-the-shoulder upskilling and leadership to build high performing teams.
• Championing the development of the cost estimating function and actively participating in functional events to aid the advancement of the function, the team and personal development.
• An independent assurer, providing technical and independent challenge to cost estimating approaches and/or outputs to determine the robustness of the estimate, identifying issues and providing credible observations and recommendations for improvement.
• A technical lead, responsible for representing CAAS and sharing cost estimating knowledge and experience by providing technical expertise, process and ‘good practice’ documentation, for implementation across Defence.
• Development and delivery of technical training from entry level to technical specialist including training delivery to the ECDS.

 On a full-time basis these positions are advertised at 37 hours per week with alternative working patterns available. CAAS operate a hybrid working policy where there is flexibility to split the working week combining working from home and spending a minimum of 40% in the workplace, unless exceptional circumstances apply and/or you are an existing contractual home worker.

 

• Level 5 Qualification in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) based subject. 

• A proven track record and experience of cost estimating and analysis on a range of complex projects. 

• Relevant experience in leading and assuring cost estimates on projects/programmes 
. 
• Experience in presenting technical results and briefing recommendations to senior stakeholders. 

• Experience of line management or managing a delivery team. 

• Proficient in the use of Excel to analyse data.