Cost Estimator

Hollybank Trustees Ltd; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Hollybank Trustees Ltd invites a meticulous Cost Estimator to join our growing civil infrastructure team in Botany, NSW. You’ll develop quantities, pricing and cost models from first principles to build competitive tenders.

Reporting to the Precontracts Manager, you’ll work with estimating, engineering and operations to price work accurately, ensure delivery viability and win complex projects across utilities and transport.

Qualifications

• Experience preparing cost estimates within civil construction or infrastructure.
• Strong numeracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications and scopes of work.
• Experience with estimating software and pricing schedules.

Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates from first principles across civil, water and wastewater, electrical and mixed-utility scopes.
• Develop quantities, take-offs and measured works from drawings, specifications and site information.
• Source, analyse and level subcontractor and supplier quotations to build competitive rates.
• Build and maintain cost models, pricing schedules and estimate build-ups.
• Contribute to bid strategy, pricing decisions and tender risk reviews.
• Work with operations and engineering teams to test delivery methodologies and cost impact.
• Support collaborative procurement models including Early Contractor Involvement (ECI).
• Continually improve estimating tools, rate libraries and processes.

Skills

Cost estimation

Civil construction

Numeracy

Reading drawings

Estimating software

Job description

Location: On site / Botany NSW 2019, Australia
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Engineering | Civil
Salary: Negotiable salary

Price the work. Win the work. Build the future.

We are a young, ambitious and rapidly growing infrastructure contractor delivering some of Australia's most critical civil and utility infrastructure.

Our focus is on the infrastructure that enables tomorrow's communities and digital economy from power and water networks through to the essential infrastructure supporting Australia's growth.

The demand for critical infrastructure has never been greater.

Driven by unprecedented investment in data centres, power, water and enabling infrastructure, our business is entering an exciting new phase of growth. We're looking for a talented Cost Estimator to help us win it.

This isn't a role where you'll inherit decades of legacy processes. It's an opportunity to shape how we estimate, sharpen the way we price work and help build a function that becomes a genuine competitive advantage.

If you're energised by getting the numbers right and helping win complex infrastructure projects, we'd love to hear from you.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Precontracts Manager, the Cost Estimator will play a central role in pricing and building competitive, well-considered tenders across our civil and utility infrastructure work.

You'll take ownership of estimates from first principles, developing quantities, pricing and cost models, while partnering closely with the wider precontracts and operational teams to shape how projects are pursued, developed and secured.

Success in this role is measured by more than submitted numbers. It's about accuracy, commercial insight and building estimates that hold up through delivery and give us the edge to win.

• Preparing detailed cost estimates from first principles across civil, water and wastewater, electrical and mixed-utility scopes.
• Developing quantities, take-offs and measured works from drawings, specifications and site information.
• Sourcing, analysing and levelling subcontractor and supplier quotations to build competitive rates.
• Building and maintaining cost models, pricing schedules and estimate build-ups.
• Contributing to bid strategy, pricing decisions and tender risk and opportunity reviews.
• Working closely with operational and engineering teams to test delivery methodologies and their cost impact.
• Supporting collaborative procurement models including Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and negotiated opportunities.
• Continually improving estimating tools, rate libraries and processes.

About You

You're a diligent, commercially minded estimator who takes pride in getting the detail right.

You understand that a strong estimate comes from clear take-offs, well-tested rates and close collaboration across estimating, engineering, planning and operations.

You'll bring:

• Experience preparing cost estimates within civil construction or infrastructure.
• Strong numeracy, attention to detail and sound commercial judgement.
• The ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications and scopes of work, and to build accurate quantities and rates.
• Confidence working with estimating software, cost models and pricing schedules.
• Experience contributing to competitive tenders across utilities, transport, energy or major infrastructure.
• A passion for accuracy, continuous improvement and building trusted relationships with internal teams, subcontractors and suppliers.

Why Join Us?

This is a genuine opportunity to grow your estimating career within a fast-moving, ambitious business.

You'll have real ownership of your work, the support of an experienced precontracts team and the opportunity to build estimating expertise recognised across the industry.

In return, we offer:

• A role with genuine ownership and visibility over the work you price.
• Mentoring and support from an experienced precontracts team.
• Exposure to some of Australia's fastest-growing infrastructure markets.
• Career growth aligned with a rapidly expanding business.
• A collaborative, ambitious and values-driven culture.
• Competitive remuneration aligned with experience and capability.

If you're ready to help build something rather than simply maintain it, we'd love to hear from you.