Estimation Manager

Jemena; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Zinfra in Melbourne is seeking an experienced Estimating Manager to lead the estimating function across the Sales Lifecycle Management process. You will run a hands-on leadership role with eight estimators, aligning teams and delivering robust, commercial estimates for major transmission and Renewable Energy Zone projects.

You will collaborate with operations, commercial and delivery stakeholders to challenge inputs and ensure successful bid outcomes, while fostering a culture of accountability

Qualifications

• Proven leadership of estimating/pre-contract teams in infrastructure, utilities, construction or related sectors.
• Experience leading pre-contracts, project delivery or commercial teams is highly regarded.
• Ability to challenge estimates, inputs and risk allowances to ensure robust commercial outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a team of eight estimators to drive alignment, accountability and high performance.
• Oversee development of accurate, risk-adjusted and competitive estimates across the SLM process.
• Coordinate inputs from engineering, procurement, delivery and commercial teams to support tenders.
• Provide leadership during bid development, pricing decisions, risk assessments and governance reviews.
• Drive adoption of consistent estimating practices, systems and quality controls.

Skills

People leadership

Estimating

Bid preparation

Stakeholder management

Tools

Estimating software

Job description

About Zinfra:

Zinfra is a leading partner in the design, build, operation and maintenance of Australia’s energy and utilities infrastructure. Delivering over $1B portfolio annually, the work we do is essential to bringing energy to our communities safely and reliably, while powering the nation’s energy transition. With a diverse workforce of more than 2,300, we expertly deliver our services across Australia.

About the role:

We’re seeking an experienced Estimating Manager to lead Zinfra’s estimating function across the Sales Lifecycle Management (SLM) process, delivering accurate, risk-adjusted and commercially competitive estimates that support successful bid outcomes and sustainable growth.

Leading a team of eight estimators, this is a hands‑on leadership role focused on building alignment, consistency and accountability across a diverse group of independent professionals. Success will be driven as much by people leadership as technical estimating capability.

Working closely with operational, commercial and delivery stakeholders, you will provide oversight and assurance throughout the bid lifecycle, challenging assumptions, interrogating estimate inputs and driving strong commercial outcomes. A practical understanding of infrastructure, utilities, construction or project delivery environments will be important.

This role will contribute to major transmission and Renewable Energy Zone projects, supporting Australia’s energy transition through a strong pipeline of critical infrastructure work.

Your responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Leading, coaching and developing a team of eight estimators, creating alignment, accountability and a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, consistency and commercial outcomes.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure estimating services are supporting business objectives, client requirements and bid success.
• Overseeing the development of accurate, risk-adjusted and commercially competitive estimates across the Sales Lifecycle Management (SLM) process.
• Challenging and interrogating estimate assumptions, cost inputs, methodologies and risk allowances to ensure robust and defensible commercial outcomes.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary contributions from engineering, construction, procurement, HSE, commercial and delivery teams to support successful tenders and proposals.
• Providing leadership and assurance throughout bid development, supporting pricing decisions, risk assessments and governance reviews.
• Driving the adoption of consistent estimating practices, systems and quality controls across the function.
• Fostering a strong commercial mindset and proactive approach to risk management within the team.
• Ensuring compliance with HSEQ, contractual and governance requirements.
• Identifying and implementing continuous improvement initiatives that are enhancing estimating capability, efficiency and bid performance.
• Supporting Zinfra's growing portfolio of transmission and Renewable Energy Zone projects, enabling critical infrastructure that is advancing Australia's energy transition

About you:

To be selected for interview, your resume should demonstrate success leading estimating, pre-contracts, project delivery or commercial teams within infrastructure, utilities, construction, engineering or related sectors.

You will be a strong people leader with a proven ability to develop capability, align diverse teams and drive accountability, performance and collaboration. While estimating leadership experience is valued, candidates with project management, commercial or delivery backgrounds will also be considered, particularly from power, transmission or major project environments.

You will bring sound commercial acumen, including the ability to challenge estimate assumptions, interrogate project costs and provide confidence in the numbers presented to internal and external stakeholders. Experience supporting tenders, bids and project delivery outcomes will be highly regarded.

The ideal candidate combines practical industry knowledge with strong leadership skills, enabling them to deliver high-quality commercial outcomes through others.

Ensure your resume shares details of:

• Demonstrated leadership experience developing and managing high-performing estimating or pre-contracts teams within the infrastructure, engineering, procurement and construction sectors.
• Strong expertise in estimating, bid preparation, proposal development, project delivery and risk management practices.
• Proven ability to develop accurate, commercially sound and competitive estimates that contribute to successful tender outcomes and profitable project delivery.
• Extensive experience building trusted stakeholder relationships and influencing outcomes across operational, commercial, client and executive groups.
• Strong commercial acumen, including a sound understanding of contract administration, pricing strategies, risk allocation and governance requirements.
• A track record of driving continuous improvement, implementing best-practice systems and processes, and leading cultural or organisational change initiatives.
• Excellent communication, strategic decision-making and problem-solving skills, coupled with a commitment to safety, customer focus and delivering business results.

Why you should work for us

What we do matters. Delivering safe and reliable energy makes a difference to people’s lives across our country every single day. We are proud to keep Australia connected while preparing the nation for a renewable future. Our people are our energy source. We offer meaningful benefits and rewards, including being a certified family-friendly workplace, flexible work arrangements, various leave benefits, career development pathways, a wellbeing program, and more.

We know Zinfra is a great place to belong—but don’t just take our word for it; hear our team members share what working at Zinfra means to them.

We champion and value diversity in life and work experiences, as we know everyone benefits from broader diversity of thoughts in our problem solving, decision making and ability to innovate. We encourage applications from everyone, including First Nations people, veterans, people living with a disability and members of the LGBTIQA+ community. If you need adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Recruitment Process

During our recruitment process, you may be required to undertake pre-employment checks including pre-employment medical, reference checks and a national police check.

Any questions? Reach out!

[e-mail] / 03 9173 8986