Senior Estimator

Davies Stewart; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Davies Stewart in Adelaide, SA, is seeking a Senior Civil Estimator to lead end-to-end multi-million dollar tenders across earthworks, roads, drainage and utilities. You will develop first-principles pricing, quantify risks, and coordinate with legal and commercial teams to secure winning margins.

Reporting to the Estimating Manager, you will mentor cadet estimators, drive digital estimating via BIM and tools such as Candy or B2W, and collaborate with operations and planning to align pricing

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–10 years’ estimating experience in Australian civil construction.
• Proven lead estimator on large civil tenders including earthworks and utilities.
• Tertiary degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or QS, with advanced Excel.

Responsibilities

• Direct end-to-end tendering from bid kickoff to submission.
• Develop first-principles pricing for labour, plant, materials and preliminaries.
• Identify risks, quantify contingencies, and negotiate terms with suppliers.
• Mentor Estimators and Cadet Estimators; lead price strategy reviews.

Skills

Estimating

Pricing

Commercial judgement

Leadership

Excel

Education

Bachelor's in Civil Engineering

Tools

Expert Estimation

Candy

B2W

BIM

Job description

• Work on some complex infrastructure portfolio's
• Join an excellent team environment

Complex infrastructure delivery begins with precision planning, commercial foresight, and first-principles pricing. Secure a high-impact leadership position with an industry-leading tier-one contractor, steering major civil tenders.

The Opportunity

Davies Stewart is partnering with a key client, an undisputed leader in the Australian construction, engineering, and infrastructure delivery market, renowned for handling large-scale, complex civil engineering challenges.

Operating out of Adelaide, South Australia, the Civil & Infrastructure precontracts division is expanding its capacity to meet a robust pipeline of upcoming state and national projects.

As a Senior Civil Estimator, you will step into a pivotal technical leadership role where you will directly influence the commercial trajectory and win-rates of the business. This position is crafted for an estimating professional who wants to lead end-to-end multi-million dollar tenders, mentor emerging talent, and drive cutting-edge digital estimating methodologies.

• High-Impact Portfolio: Take charge as lead estimator on substantial, high-visibility civil and infrastructure tenders ranging from $5 million to $100 million.
• Technological Innovation: Leverage advanced digital estimating platforms, BIM models, and modern engineering outputs to optimize quantity surveying and risk evaluation.
• Mentorship & Legacy: Shape the future of the profession by providing technical guidance, coaching, and quality reviews to Estimators and Cadet Estimators.
• Executive Visibility: Partner directly with General Managers, Precontracts leadership, and Executive teams during critical tender reviews and commercial strategy sessions.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Estimating Manager, you will own the end-to-end preparation of competitive, risk-adjusted tenders across earthworks, roads, drainage, utilities, and associated civil scopes.

• Direct the complete estimating lifecycle from bid kick-off through to submission, developing accurate first-principles pricing structures covering labour, plant, materials, and preliminaries.
• Identify, quantify, and price complex delivery risks, working alongside legal and commercial teams to review contract conditions and establish robust contingency margins.
• Coordinate request-for-quote (RFQ) processes, normalise subcontractor submissions, and negotiate commercial terms with key suppliers and trade partners.
• Collaborate closely with operations, engineering, and planning teams to ensure pricing aligns seamlessly with practical site sequences, plant productivity, and logistic strategies.
• Utilise advanced estimating software and digital take-off tools, contributing to the ongoing refinement of cost databases, unit rate libraries, and productivity benchmarks.
• Prepare comprehensive tender handover packs and lead alignment meetings with project delivery teams to ensure successful site mobilisation.

About You

You are a seasoned estimating specialist who pairs strong first-principles pricing capability with exceptional commercial judgement and a collaborative leadership style.

• A minimum of 7 to 10 years of dedicated estimating experience within the Australian civil construction and infrastructure sector.
• A proven track record acting as lead estimator on medium to large civil tenders covering bulk earthworks, pavements, utilities, and structural civil scopes.
• A tertiary qualification in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or Quantity Surveying is preferred, complemented by advanced Microsoft Excel capability and software proficiency (e.g., Expert Estimation, Candy, B2W).
• A solid understanding of common Australian construction contracting frameworks (e.g., AS 2124, AS 4000, D&C forms).
• A visible commitment to safety leadership, professional integrity, and high-performance execution.
• A current driver's licence, full work rights in Australia, and the readiness to undertake necessary site inspections.