Senior Estimator

Randstad; City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

Office-based role

Flexible work arrangements

Career growth

Job summary

Randstad client, a premier Tier 2 commercial builder, seeks a Senior Construction Estimator to join their head office in Central Brisbane. You will lead end-to-end tendering for diverse non-residential projects from $15M to $100M+, perform first-principles estimating, develop BOQs and trade packages, and drive value engineering with the estimating manager and commercial director.

Requirements include a Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or Civil Engineering (or equivalent),

Qualifications

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a trade background with equivalent estimating qualifications.
• 7–10+ years local estimating experience with a commercial head contractor in Australia.
• Experience pricing projects across industrial, education, or retail sectors.
• Familiarity with D&C, Managing Contractor, and hard-dollar procurement methods.
• Expert knowledge of CostX, Cubit/Buildsoft, Candy, or Expert Estimation and MS Excel.

Responsibilities

• End-to-End Tendering: lead the complete tender process from EOI to bid submission and handover.
• First-principles estimating: build detailed cost estimates across asset classes.
• Scope & trade packages: formulate trade scopes, BOQs, break down packages, manage subcontractor invitations.
• Market engagement: leverage local subcontractors to secure competitive pricing.
• VE & risk: identify constructability issues, drive cost-saving initiatives, mitigate risk.
• Subcontractor evaluation: conduct trade comparisons, negotiations and coverage analysis.
• Handover & strategy: lead handover meetings and contribute to post-tender reviews.

Skills

First-principles estimating

Tender management

Market engagement

Subcontractor evaluation

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or equivalent estimating qualifications

Tools

CostX

Cubit / Buildsoft

Candy

Expert Estimation

MS Excel

Job description

Senior Construction Estimator | Tier 2 Commercial, Industrial & Institutiona

Position: Senior Construction Estimator

Sector: Commercial, Industrial, Education & Retail

Location: Central Brisbane

Type: Full-Time, Permanent

About the Opportunity

A premier Tier 2 commercial builder with a reputation for quality delivery and commercial stability is seeking a Senior Construction Estimator to join their head office team.

Unlike builders locked into a single niche, this mid-tier leader boasts a genuinely diverse portfolio. Operating across major industrial distribution centres, primary and secondary schools, university campus infrastructure, and shopping centre redevelopments, they offer a dynamic pipeline of work ranging from $15M to $100M+ in project value.

This is a senior position working closely with the Estimating Manager, Commercial Director, and Business Development team. You will lead high-value tenders across hard dollar, Design & Construct (D&C), and Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) procurement models.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-End Tendering: Lead the complete tender process from initial expression of interest (EOI) and site visits through to bid submission and handover.
• First-Principles Estimating: Build detailed, accurate cost estimates from first principles across diverse asset classes (industrial slabs/portal frames, complex institutional services, retail staging).
• Scope & Trade Packages: Formulate trade scopes, generate Bill of Quantities (BOQ), break down packages, and manage the subcontractor tender invitation process.
• Market Engagement: Leverage and expand an established network of local subcontractors and suppliers to secure competitive, complete pricing.
• Value Engineering & Risk Mitigation: Identify constructability issues, drive Value Engineering (VE) initiatives to offer clients cost savings, and mitigate commercial risk during the bid phase.
• Subcontractor Evaluation: Conduct thorough trade comparisons, negotiations, and scope gap analysis to ensure seamless package coverage.
• Handover & Strategy: Lead handover meetings to incoming site teams and contribute to post-tender reviews and strategic win plans.

About You

We are seeking an astute commercial professional with a track record of winning and profitably pricing diverse non-residential projects.

• Qualifications: Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a trade background with equivalent estimating qualifications.
• Experience: Minimum 7 to 10+ years of local estimating experience with a commercial head contractor in Australia.
• Sector Portfolio: Proven history pricing projects across at least two of the key sectors: Industrial, Education (DET/BGA/Tertiary), or Retail/Shopping Centres.
• Contract Exposure: Strong familiarity with D&C, Managing Contractor, and Hard Dollar procurement methods.
• Software Proficiency: Expert knowledge of industry-standard estimating platforms (e.g., CostX, Cubit / Buildsoft, Candy, or Expert Estimation) and MS Excel.
• Commercial Acumen: Exceptional understanding of local market rates, escalation trends, sub-contractor capacity, and buildability challenges.

What's on Offer

• Diverse & Secure Pipeline: Immunity from single-sector downturns through a balanced mix of government, institutional, industrial, and retail projects.
• Competitive Remuneration: Highly lucrative package reflective of your experience level
• Work-Life Balance & Culture: Enjoy a stable, office-based role with realistic tender deadlines and flexible work arrangements
• Career Growth: Direct line of sight to an Estimating Manager / Bid Manager pathway within a thriving, well-capitalized business.
• High Win-Rate Team: Join an experienced, well-resourced bid team supported by dedicated design managers and cadet estimators.

At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.