Senior Estimator

Buildability Group; Sydney; On-site; AUD 30,000,000 - 50,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Buildability Group is seeking a Senior Estimator to lead pre-construction estimating for complex fitout and refurbishment projects across Australia.

You will develop accurate cost plans, manage tenders end-to-end and provide commercial insight to ensure successful project delivery in live environments. Collaboration with design and delivery teams is essential, with mentoring for junior estimators.

Qualifications

• Experience as Estimator or Senior Estimator in commercial construction.
• Proven ability to independently manage tenders from start to finish.
• Experience with fitout, refurbishment or complex building projects.
• Experience on project values of $30–$50m.
• Strong first-principles estimating, measurement and cost planning.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work in live environments with attention to detail.
• Tertiary qualifications in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Preparing detailed estimates, cost plans and budgets from early-stage information through tender submission.
• Managing multiple tenders from initial enquiry to final submission.
• Reviewing tender docs and performing quantity take-offs and measurement.
• Developing scopes of work and issuing tender packages to subs.
• Analysing subcontractor and supplier quotations.
• Preparing preliminaries estimates and assessing risks, allowances and opportunities.
• Compiling tender summaries with detailed supplier analysis.
• Collaborating with pre-construction and design teams on value engineering.
• Arranging site inspections with project teams, subcontractors and suppliers.
• Participating in client and consultant negotiations following tender submission and prior to award.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, consultants and key stakeholders.
• Maintaining current pricing, market and technical information to support accurate tendering.
• Monitoring market conditions, subcontractor availability, pricing and escalation trends.
• Preparing tender handover documentation and supporting transition to project delivery.
• Mentoring junior estimators and developing team members.

Job description

Senior Estimator – Specialist Fitout & Refurbishment

We are working with a highly regarded, privately owned construction business that specialises in complex fitout, refurbishment and interiors projects across Australia.

Backed by the strength and financial stability of a larger established construction group, the business has built an excellent reputation for delivering technically challenging projects in live, operational and highly sensitive environments.

Projects span Tertiary Education, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Government & High Security, alongside a broader portfolio of complex fitout and refurbishment projects.

With a strong pipeline of work and continued growth, they are now looking to appoint an experienced Senior Estimator to join their team.

What's on Offer

• Join a well-established and highly respected construction business
• Work across a diverse portfolio of technically complex projects
• Strong pipeline of work across multiple sectors
• Opportunity to take ownership of tenders from early-stage pricing through to submission
• Work closely with senior leadership, clients, consultants and project teams
• Be part of a collaborative, high-performing pre-construction team
• Opportunity to contribute to value-add and alternative project strategies
• Long-term career development and progression opportunities

The Role

As a Senior Estimator, you will play a key role in the pre-construction and tendering function, managing the estimating, cost planning and tendering process across a range of complex fitout and refurbishment projects.

You will be responsible for developing accurate and competitive estimates, coordinating the tender process, assessing commercial risks and opportunities, and providing clear commercial insight to ensure projects are positioned for successful delivery.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Preparing detailed estimates, cost plans and budgets from early-stage project information through to tender submission
• Managing multiple tenders from initial enquiry through to final submission
• Reviewing tender documentation and undertaking detailed quantity take-offs and measurement
• Developing scopes of work and issuing tender packages to subcontractors and suppliers
• Receiving, reviewing, recording and analysing subcontractor and supplier quotations
• Preparing detailed preliminaries estimates and assessing project-specific risks, allowances and opportunities
• Compiling comprehensive tender summaries, including detailed subcontractor and supplier quotation analysis
• Working closely with the pre-construction and design teams to identify value engineering, alternative methodologies and value-add opportunities
• Arranging and participating in site inspections with project teams, subcontractors and suppliers
• Participating in client and consultant negotiations following tender submission and prior to project award
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with subcontractors, suppliers, consultants and key project stakeholders
• Maintaining current pricing, market and technical information to support accurate and competitive tendering
• Monitoring market conditions, subcontractor availability, pricing and escalation trends
• Preparing effective tender handover documentation and participating in the transition from pre-construction into project delivery
• Supporting and mentoring junior estimators and developing team members

Many projects are delivered within existing, live environments, creating a genuinely interesting and technically challenging estimating environment where careful planning, commercial judgement and attention to detail are critical.

About You

We are looking for an experienced Estimator who enjoys working on complex projects and wants to be part of a business where quality, collaboration and technical excellence are highly valued.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience as an Estimator or Senior Estimator within commercial construction
• Strong experience across fitout, refurbishment or complex building projects
• Proven ability to independently manage tenders from start to finish
• Previous experience working on project values of $30–$50m
• Strong understanding of first-principles estimating, measurement, cost planning and tendering
• Strong commercial and analytical skills, with the ability to identify project risks and opportunities
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• High attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing deadlines
• The ability to work collaboratively with pre-construction, design and delivery teams
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline

Most importantly, you will be someone who takes pride in the quality of your work, enjoys working collaboratively and wants to contribute to a growing and highly regarded construction business.