Senior Estimator

CANDIDATE MANAGER; Wellington; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The client, a well-established New Zealand construction and modular manufacturing group, is seeking a Senior QS Estimator in Wellington. You will lead tenders from first principles through to submission, taking ownership of strategy, procurement and value engineering rather than simply producing numbers.

You will mentor junior staff, collaborate with Construction, Design, Sales and the Commercial Manager, and drive systems, benchmarking and commercial governance.

Qualifications

• 8+ years' quantity surveying or estimating experience in the NZ construction industry.
• Proven ability to lead estimates from first principles through to final submission.
• Strong grasp of NZ construction methods, subcontract markets and Building Code requirements.
• Advanced take-off, cost planning, procurement and commercial risk-management skills.
• A NZ Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) or equivalent recognised qualification.
• A full NZ driver licence.
• Confidence presenting commercial recommendations to senior stakeholders and clients.

Responsibilities

• Leading detailed estimates, tender submissions and negotiated proposals end to end.
• Reviewing drawings, specifications and contract conditions to nail down scope, methodology and pricing risk.
• Running subcontractor and supplier quotation processes, and recommending best-value compliant offers.
• Developing value-engineering and alternative-construction proposals that genuinely improve buildability and margin.
• Leading tender risk reviews and building airtight, well-documented submissions.
• Delivering clean, structured handovers to the delivery team once work is secured.
• Mentoring and reviewing the work of junior estimating team members.
• Reporting to management on tender status, pricing risk and market conditions.

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

CANDIDATE MANAGER – Wellington, North Island

Do you love the thrill of winning a tender? Do you get satisfaction from turning a stack of drawings into a bulletproof, competitive price? If you're a Senior QS or Estimator who wants real ownership over the pre-construction process, not just a seat at the table, this is your next move.

Our client is a well-established New Zealand construction and modular manufacturing group with a genuinely diverse pipeline spanning commercial builds and off-site modular projects. They're growing, they're investing in their commercial team, and they need a Senior QS Estimator who can lead from the front.

Why this role stands out

• Real influence, not just number-crunching - you'll lead tenders from first principles through to submission and handover, shaping strategy, procurement and value engineering, not just filling in a spreadsheet
• Variety that keeps things interesting - work spans both traditional commercial construction and modular/off-site manufacturing, so no two tenders look the same
• A seat at the leadership table - you'll mentor and guide Intermediate and Junior QS/estimators, with a clear path to growing your own team and influence
• Genuine cross-functional exposure - direct collaboration with Construction, Design, Sales, Modular and the Commercial Manager, plus regular contact with clients, consultants and senior stakeholders
• A business that backs its estimating function - you'll have real say in shaping systems, benchmarking data and commercial governance, not just following someone else's process

What you’ll be doing

• Leading detailed estimates, tender submissions and negotiated proposals end to end
• Reviewing drawings, specifications and contract conditions to nail down scope, methodology and pricing risk
• Running subcontractor and supplier quotation processes, and recommending best-value compliant offers
• Developing value-engineering and alternative-construction proposals that genuinely improve buildability and margin
• Leading tender risk reviews and building airtight, well-documented submissions
• Delivering clean, structured handovers to the delivery team once work is secured
• Mentoring and reviewing the work of junior estimating team members
• Reporting to management on tender status, pricing risk and market conditions

What you’ll bring

• 8+ years' quantity surveying or estimating experience in the NZ construction industry, including responsibility for significant tenders
• Proven ability to lead estimates from first principles through to final submission
• Strong grasp of NZ construction methods, subcontract markets and Building Code requirements
• Advanced take-off, cost planning, procurement and commercial risk-management skills
• A NZ Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) or equivalent recognised qualification
• A full NZ driver licence
• Confidence presenting commercial recommendations to senior stakeholders and clients

Right to work

To be considered for this role, applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or hold a valid New Zealand work visa that entitles them to work in this position, in accordance with New Zealand immigration requirements.