Estimator

Position Purpose

The Lead Bulk Excavation - Lead Estimator

The Lead Estimator leads and develops the estimating team, and is accountable for the quality, accuracy and consistency of cost estimates, tender submissions and handover documentation provided to the delivery team.

Reporting Relationships

The Lead Estimator reports directly to the Pre-Construction Manager.

The Estimator(s) report directly to the Lead Estimator, who is accountable for the performance, development and workflow of the estimating team.

Key Responsibilities

Estimating Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the estimating function, setting standards and processes for accurate, competitive and consistent cost estimating across all tenders.
• Partner with the Pre-Construction Manager to develop bid strategy, pricing approach and win themes for key tenders.
• Review and approve cost estimates and tender pricing prior to submission, ensuring commercial and technical
• robustness.
• Lead and mentor the estimating team, building estimating capability and technical knowledge across the function.

Tender & Bid Management

• Manage the end-to-end tender process for allocated opportunities, from expression of interest through to submission.
• Coordinate input from engineering, HSEQ, project delivery and subcontractors to develop comprehensive, compliant tender responses.
• Prepare and present pricing summaries, margin analysis and tender recommendations to the Pre-Construction

Manager and Executive General Manager.

Cost Planning & Pricing

• Develop detailed cost estimates from concept through to detailed design stage, covering labour, plant, materials and subcontract works.
• Benchmark pricing against historical project data, current market rates and productivity data to ensure accuracy.
• Identify value engineering and cost-saving opportunities during the estimating and tender process.

Subcontractor & Supplier Engagement

• Develop and maintain relationships with subcontractors and suppliers to obtain competitive, reliable quotations.
• Oversee the subcontractor/supplier tender and quotation process, including scope definition and quote comparison.

Risk & Value Management

• Identify, assess and price commercial, technical and programme risk within tenders, including appropriate contingencies.
• Contribute to the review of contract terms and conditions during the tender phase, working with the Pre- Construction Manager.

Handover to Delivery Team

• Lead the handover of successful tenders to the project delivery team, ensuring estimate assumptions, pricing and risk allowances are clearly understood.
• Support the Project Manager during early project mobilisation to clarify estimating intent and pricing basis where required.

Key Relationships

Internal

• Pre-Construction Manager and Executive General Manager
• Estimator(s) and the Pre-Construction team
• Project Managers, Project Engineers and the delivery team
• HSEQ Manager and Finance team

External

• Clients, principals and their representatives
• Subcontractors and suppliers
• Design consultants

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline.
• Significant experience (typically 8+ years) in estimating within civil and/or construction contracting, including
• experience leading major tenders.
• Demonstrated experience managing or mentoring an estimating team.
• Strong working knowledge of construction methods, contract types (e.g. AS4000, AS2124, GC21) and pricing structures.
• Proficiency in estimating software and tools (e.g. Cubit, Buildsoft, Excel-based estimating models).
• Current driver's licence and White Card (General Construction Induction).

Skills & Attributes

• Strong numerical and analytical skills, with a high level of accuracy under time pressure.
• Excellent commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to coordinate input from multiple stakeholders under tight deadlines.
• High level of attention to detail and quality in tender documentation and pricing.
• Effective communicator, able to present pricing and recommendations clearly to senior leadership.
• Well organised, resilient and able to manage multiple concurrent tenders.