Estimator

About the role

This position is for an experienced Estimator who can independently run commercial and government tenders from the first document review through to final submission. The work is centered on projects in the commercial, government and institutional construction space, generally valued from $1 million to $5 million, with some reaching around $12 million. The ideal person will be precise, well organised, commercially minded and able to manage more detailed, complex smaller projects as well as larger packages when required.

You will take full ownership of the tender lifecycle, including reviewing drawings and specifications, measuring quantities, building trade packages, managing quotations, comparing pricing, and making clear recommendations on the most suitable trade cost to carry. This is a hands-on, independent role rather than a junior support position, so the right candidate must be comfortable controlling multiple moving parts, spotting risks early, and maintaining strong document control throughout the process.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee commercial, government and institutional tenders from first review through to submission.
• Examine tender packages, drawings, specifications, schedules and addenda in detail.
• Keep document control accurate and disciplined across every stage of the tender.
• Carry out measurements and prepare reliable bills of quantities.
• Separate project scope into trade packages for subcontractor pricing.
• Distribute tender packages to subcontractors and suppliers.
• Track subcontractor responses and ensure the market is properly covered for each package.
• Assess and compare subcontractor pricing using comparison sheets.
• Spot exclusions, qualifications, gaps, risks and inconsistencies in pricing.
• Advise on the most appropriate trade pricing option for each package.
• Collaborate with directors, project managers and delivery teams on buildability, methodology, programme, risk and margin.
• Support tender clarifications, RFIs and post-tender negotiation discussions.
• Produce tender submission documents accurately and within deadlines.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with subcontractors, suppliers and consultants.
• Keep estimating files, pricing information and tender records current and well organised.

Experience required

• At least 3 to 5+ years of estimating experience in commercial construction.
• Demonstrated ability to run tenders independently, not only assist with take-offs.
• Background pricing commercial, government, education, institutional, refurbishment, fit-out or public-sector projects.
• Solid knowledge of tender documents, subcontractor trade packaging and BOQ preparation.
• Experience handling projects usually worth between $1 million and $5 million, with beneficial exposure to projects up to about $12 million.
• Capability to manage the end-to-end tender process, including measurement, trade letting, quotation follow-up, comparison sheets and pricing recommendations.
• Good grasp of subcontractor market pricing and trade risk.
• Comfort reading architectural, structural, services and consultant drawings.
• Experience in a head contractor or commercial builder environment is strongly preferred.

Software and technical skills

• Cubit Estimating experience is highly desirable.
• Cubit Select experience is highly desirable.
• Advanced Excel ability, particularly for comparison sheets, pricing summaries and tender analysis.
• Capability to manage tender documents and keep records accurate.
• Familiarity with Bluebeam, CostX or similar estimating tools will also be valued.

Personal attributes

• Independent and accountable in day-to-day work.
• Highly detail-oriented without losing sight of the bigger picture.
• Commercially aware and confident in recommending pricing decisions.
• Structured, organised and steady under tender deadlines.
• Clear communicator with subcontractors, suppliers and internal teams.
• Practical, direct and able to identify risks early.
• Comfortable handling several tenders or packages at the same time.
• Dependable, disciplined and able to work with minimal supervision.

Ideal background

The best-fit candidates are likely to come from commercial builders, public-sector or government construction contractors, refurbishment and fit-out businesses, education or health project builders, council or institutional contractors, or head contractors delivering work in the $1 million to $12 million range.

Candidates whose experience is limited to single trade packages, residential volume housing, frame and truss, insurance repairs, or supplier-side estimating will generally be a weaker match unless they have already moved into broader commercial head-contractor estimating.

Candidate screening priorities

The main focus is not simply whether a person can estimate, but whether they can manage the full tender process and identify which price should be relied upon.

A strong candidate should be able to explain how they review tender documentation, divide scope into trade packages, complete measurements and BOQs, chase subcontractor coverage, compare quotations, identify exclusions and gaps, determine which trade price to include, and stay on top of deadlines and document control.

Diversity and application information

ManpowerGroup promotes diversity in recruitment and welcomes applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds, including candidates with disability. Applicants may indicate their preferred communication method in their resume and should mention any reasonable adjustments needed if contacted for interview.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Submitting an application means personal information will be collected in accordance with the privacy policy. For further details, the privacy policy is available on the company website.

Licensing information

State licensing details provided with this role include QLD licensee/s Manpower Services (Australia) Pty Ltd, LHL-02026-D5L4Q; QLD licensee/s Experis Pty Ltd, LHL-02014-Y5F6D; and SA licensee/s Manpower Services (Australia) Pty Ltd, LHS 288856.