Senior Estimator Role - Lead Tenders & Mentor Teams AU in Columbus
Career & Market Insight
Senior-level role with real influence — this is not a pure production estimating seat. The mentoring mandate, escalation responsibilities, and methodology ownership signal a lead estimator position, likely one step below Estimating Manager. For professionals targeting management, this is a strong stepping stone.
Market compensation context: Senior commercial estimators in Canberra typically earn AUD $130,000–$175,000 depending on company size and tender volume. Complex Co. has not disclosed a salary band, which can be a yellow flag — it is worth clarifying range early in the process.
Skills you will develop or deepen:
- Advanced use of Benchmark and Bluebeam Revu — two in-demand construction tech platforms in Australia
- Tender strategy and risk identification on complex commercial builds
- Team leadership and mentoring — transferable to Head of Estimating or Commercial Manager roles
- Subcontractor and supplier relationship management
Green flags: 60+ years of company history signals stability; a growing commercial pipeline suggests job security and volume of interesting work. The mentoring component adds career capital beyond pure estimating.
Red flags to probe at interview: No salary range listed; no mention of flexible or hybrid work; high tender volume can mean long hours — ask about tender hit rates, team size, and overtime expectations before accepting.
For more than 60 years, Complex Co. has been known for delivering award-winning construction projects across the built environment. Our skillful execution of quality projects is an expression of our personal and professional commitment to connecting and enhancing communities.
As our commercial building pipeline continues to grow, we are looking for an experienced Commercial Building Estimator to play a key role in shaping successful tenders, strengthening estimating capability, and supporting the continued expansion of our commercial building arm.
This role will be responsible for delivering accurate, competitive, and well-documented cost estimates for commercial building & construction projects, while also providing day-to-day technical advice and mentoring to the estimating team.
This is a hands-on, influential role for someone who brings strong technical estimating expertise, sound commercial judgement, and the confidence to lead pricing activity across commercial building and construction opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare accurate and competitive cost estimates, budgets, and scopes of work for commercial building and construction tenders
- Review tender documentation (drawings, specifications, RFTs, contracts) to confirm scope, risks, and opportunities
- Conduct and/or coordinate site inspections to assess conditions and identify construction risks
- Perform and review quantity take-offs using Benchmark, Revu, and Excel
- Prepare detailed cost build-ups, subcontractor comparisons, and pricing reconciliations
- Analyse historical project data to support pricing accuracy and continuous improvement
- Provide technical guidance and mentoring to Estimators
- Act as first point of escalation for estimating queries and technical issues
- Promote consistent estimating methodologies, tools, and documentation standards
- Maintain effective working relationships with key subcontractors and suppliers
About You
- Minimum 8+ years' experience in commercial building and construction estimating
- Demonstrated experience preparing and leading complex commercial building tenders
- Strong understanding of construction methodologies, contract review and risk identification, cost planning and pricing strategy
- Proven ability to mentor and support junior and mid-level estimators
- High-level competency in Benchmark, Bluebeam Revu, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Project (Intermediate level)
- Ability to manage multiple tenders and competing deadlines
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Well-developed interpersonal, negotiation, and organisational skills
If this sounds like the role for you, please apply or reach out to Ebony Ison at [email protected]
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