Estimating Manager

Lead civil estimating across a major Queensland pipeline. Brisbane based permanent role with genuine influence and career progression.

About our client

Our client is an established Queensland contractor with a long standing reputation for delivering complex infrastructure and an enviable level of employee retention.

The business has been built around strong relationships, integrity and looking after its people. Its leadership team is experienced, accessible and committed to developing capability internally, creating an environment where people are trusted to contribute and build meaningful careers.

With significant infrastructure investment ahead, the business is now expanding its civil capability alongside its established structures expertise, creating an important next phase of growth.

The opportunity

This is an opportunity to take a genuine leadership position within the estimating function at a point where the business is expanding the scale and diversity of the work it pursues.

Reporting to the Pre Contracts Manager, you will lead civil estimating capability across a growing pipeline of major road, earthworks and infrastructure opportunities throughout Queensland.

The future pipeline includes significant transport infrastructure pursuits, major civil packages and opportunities delivered both independently and alongside leading joint venture partners. Some of these opportunities extend into the hundreds of millions of dollars, providing exposure to sophisticated tender environments and some of Queensland's most significant future infrastructure programs.

Importantly, you will have the opportunity to influence more than individual tenders. Our client is deliberately strengthening its internal civil capability and wants an experienced estimator who can bring technical credibility, commercial judgement and leadership to the function.

For the right person, there is also a genuine longer term pathway towards broader Pre Contracts leadership as the business continues to grow.

Benefits and working arrangements

This is a permanent Brisbane based position with competitive remuneration aligned to the market and the capability of the successful candidate. A vehicle can also be considered as part of the overall package where appropriate, with relocation support available for the right interstate candidate.

The role is currently based on Brisbane's northside, with plans to relocate the office closer to the city. While this is primarily an office based leadership role, the business takes a practical approach to flexibility around personal commitments.

You will work directly with an experienced Pre Contracts Manager and established leadership team, while having the autonomy to influence how civil estimating capability develops across the business.

A bit about you

You enjoy getting into the detail of an estimate, but you also understand that great estimating leadership is about more than producing a number.

You can lead first principles estimating across roadworks, earthworks, pavements and broader civil infrastructure while bringing structure and clarity to the people around you.

You are comfortable reviewing estimates line by line, challenging assumptions and explaining the commercial logic behind an estimate to senior leaders, clients, independent reviewers and joint venture partners.

You also enjoy developing people. You can bring different personalities together, establish expectations and create an estimating environment where people communicate well, take ownership and deliver consistently.

Desired skills and experience

You will bring strong civil estimating capability gained within a major contractor environment, ideally across roadworks, earthworks, pavements and complex transport infrastructure.

Experience within a Tier One or established Tier Two contractor environment will translate particularly well, as will exposure to major collaborative tenders and joint ventures. Structures or bridge estimating experience would be valuable, although the priority is strong civil capability.

You will be confident working with first principles estimating systems and sophisticated tender review processes. Experience with Expert Estimation would be useful but is not essential where you have worked extensively with comparable estimating platforms.

Above all, you will bring integrity, sound commercial judgement and the interpersonal credibility to represent the business well with clients, partners and the broader market.

For an experienced estimator considering what comes next, this is an opportunity to join a business where your capability will be visible and genuinely valued. You will have the mandate to strengthen an important function, contribute to major infrastructure pursuits and potentially build towards broader Pre Contracts leadership over time.

How to Apply

This appointment is being managed exclusively by Karan and Co. Confidential discussions are welcomed and will be handled through a discreet, values led recruitment process focused on understanding your experience, career aspirations and what would make the right next move.

For any questions about the opportunity, please contact:

Lauren Karan – lauren@karanandco.com.au

Jolein Jeursen – jolein@karanandco.com.au