Principal Estimator

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Downer is seeking an experienced Principal Estimator to provide national estimating leadership across our Transport and Infrastructure business, driving governance, consistency and capability while supporting major projects nationwide. You will work with operations, commercial, procurement and business development to set the national framework, oversee tender controls, mentor estimators and lead high value bids. The ideal candidate has extensive senior estimating experience in infrastructure or civil contracting, strong first-principles costing, risk and pricing governance, and proven stakeholder influence. Flexible location in Melbourne or other capitals; onsite. Apply via the Downer careers site; no agencies or email applications. Tailor your CV with governance, bid leadership and concrete examples of successful tenders.

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Downer is seeking an experienced Principal Estimator to provide national estimating leadership across our Transport & Infrastructure business. This pivotal role is responsible for leading estimating governance, driving consistency and capability across the estimating function, and supporting the successful pursuit of major and strategically significant projects across Australia.

Working closely with operational, commercial, procurement and business development leaders, you will provide functional leadership to estimating teams nationally, champion best-practice estimating methodologies and contribute to the sustainable growth and long-term success of the business.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of a national estimating framework that promotes consistency, quality and commercial discipline. 
• Drive estimating governance through robust review processes, pricing methodologies, approvals and tender controls. 
• Provide functional leadership, mentoring and coaching to estimators nationally, fostering capability development and succession planning. 
• Support bid teams with tender planning, pricing strategies, methodology development and risk assessments. 
• Provide estimating leadership on major, high-value and strategically significant tenders. 
• Monitor market conditions, supply chain trends, productivity benchmarks and regional cost drivers to strengthen tender competitiveness. 
• Facilitate effective tender handovers and contribute to lessons learned reviews to improve future project outcomes. 
• Build strong relationships with clients, suppliers, subcontractors, consultants and industry stakeholders. 

 

ABOUT YOU

• Tertiary qualifications in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Construction Management, Commerce or a related discipline are highly desirable.
• Significant experience within infrastructure, civil construction or related contracting environments. 
• Extensive experience in senior estimating, pre-contracts, bid leadership or commercial tendering roles. 
• The ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders across multiple functions and regions. 
• Proven success leading complex, major or strategically significant tender submissions.
• Strong leadership capability, with experience mentoring and developing estimators and tendering teams. 
• Strong expertise in first-principles estimating, cost planning, productivity analysis, benchmarking and pricing governance. 
• Sound commercial and contractual knowledge, including risk management, procurement strategy and margin protection. 
• A proactive, detail-oriented and commercially focused approach with the ability to perform under pressure.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building and stakeholder management skills. 

 

Downer is a company that believes people are our greatest asset. We take pride in providing career opportunities, work-life balance, and above benchmark services. We also offer a range of benefits including:

• Flexible location – can be based out of most capital Australian cities.
• Be part of a culture that values safety, integrity and excellence in everything we do.
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the future success of the business.
• Access to Perks@Downer, which offers discounts and savings on various products, including retail items, travel deals and entertainment options.

To join the Downer team please “apply now”. We respectfully request no recruitment agency approaches. Please be advised that email applications will not be accepted. 

Downer Group is an employer that acknowledges and embraces the importance of our people's diverse experiences, talents, and cultures. As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from everyone.

At Downer we plan, create and sustain. Downer is the leading provider of integrated services in Australia and New Zealand. Through trusted relationships and world leading insight we work closely with our customers to design, build and sustain assets, infrastructure, and facilities.