ABOUT THE COMPANYOur client is a commercial builder operating across Sydney and Newcastle, NSW. They tender and deliver a wide range of commercial projects including fit-out, education, and childcare facilities. The estimating team runs a structured, deadline-driven tendering operation, handling everything from initial quantities through to full tender submission. They already have one offshore team member in the Philippines and are committed to building out that capacity.ABOUT THE ROLEThis is a quantity surveying role sitting within the estimating team, reporting to the Estimating Manager. The primary need is someone who can own the takeoff and measurement work across commercial projects, freeing the senior estimators to focus on pricing and analysis. If you can also rate and price, that's a genuine bonus, but QS capability is what this hire is built around.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESPerform detailed quantity takeoffs across all non-services trades (structure, concrete, steel, reinforcement, fit-out, finishes, etc.) from architectural and structural drawingsProduce accurate bills of quantities for commercial construction projects within tight tender timeframes, typically 4 to 5 weeksWork through full drawing sets independently, identifying scope inclusions, gaps, and ambiguitiesInput quantities into Cubit or Costx and maintain structured, reviewable workbooksLiaise with the Estimating Manager and senior estimators to clarify scope and flag potential risks or documentation issuesSupport multiple concurrent tenders, managing your own workload against submission deadlinesOver time, build familiarity with our standard rates and pricing methodology to progress toward full estimation capabilityESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCEDemonstrated experience performing quantity takeoffs on commercial construction projectsAbility to read and interpret architectural and structural drawings independentlyExperience quantifying structural trades (concrete, steel, reinforcement, framing, cladding, finishes)Strong attention to detail with the ability to self-check work before handoverClear written and verbal communication in EnglishExperience working to fixed deadlines in a tendering environmentNICE-TO-HAVE SKILLSFull end-to-end estimating capability (takeoff through to rated tender price)Experience using other takeoff or estimating software (e.g., Bluebeam, PlanSwift, Buildsoft, etc.) with willingness to learn new systemsExperience with estimating tools such as Cubit or CostXFamiliarity with Australian, New Zealand, or UK construction standards and specificationsExperience working with or within a commercial head contractor, not just subcontractor or fit-out rolesUnderstanding of construction methodology and its impact on costEXPERIENCE REQUIREDMinimum 4 to 5 years in a QS or estimating role within commercial construction. Fit-out-only experience will be considered if the candidate can also demonstrate structural takeoff competency. Australian construction experience is preferred; candidates with NZ or UK experience will be seriously considered. Candidates whose experience is limited to Indian construction standards are unlikely to be shortlisted without strong compensating factors.TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGYCubit (primary takeoff tool)Costx (being adopted; experience here is acceptable in lieu of Cubit)Microsoft Office Suite (intermediate to advanced)Google Workspace (Sheets and Drive used internally)
