Estimator | Melbourne | Full Time
Do you love the challenge of turning a set of drawings into a number that actually stands up?
Do you get satisfaction from turning a stack of drawings into a number that's both accurate and competitive? Are you the kind of person who can hold a technical conversation and a commercial one in the same breath?
If that sounds like you, Amicus could be your next great move.
About Amicus
Amicus is an award-winning employer with offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Established in 2005, we began with a focus on design and fitout for the Office, Laboratory, Education and Hospitality sectors. Today, our offering spans workplace design and construction, alongside expertise in strategy, culture, leadership, technology and finance.
We look for people who combine strong technical capability with curiosity, creativity and a desire to keep improving, both individually and collectively.
About the Role:
Our Estimators are the ones who make sure every project starts on solid financial footing. You'll take construction drawings and specifications and translate them into detailed, competitive cost estimates - covering labour, materials, equipment, and everything in between. It's detail-driven work with real weight behind it: get the numbers right, and you set a project up to succeed from day one.
Reporting to the National Estimating Manager and joining our Estimating team in Melbourne, you'll bring together quantity takeoffs, market knowledge, and a sharp eye for risk to build estimates that are both realistic and commercially sound. You'll work closely with our sales team, project managers, designers, and subcontractors - so as much as this is a numbers role, it's also a relationships one.
What you'll be doing:
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Preparing detailed cost estimates covering labour, materials, and equipment
- Analysing and interpreting construction drawings and specifications for accurate budgeting
- Performing detailed quantity takeoffs using estimating software such as CostX
- Building in contingencies to account for risks like cost overruns and supply chain issues
- Monitoring market trends, including inflation and material costs, to keep estimates competitive
- Ensuring estimates comply with the National Construction Code (NCC), Australian Standards, and local council requirements
- Incorporating sustainable materials and practices to meet standards like Green Star and NABERS
- Building and maintaining relationships with subcontractors and suppliers to secure competitive pricing
- Negotiating favourable terms without compromising on quality
- Aligning estimates with realistic project timelines, particularly for fitout delivery and installation
- Collaborating with sales, project managers, designers, and contractors to integrate estimates into the bigger picture
- Clearly communicating cost breakdowns and estimate rationale to clients and stakeholders
What We're Looking For
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A Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or Civil Engineering
- Minimum 5 years' experience in a similar estimating role
- Strong working knowledge of estimating software (CostX or similar)
- Solid understanding of building codes and compliance (NCC, BCA)
- Confident numerical, financial, and commercial acumen
- Strong stakeholder communication and negotiation skills
- A detail-oriented approach with the ability to prevent errors under time pressure
- The agility to adapt when project scope, client demands, or the market shifts
What might not work for you:
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Running to deadlines. In this role, you'll typically be turning around a $1M/1000sqm project estimate in around 3 days, while juggling 2-3 cost plans a week
- It's a high-accountability role: your numbers directly shape whether a project is financially viable, so there's limited room for error
- You'll be balancing several stakeholders at once - sales, project managers, designers, and subcontractors, which means strong communication has to be a given, not a nice-to-have
- If you prefer working at a slower, more deliberate pace, the rolling nature of the cost plan load may not suit you
What You'll Get
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Hybrid working arrangements and a genuinely flexible, high-trust environment
- An activity-based workspace designed around the way people actually work
- Tailored leadership development and training opportunities
- A team culture built on our TAP values - Teamwork, Accountability and Positivity - that shows up in how we support each other and show up for clients
Ready to Apply?
Submit your CV via the link below, we'd love to hear from you.
Amicus is an award-winning employer with offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Established in 2005, our initial focus was on design and fitout for the Office, Laboratory, Education and Hospitality sectors. Today our service offering covers a full suite of workplace design and construction solutions, alongside expertise in workplace strategy, culture, leadership, technology and finance. At Amicus we look for individuals with the right skills and experience who are a great cultural fit, have a mindset oriented to learning and growth, and are eager to contribute. Your well-being is a top priority. We foster a positive and supportive company culture that champions a healthy work-life balance. Our activity-based workspace and hybrid work arrangements empower you to find a balance that works for you. We offer flexibility in every way - we're high trust, flexible, and you can work from anywhere. We are passionate about supporting the growth and development of our people. We believe that investing in our employees is the key to achieving success, both individually and collectively. We offer leadership development and other training programs, ensuring you have the tools and knowledge to excel in your career with us.
