Pre Constrcution Manager in Preston, Lancashire

Pre-Construction Manager - Main Contractor
Location: Preston, Lancashire (Head Office)
Salary/Package: £65,000 - £85,000 + Package
Job Type: Permanent

About the Company
Our client is one of the North West's most established main contractors. It is a family-founded business with more than 100 years' history and a reputation built on quality, reliability and long-term client relationships.

Operating from a head office in Preston, with regional offices in Liverpool and Manchester, the business delivers construction, maintenance, joinery manufacturing and electrical services. This lets it offer clients a joined-up service across the whole life of their buildings.

Its portfolio covers education, health, commercial, industrial, retail, residential, and sports and leisure. Recent projects include university facilities, hospital theatres and entrances, large distribution centres, cathedral refurbishment and student accommodation.

With a large directly employed workforce, a long-standing health and safety accreditation and a strong focus on training, the business continues to grow its negotiated, framework and two-stage workload.

As part of this growth, they are looking to appoint a Pre-Construction Manager to lead the pre-construction process from their Preston head office.

The Role
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Pre-Construction Manager to lead a varied portfolio of schemes from first client engagement through to contract award.

The successful candidate will make sure every project is properly developed, coordinated, priced and de-risked before it reaches site. You will manage the design, commercial and programme process across RIBA Stages 0-4, with a particular focus on two-stage Design & Build.

This is a senior, client-facing position with real influence. You will lead the pre-construction team and work closely with clients, consultants, the supply chain, and the estimating, planning, commercial and operations teams. You will report directly to the Directors.

The role would suit an established Pre-Construction Manager, or an experienced Senior Design Manager, Pre-Construction Coordinator or Senior Estimator, from a main contractor background who is ready for the next step.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Construction Leadership

• Leading the pre-construction process on two-stage Design & Build, negotiated and framework schemes.
• Managing projects through RIBA Stages 0-4 to a fully coordinated, buildable and priced solution.
• Setting the pre-construction strategy, programme and deliverables for each scheme.
• Leading, mentoring and developing the pre-construction team.
• Reporting to the Directors on progress, commercial risk and opportunity.

Design & Technical Management

• Appointing and managing consultant teams, including scopes of service and BIM requirements.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary design and chairing design team meetings and workshops.
• Running buildability reviews, information gap analyses and specialist surveys.
• Making sure statutory approvals, planning conditions and compliance requirements are managed effectively.
• Producing a comprehensive, well-coordinated handover package for the delivery team.

Commercial & Client Management

• Developing cost plans and budgets, and overseeing estimating, market testing and procurement.
• Leading value engineering to keep schemes within budget without compromising quality.
• Reviewing NEC and JCT contract conditions and amendments, and managing contractual risk.
• Agreeing the second-stage contract sum and supporting a smooth transition to site.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, consultants and the supply chain.
• Supporting bids, framework submissions and client presentations.

About You

• Proven pre-construction, design management or senior estimating experience with a main contractor.
• Strong track record in two-stage Design & Build procurement across RIBA Stages 0-4.
• Experience across new build and refurbishment in sectors such as education, health, commercial or public sector.
• Good working knowledge of NEC and JCT contracts and framework procurement.
• Confident leading cost planning, value engineering and supply chain procurement.
• Skilled at managing consultant teams and coordinating design.
• Commercially astute, with strong risk management skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication and presentation skills.
• A relevant degree or professional qualification (MCIOB, RICS, APM or similar) would be beneficial.
• Full UK driving licence.

What's on Offer?

• Salary of £65,000 - £85,000, depending on experience.
• Additional package.
• Permanent role based at the company's Preston head office.
• A senior position with real influence over how projects are won and set up.
• A varied pipeline across education, health, commercial and residential sectors.
• A stable, long-established business with a strong commitment to its people.
• Long-term career progression within a growing business.

Apply Today
This is a fantastic opportunity for a commercially minded Pre-Construction Manager looking to lead the pre-construction process with one of the North West's most established main contractors.

If you have pre-construction, design management or two-stage Design & Build experience with a main contractor, we would be keen to hear from you.

Please get in touch today with our Commercial Specialist, Mark Harris, at Building Careers UK for a confidential discussion.

Building Careers UK specialises in Construction and Property recruitment and serves as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job, you accept the Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers which can be found on our website.

Building Careers UK is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Please Note: Due to the high volume of applicants, only those shortlisted will be contacted.

INDCOM