At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial activities from sales enquiry to tender submission in the construction sector.
- Company: Dynamic company focused on structures and buildings with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the construction industry while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and 8+ years in commercial/estimating roles.
- Other info: Join a diverse team and enjoy excellent career progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Pre-Construction Commercial Manager is responsible for leading and managing all commercial and estimating activities from initial sales enquiry through to tender submission. The role ensures commercially competitive, technically compliant, and risk-assessed bid submissions aligned with company strategy and margin targets.
This position bridges sales, estimating, technical, and operational teams to develop robust, profitable, and well-structured bids within the structures and building sector.
Key Responsibilities- Sales Enquiry & Opportunity Assessment
- Review and assess incoming sales enquiries and PQQs.
- Undertake initial commercial and contractual risk reviews.
- Support bid/no-bid decision process with senior management.
- Engage with clients, consultants, and supply chain during early stages.
- Contribute to pre-construction strategy and win plans.
- Pre-Construction Commercial Management
- Lead the commercial elements of pre-construction activities.
- Develop and manage tender budgets and cost plans.
- Identify key commercial risks and mitigation strategies.
- Review contract conditions (JCT, NEC, bespoke forms, etc.).
- Provide advice on procurement strategies and packaging of works.
- Estimating
- Oversee and/or prepare detailed cost estimates.
- Interpret drawings, specifications, and technical documents.
- Prepare take-offs and Bills of Quantities (where required).
- Obtain and evaluate subcontractor and supplier quotations.
- Benchmark costs against historical data and market rates.
- Ensure allowances, preliminaries, overheads, and margins are correctly applied.
- Value engineering and cost optimisation input.
- Tendering & Bid Submission
- Coordinate commercial inputs into tender submissions.
- Prepare pricing documents and ensure compliance with tender requirements.
- Lead tender adjudication meetings.
- Finalise commercial submissions, clarifications, and qualifications.
- Support post-tender negotiations and client meetings.
- Assist in contract award and handover to delivery teams.
- Risk & Governance
- Maintain a tender risk register.
- Conduct sensitivity analysis and margin reviews.
- Ensure compliance with internal governance and approval procedures.
- Monitor market conditions and cost trends.
- Stakeholder & Team Management
- Work closely with Sales & Business Development, Technical/Design Teams, Operations/Project Managers, and Procurement Teams.
- Manage and mentor estimators (if applicable).
- Develop strong relationships with key subcontractors and suppliers.
- Strong commercial acumen and financial awareness.
- Advanced estimating and cost planning expertise.
- Knowledge of structures and building construction methodologies.
- Excellent understanding of construction contracts (NEC, JCT, etc.).
- Risk identification and mitigation capability.
- Strong negotiation and communication skills.
- Ability to work under pressure to tight bid deadlines.
- Strategic thinking with attention to detail.
- Degree or HNC/HND in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, or related field.
- 8+ years’ experience in commercial/estimating roles within structures and building.
- Proven experience leading tenders from enquiry to submission.
- Experience in structural steel, concrete, civils, or building packages (as relevant).
- Membership of RICS (preferred but not essential).
- Experience of working within Sports stadia / the leisure market would be an advantage.
- Bid success rate (% win ratio).
- Margin achievement vs target.
- Accuracy of cost estimates vs final contract value.
- Quality and compliance of tender submissions.
- Risk management effectiveness.
- Timely submission of bids.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Pre-Construction Commercial Manager in England employer: Advance Training & Recruitment Services
Contact Detail:
Advance Training & Recruitment Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Pre-Construction Commercial Manager in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Pre-Construction Commercial Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in leading tenders and managing commercial activities. Make sure they know you’ve got the skills to handle risk assessments and cost planning like a champ.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of construction contracts and methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully navigated challenges in past roles. Confidence is key, so practice makes perfect!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Pre-Construction Commercial Manager in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Pre-Construction Commercial Manager role. Highlight your experience in commercial management and estimating, and show how it aligns with our needs in the structures and buildings sector.
Showcase Your Skills: We want to see your strong commercial acumen and financial awareness shine through. Be specific about your achievements in previous roles, especially those related to tender submissions and risk management.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read and understand your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Advance Training & Recruitment Services
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Pre-Construction Commercial Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your strong commercial acumen. Brush up on your financial knowledge and be ready to discuss how you’ve managed budgets and cost plans in previous roles. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've identified risks and optimised costs.
✨Understand the Contracts
Familiarise yourself with different construction contracts like JCT and NEC. During the interview, show that you can interpret these documents and explain how they impact project delivery. This will highlight your expertise and reassure them that you can navigate complex contractual landscapes.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
This role requires collaboration with various teams. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully engaged with sales, technical, and operational teams in the past. Share examples of how you’ve built relationships with subcontractors and suppliers, as this is crucial for managing bids effectively.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
The interviewers will be looking for your ability to think strategically under pressure. Prepare to talk about a time when you had to make a tough bid decision or manage a tight deadline. Highlight your attention to detail and how you ensure compliance with internal governance while still achieving targets.