At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the pre-construction process for major commercial projects and develop bid strategies.
- Company: Established Design & Build contractor with a focus on commercial fit-out.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, company car, private healthcare, and pension scheme.
- Other info: Genuine long-term leadership opportunity with significant influence across the business.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a growing business and influence commercial strategy.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading Pre-Construction teams and strong commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Head of Pre-Construction
Salary
Competitive + Performance Bonus + Car Allowance/Company Car + Private Healthcare
Are you a commercially driven Pre-Construction leader looking to shape the future of a growing Design & Build contractor?
We're partnering with an established commercial fit-out specialist seeking an experienced
Head of Pre-Construction to lead its front-end delivery function. This is a key leadership role with significant influence over commercial strategy, profitability, bid quality and business growth.
The Role
Reporting into the senior leadership team, you'll take ownership of the entire pre-construction process—from early client engagement through to contract award—ensuring projects are commercially robust, competitively priced and successfully handed over for delivery.
This is an opportunity to lead a high-performing team while working closely with clients, consultants and internal stakeholders on major commercial Design & Build projects.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the pre-construction function across multiple commercial fit-out projects.
- Develop bid strategies, pricing, risk allowances and margin targets.
- Own client presentations, pitches and commercial negotiations.
- Manage estimating, cost planning, feasibility studies and pre-construction programmes.
- Ensure designs are commercially viable and buildable.
- Validate cost plans, programmes and assumptions with operational teams.
- Drive value engineering while protecting quality and profitability.
- Oversee commercial governance, contracts, change control and cash flow.
- Build and mentor a high-performing pre-construction team.
- Act as the senior commercial point of contact for clients, consultants and supply chain partners.
About You
You'll ideally bring
- Proven experience leading Pre-Construction or Commercial teams within a Design & Build contractor.
- Strong experience pricing and delivering projects valued at
- Excellent knowledge of commercial office fit-out and wider commercial property sectors.
- Strong commercial acumen with excellent risk management skills.
- Experience leading client negotiations and presenting at senior stakeholder level.
- Previous experience managing and developing teams.
- Strong knowledge of JCT contracts and commercial governance.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and leadership skills.
- What's on Offer
- Competitive salary (DOE)
- Performance-related bonus
- Company car or car allowance
- Private healthcare
- Pension scheme
- Opportunity to shape commercial strategy within a growing business
- Work on flagship commercial Design & Build projects valued between
- Genuine long-term leadership opportunity with significant influence across the business.
Head of Pre Con in Watford employer: Bigblue
As a Senior Manager in Technical Services, you will thrive in a dynamic and innovative work culture that prioritises collaboration and professional growth. Our flagship City of London retrofit project offers not only a competitive salary but also unique opportunities to lead cutting-edge initiatives while working alongside industry experts. Join us to make a meaningful impact in sustainable design and enjoy a supportive environment that fosters your career advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Pre Con in Watford
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Bigblue, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Head of Pre Con at Bigblue.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Pre Con in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bigblue
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
