Pre-Construction Manager - Main Contractor (Design & Build) Location: Preston, Lancashire (covering the North West) Salary/Package: £65,000 - £85,000 + Package Job Type: Permanent About the Company Our client is a well-established, family-founded main contractor with more than a century of history in the construction industry and a reputation built firmly in the North West. Operating from offices in Lancashire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester, the business delivers new build, refurbishment, extension and fit-out projects. It is supported by its own maintenance, joinery manufacturing and electrical divisions, along with a large directly employed trades workforce. The business works across the education, health, commercial, industrial, retail, residential, and sports and leisure sectors. Its portfolio includes university buildings, hospital and healthcare schemes, distribution facilities, heritage refurbishments and student accommodation. Known for working closely with clients and their consultant teams, and with a strong commitment to health and safety, training and in-house skills, the business continues to secure a healthy pipeline of negotiated, framework and two-stage work. Due to continued growth, they are looking to appoint a Pre-Construction Manager to lead and develop the pre-construction function across the region. The Role This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Pre-Construction Manager to take ownership of a varied portfolio of schemes from early engagement through to contract award and handover to the delivery team. The successful candidate will manage projects through RIBA Stages 0-4, with a strong focus on two-stage Design & Build procurement. They will make sure each scheme is commercially viable, technically sound and properly de-risked before it reaches site. This is a client-facing, hands-on leadership position. You will work closely with clients, consultants, design teams, the supply chain and internal estimating, commercial and operations teams, and report to the Directors on commercial risk and opportunity. The role would suit a Pre-Construction Manager, Senior Pre-Construction Coordinator, Design Manager or Senior Estimator with main contractor experience who is ready to take the next step in a business that values pre-construction as a key driver of project success. Key Responsibilities Pre-Construction & Design Management Leading the pre-construction process across RIBA Stages 0-4 on two-stage Design & Build and negotiated projects. Managing consultant appointments, scopes of service, BIM requirements and design deliverable schedules. Coordinating multidisciplinary design teams and chairing design reviews and buildability workshops. Carrying out information gap analyses and arranging specialist surveys and investigations. Identifying technical deficiencies, construction constraints and statutory or compliance requirements early. Developing and managing pre-construction programmes, milestones and dependencies. Producing a robust, well-coordinated handover package for the delivery team.Commercial & Cost Management Developing and monitoring project budgets and NRM-aligned cost plans. Overseeing estimating, Bills of Quantities, market testing and subcontractor procurement. Leading structured value engineering exercises, challenging specification, design and scope. Maintaining risk and opportunity registers and reporting commercial exposure to the Directors. Reviewing contract conditions and amendments under NEC and JCT forms with legal advisors. Agreeing the second-stage contract sum and ensuring commercial viability at contract award.Bidding, Clients & Team Leadership Supporting two-stage and framework tender submissions, including qualitative and quantitative responses. Chairing client-facing progress meetings, design workshops and commercial discussions. Building strong long-term relationships with clients, consultants and the supply chain. Leading, mentoring and developing pre-construction and estimating staff. Driving continuous improvement, standard processes and digital ways of working across the department.About You Proven experience in a pre-construction, design management or senior estimating role with a main contractor. Strong background in two-stage Design & Build procurement across RIBA Stages 0-4. Experience on new build, refurbishment and fit-out projects in sectors such as education, health, commercial or public sector. Sound knowledge of NEC and JCT contracts and framework procurement. Confident preparing NRM-aligned cost plans, managing budgets and leading value engineering. Experienced in managing consultant teams, design coordination and subcontractor procurement. Commercially astute, with a strong understanding of contractual and commercial risk. Proficient in estimating and programming software such as ConQuest, Bluebeam, Asta Powerproject or MS Project. Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management 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 opportunity with a long-established and highly respected North West main contractor. A varied pipeline of education, health, commercial and residential projects. Genuine ownership of, and influence over, the pre-construction function. A stable, family-founded business with a strong commitment to training and development. Long-term career progression within a growing business.Apply Today This is a fantastic opportunity for a commercially minded Pre-Construction Manager who wants to lead the pre-construction process on high-quality Design & Build projects across the North West. If you have experience in two-stage Design & Build, design management, cost planning or pre-construction 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
Pre Constrcution Manager in Preston employer: Building Careers Uk
As a leading construction and civil engineering contractor in Huyton, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to excel. With competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, we are committed to supporting your professional growth through ongoing training and development opportunities, ensuring you thrive in your role as a Senior Estimator. Join us to be part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering high-quality residential developments and infrastructure projects while enjoying the stability of a strong pipeline of work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pre Constrcution Manager in Preston
✨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 Building Careers Uk, 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 Pre Constrcution Manager at Building Careers Uk.
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 Building Careers Uk
✨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!
