At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead pre-construction activities for complex social housing projects and ensure technical compliance.
- Company: Fortem, a specialist in social housing with a mission to improve living conditions.
- Benefits: 29 days leave, bonus potential, private healthcare, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to courage, care, and respect in the workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in social housing while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong understanding of building regulations and experience in technical design coordination.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced Pre-Construction Manager to take a leading technical role in the development of complex social housing projects. This role focuses on ensuring projects are technically robust, compliant, well-coordinated and ready for safe delivery. You will lead pre-construction activities from early feasibility through to structured handover, supporting schemes across:
- High-Risk Buildings (HRBs)
- Fire safety and cladding remediation
- PAS 2035 retrofit programmes
- Capital works
- Infill development
You will work closely with clients, technical specialists, consultants and internal teams to ensure projects are properly defined, de-risked and fully prepared for delivery.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate pre-construction activities across technically complex schemes
- Develop project strategies aligned with the Building Safety Act, PAS 2035, PAS 9980, Building Regulations and procurement requirements
- Coordinate surveys, investigations, design inputs and technical studies
- Ensure projects have effective programmes and robust logistics, health and safety and public protection plans
- Work with commercial and operational teams to ensure solutions are buildable, practical and cost-aware
- Oversee the development of coordinated technical, operational and commercial inputs
- Prepare and deliver a structured pre-construction and technical handover to delivery teams in line with the Fortem Blue Book
- Support compliant design development for HRB, remediation and retrofit schemes
- Identify, manage and resolve technical, design, compliance and delivery risks
- Support procurement activities, package development and technical reviews
- Engage with clients, consultants, regulatory stakeholders and supply chain partners
- Ensure strong governance, audit trails and decision-making throughout the process
What You Will Need
Essential:
- Strong understanding of the Building Safety Act, Building Regulations, PAS 2035, PAS 9980, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order and CDM 2015
- Experience managing technical design coordination and multidisciplinary inputs
- Ability to challenge and manage consultants, specialists and supply chain partners
- Experience supporting project mobilisation and delivery readiness
- Commercial awareness, including budgeting, value engineering and procurement planning
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Relevant CSCS card
- First Aid at Work certificate
- Full UK driving licence
Desirable:
- Degree (or equivalent) in Construction Management, Building Surveying, Engineering or related discipline
- Professional accreditation (e.g. MCIOB, RICS, APM)
- Experience of Gateway processes and regulatory approvals
- Additional knowledge in fire safety, façade systems or retrofit coordination
Benefits
- 29 days annual leave + your birthday off
- Eligible for a bonus of up to 10%
- 26 weeks full pay maternity leave
- Annual pay reviews
- 8 weeks full pay paternity leave
- Discounted gym memberships at national and local gyms
- Up to £3,000 colleague referral fee
- Vast directory of training on bespoke in-house Learning Management System
- Private healthcare and dental care
- Cycle to work scheme
- Retail and mobile phone provider discounts
We are a Willmott Dixon Group Company, combining the credibility and strength of a long-established brand with the flexibility of a specialist, standalone business focused on the unique challenges of social housing. Our success is driven by our people. We are passionate about what we do, committed to our clients and residents, and focused on delivering the right outcomes in the right way. Our culture is built around Courage, Care and Respect, and we invest in developing our people to achieve their full potential. We are proud to be Investors in People - Gold standard and are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Locations
Pre-Construction Manager in Sheffield, Yorkshire employer: Fortem
Fortem is an exceptional employer dedicated to the social housing sector, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and well-being. With benefits such as 29 days of annual leave, generous parental leave, and a commitment to professional development through extensive training opportunities, Fortem fosters an environment where every team member can thrive. Located within a reputable group, our mission to improve housing standards ensures that your work contributes to meaningful outcomes in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pre-Construction Manager in Sheffield, Yorkshire
✨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 Fortem, 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-Construction Manager at Fortem.
We think you need these skills to ace Pre-Construction Manager in Sheffield, Yorkshire
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 Fortem
✨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!
