Pre-Construction Manager

Pre-Construction Manager

Full-Time 60000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead exciting projects from concept to delivery, ensuring successful handovers.
  • Company: Join a dynamic team at a leading retail brand with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy discounts, competitive holidays, bonuses, and a supportive work environment.
  • Other info: We value diversity and support your personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in shaping new store developments and enhancing customer experiences.
  • Qualifications: Experience in project management or construction consultancy is essential.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.

What You Will Do

  • Lead technical and commercial feasibility assessments for new stores, relocations, extensions and development opportunities, evaluating site constraints, viability, abnormal costs, delivery risks and development potential.
  • Manage projects through concept, definition and development stages, maintaining programmes, critical paths, milestones and readiness criteria to ensure successful handover at Stage Gate 2.
  • Review and negotiate landlord and developer requirements, including Agreements for Lease (AFL) technical elements, shell specifications, development obligations and operational standards.
  • Coordinate and challenge multidisciplinary consultant teams, including architects, engineers, planners, cost consultants and specialist advisors, ensuring design information is coordinated, commercially robust and deliverable.
  • Prepare business cases, governance submissions, project budgets, cost plans and risk mitigation strategies, providing clear recommendations and ensuring projects remain aligned to approved capital parameters.
  • Who You Will Be
  • A commercially astute project professional who can balance feasibility, risk, programme, cost and operational requirements to support informed business decision‑making.
  • A confident leader who can influence and challenge consultants, contractors, landlords, developers and stakeholders to achieve the best project outcomes.
  • An organised and proactive problem solver, capable of managing multiple projects, competing priorities, programme risks and critical path activities.
  • A strong communicator with excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills, able to present complex information and recommendations clearly.
  • Resilient and adaptable, comfortable working in ambiguous environments, resolving constraints and identifying opportunities to strengthen project viability and delivery.
  • What You Will Bring
  • Proven experience in pre‑construction, development management, project management or construction consultancy within retail, commercial, mixed‑use or large‑scale development environments.
  • Strong knowledge of feasibility, design development, planning, statutory approvals, construction delivery and front‑end development processes.
  • Experience developing and managing cost plans, project budgets, value engineering initiatives, risk registers and mitigation strategies.
  • Degree qualified in Construction, Property, Surveying, Architecture, Engineering or a related discipline, with MRICS, MCIOB, MAPM or equivalent qualification beneficial or working towards.
  • Strong technical and commercial capability, including experience using Microsoft Excel, Teams, Project and Power Point, with knowledge of retail development processes advantageous but not essential.

Benefits

  • 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third‑party brands for you and a member of your household.
  • Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days!
  • Discretionary bonus schemes awarded based on how you achieve your personal objectives and our performance as a business.
  • A generous Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and Life Assurance.
  • A dedicated welcome to our teams with a tailored induction and a wide range of training programmes to develop your skills.
  • Amazing perks and discounts via our M&S Choices portal to maximise your financial and personal wellbeing.
  • Industry‑leading parental, adoption and neonatal policies, providing support and flexibility for your family.
  • Access to a fantastic range of wellbeing support for all colleagues including access to our 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist to support you and your family.
  • A charity volunteer day to support a charity or cause you're passionate about through a dedicated day away from work.

We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best.

We support each other and work together to win together.

If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don't hesitate to let us know when completing your application.

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Pre-Construction Manager employer: MARKS&SPENCER

At MARKS&SPENCER, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to excel. As an Engineering Strategy Lead in Greater London, you will benefit from a supportive environment that prioritises professional growth, offers mentorship opportunities, and encourages the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Join us to be part of a team that values excellence and is committed to making a meaningful impact in the retail sector.

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Contact Details:

MARKS&SPENCER Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Pre-Construction Manager

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 MARKS&SPENCER, 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 MARKS&SPENCER.

We think you need these skills to ace Pre-Construction Manager

Technical Feasibility Assessment
Commercial Feasibility Assessment
Project Management
Stakeholder Management
Negotiation Skills
Risk Mitigation Strategies
Cost Planning

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 MARKS&SPENCER

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!