At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage pre-construction processes, from cost planning to client management on exciting projects.
- Company: Join Modus Design & Build, a leading design-led contractor in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, clear career progression, and a collaborative team environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to work on high-quality projects across London and the South West.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of innovative projects that inspire and evolve workplaces.
- Qualifications: Experience in pre-construction or project management, with strong commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Modus Design and Build is a leading design-led contractor specialising in high quality commercial workplace projects across London, the South West and the UK. We deliver projects that go beyond function — creating environments that inspire people and evolve with the businesses that use them. We operate with a strong pipeline, an ambitious team and a clear commitment to doing things properly.
We are looking for an experienced Pre-Contracts Manager to join our growing team. This is a hands-on, commercially focused role sitting at the heart of our project delivery process, responsible for taking projects from initial opportunity through to contract across London, the South West and the UK.
You will manage the full pre-construction process on your projects — cost planning, tendering, procurement, programme, contract review and client management — working closely with design, technical and construction teams to ensure every project is set up to deliver. Under the stewardship of the Account Director, you will work closely with a collaborative and high performing team with a clear focus on doing things properly.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES- Cost Planning and Tendering
- Develop and manage cost plans from early stage through to full tender
- Obtain and interrogate subcontractor quotes across all packages, with a minimum of three quotes per trade
- Identify scope gaps, pricing anomalies and commercial risk across competing quotes
- Produce robust and defensible Cost Schedules of Activities for client submission
- Procurement and Supply Chain
- Manage the full tender process across all works packages
- Engage and develop relationships with subcontractors and suppliers
- Ensure procurement is aligned with design, programme and commercial targets
- Programme Management
- Write and manage the pre-construction programme from first principles
- Hold both the internal team and client to account against key dates and milestones
- Protect the programme proactively, identifying and escalating risk early
- Contract and Risk Management
- Review and interrogate JCT contracts and Schedules of Amendments
- Identify and traffic-light contractual risks, knowing what to push back on and what to accept
- Ensure all projects are properly de-risked before proceeding to contract
- Client and Project Management
- Act as the primary pre-construction point of contact for your clients
- Chair and minute project meetings, managing agendas and action logs
- Coordinate across design, technical and construction disciplines throughout the pre-contract phase
- Support the project lead in client engagement and opportunity conversion
- Contribute to and present within pitch presentations, demonstrating pre-construction knowledge and commercial credibility in the room
- Building Services
- Interrogate mechanical, electrical and specialist services packages for scope, completeness and value
- Engage confidently with services subcontractors and client-side technical advisors
- Know when to involve specialist support and brief them effectively when required
- Proven experience in a pre-construction, quantity surveying or project management role within Design and Build or commercial fit-out
- Strong commercial acumen with a solid understanding of cost planning, tendering and procurement
- Working knowledge of JCT contracts and pre-contract documentation
- Ability to write and manage a pre-construction programme
- Confident client-facing communicator, able to chair meetings and manage professional teams
- Some exposure to building services coordination desirable
- Experience contributing to or presenting within client-facing pitch environments desirable
- Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or equivalent desirable
- Commercially sharp with a genuine instinct for cost, risk and opportunity
- Proactive, organised and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously without losing accuracy
- A clear and confident communicator in writing and in the room
- Someone who asks the right questions, challenges where it matters and knows when to escalate
- Ambitious, driven and looking to develop within a growing business
- A high quality pipeline of commercial workplace projects across London, the South West and the UK
- A collaborative, high performance team that takes its work seriously
- Clear progression within a growing and ambitious business
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
Locations
Pre Contracts Manager in Hampshire, Portsmouth employer: Modus
Modus Design & Build is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where creativity and collaboration thrive. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide clear progression opportunities within our ambitious team, alongside a competitive salary and a diverse portfolio of high-quality commercial projects that inspire and evolve with our clients' needs.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pre Contracts Manager in Hampshire, Portsmouth
✨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 Modus, 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 Contracts Manager at Modus.
We think you need these skills to ace Pre Contracts Manager in Hampshire, Portsmouth
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 Modus
✨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!
