At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and scale a high-performing preconstruction function in fire protection.
- Company: Rapidly growing fire protection and building safety business.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape the future direction of the company and influence growth.
- Other info: Ideal for those seeking a senior role with significant influence and career growth.
- Why this job: Join a major growth phase and make a real impact in a specialist environment.
- Qualifications: Deep technical knowledge of Passive Fire Protection and proven leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 57704 - 70528 £ per year.
Referment is exclusively supporting a rapidly growing fire protection and building safety business in the search for a Head of Preconstruction to lead, build, and scale a high-performing work-winning function. This is a senior leadership opportunity for a specialist who understands how to build structure, process, and predictability within a growing specialist contractor environment. The business is entering a major growth phase and is looking for an experienced preconstruction leader who has operated in businesses delivering 10m+ GBP turnover and can demonstrate the ability to help scale operations toward 50m GBP.
The role will take end-to-end ownership of the full preconstruction function including:
- Tendering and estimating strategy to drive sustained revenue growth
- Work winning and bid leadership
- Commercial and technical risk management
- Client engagement and negotiations
- Fire safety design coordination
- Team leadership, recruitment, and operational transformation
- Digital tools, BIM, and process improvement
We are looking for individuals with deep technical expertise and a stable career history, specifically:
- Deep technical knowledge of Passive Fire Protection and Building Safety
- A proven track record of building and scaling a preconstruction function from the ground up
- Experience in specialist subcontracting environments with a turnover of 10m+ GBP
- Success in leading bid strategies that result in measurable business growth
- A history of professional stability, showing the ability to commit to a business and see a growth strategy through over a period of 3+ years
Key Experience Sought:
- Proven background leading preconstruction or estimating teams with end-to-end process ownership
- Strong commercial and strategic capability focused on work-winning and preconstruction leadership
- Experience managing high-volume tender pipelines
- Expert knowledge of FIRAS, the Building Safety Act, and CDM
- Familiarity with digital construction tools, estimating software, and BIM
- High emotional intelligence with a collaborative leadership style to inspire and develop others
- Ability to influence at senior and board level
- Comfortable operating in a fast-growth environment
This is a rare opportunity to build and shape a function with genuine influence over the future direction of the business.
Head of Preconstruction - Fire Protection (380A097) employer: Referment
Join a leading Tier 1/2 contractor renowned for its commitment to delivering complex, large-scale construction projects across the South West and London. With a strong focus on employee development, you will benefit from a dynamic work culture that encourages innovation and collaboration, alongside opportunities for career progression in a site-based leadership role. This is your chance to take ownership of high-stakes infrastructure projects while working within a supportive environment that values safety, quality, and commercial success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Preconstruction - Fire Protection (380A097)
✨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 Referment, 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 Preconstruction - Fire Protection (380A097) at Referment.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Preconstruction - Fire Protection (380A097)
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 Referment
✨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!
