Preconstruction Director in London

Leading the front end of some of the UK’s most complex infrastructure projects, STRABAG UK Infrastructure is entering a period of highly significant growth. With a rapidly expanding pipeline across energy, water, secure, major civil engineering, and ground engineering, we are on track to position as a leading UK construction business. The Pre-Construction Director leads the people and processes that position STRABAG to win and successfully mobilise infrastructure projects across the UK. This role sits at the heart of the business - shaping opportunity identification and bid strategy through to governance, work winning, lessons learnt and handover.

You lead a multidisciplinary team of bid management, whilst working closely with sector directors, business development, and project delivery teams. The role sets the strategy and governance for all pre‑award activity from opportunity shaping to contract execution, driving disciplined selection, margin protection, design certainty, and predictable delivery outcomes in line with People, Planet, Progress.

Provide visible leadership for health, safety and wellbeing in all preconstruction activities; ensure Safety by Design, CDM compliance and quality are embedded in bids and pre‑award delivery planning.

• Lead the development and execution of the FY26+ preconstruction strategy, including pipeline shaping, sector/region prioritisation and stage‑gate governance across all BUs.
• Ensure that the Pre Construction function complies with STRABAG systems and processes which stand up to the scrutiny of compliance reviews.
• Be accountable for disciplined bid/no‑bid and pursuit planning/readiness reviews/lessons learnt.
• Mentor and coach preconstruction teams; build capability, succession and a high‑performing, inclusive culture across regions and BUs.
• Establish data and digital tools for single‑source tender data, bid libraries and lessons learned.
• Report with authority to Sub‑Division leadership on preconstruction.

• Degree in Engineering, Construction, Quantity Surveying, Business or related discipline.
• Extensive leadership of preconstruction across multi‑disciplinary bids (£20m–£300m+), including two‑stage and framework call‑offs.
• Strong commercial and contractual literacy (NEC/FIDIC exposure advantageous); risk, insurance and bonding.
• Deep understanding of estimating, cost planning, planning and buildability; proven ability to protect margin through target value design.
• Track record of managing client and operator relationships at senior levels.
• CDM 2015, Safety by Design and quality assurance understanding; ability to embed HSSE in pre‑award stages.
• Digital/BIM fluency and ISO 19650 awareness; competence with common data environments and 4D/tender planning tools.
• Track record of leading and coaching regional/bid teams; building capability and consistent standards.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills; credible with clients, consultants, partners and supply chain at senior level.
• Chartered status (CIOB / RICS / ICE / CEng) or progress towards it.
• NEC/FIDIC experience.
• Sector breadth across Water, Energy, Secure (civil Nuclear). Discipline breadth in civils; tunnelling, ground engineering.
• Demonstrable experience of ECI/two‑stage procurement and pre‑services agreements.
• Knowledge of carbon, social value measurement and ED&I in bids.
• Data skills (Power BI or equivalent) for pipeline, win/loss and variance analysis.

• Opportunity to work and have a lasting impact on landmark UK infrastructure projects.
• Collaborative and innovative working environment.
• Professional development and career progression.
• Competitive salary and benefits package including private health cover, 9% pension and 25 days holiday.

We stand for respect, partnership, and sustainability, creating a work environment that promotes safety, health, and development. Our committed and healthy employees are our most valuable asset – the foundation for sustainable growth and innovation. With our "People. Planet. Progress." strategy and the motto WORK ON PROGRESS, we drive change forward – with the goal of climate neutrality by 2040.