At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic pre-construction team and shape winning project strategies.
- Company: Join Willmott Dixon, a top-rated employer with a focus on sustainability and community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, career growth, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a company recognised for its commitment to equality and sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in construction while leading innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in pre-construction and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 £ per year.
We're looking for a Preconstruction Manager to join our North-West leadership team, based from our regional head office in Oldham. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for bringing together and leading an experienced pre-construction team across a number of technical disciplines, including Estimating, Planning, Preconstruction Project Management and wider specialist functions. You'll play a key role in shaping how we approach new opportunities, leading the team to develop winning, commercially robust and deliverable solutions across a strong and varied pipeline of projects.
As Preconstruction Manager, you'll provide leadership across the pre-construction function, working closely with senior colleagues from Operations, Commercial, Design, Planning, Building Services and Work Winning. You'll lead and support experienced senior managers within the team, creating the right environment for them to perform at their best while maintaining clear ownership of the overall pre-construction strategy. This is a role for someone who can see the bigger picture. You'll balance commercial considerations, customer requirements, technical challenges, risk and deliverability, while making sure the right people are brought together at the right time to give us the strongest possible chance of securing the right projects. You'll also have significant interaction with customers, consultants, supply chain partners and senior leaders across the business.
What you'll be responsible for:
- Lead the Northwest pre-construction team across multiple technical disciplines.
- Provide direction and support to senior managers.
- Set clear priorities and ensure the team is focused on the right opportunities.
- Lead major bids and pre-construction activity from early engagement through to contract award.
- Develop clear bid strategies and ensure technical, commercial and operational teams are fully aligned.
- Challenge risk, design, methodology, programme, logistics and procurement strategies.
- Ensure bids are competitive, commercially robust and deliverable.
- Build strong relationships with customers and key external stakeholders.
- Work closely with operational teams to ensure a smooth transition from pre-construction into delivery.
- Develop people, improve processes and continue to raise the standard of our pre-construction capability.
What we're looking for:
- Strong experience in pre-construction within a main contracting environment, ideally with a track record of leading complex bids and multidisciplinary teams.
- Comfortable leading experienced senior professionals rather than simply managing a process.
- Ability to provide direction, challenge constructively and create accountability while giving people the autonomy to use their expertise.
- A strong understanding of the full pre-construction process.
- Experience of successful bid and tender delivery.
- Good commercial awareness and an understanding of project risk.
- The ability to bring together multiple technical disciplines around a clear strategy.
- Strong customer and stakeholder management skills.
- The confidence to influence at senior level.
- Experience of developing and leading high-performing teams.
A relevant construction qualification or professional membership such as MCIOB, RICS or MAPM would be beneficial but isn't essential where the right experience can be demonstrated.
With over 170 years of rich history, Willmott Dixon's purpose is beyond profit; delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment so our world is fit for future generations. Ensuring that we add lasting value to the neighbourhoods we work in; our values, people, innovation, partnerships and focus on sustainability has allowed us to build a successful and solid privately owned business where our people can thrive.
Willmott Dixon was recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 10 "Big" Companies to Work For in 2025, named among the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2024, and ranked in the Top Five of Europe's 1,000 best workplaces by the Financial Times in 2025. Willmott Dixon is also the first major contractor and developer to win a King's Award for Enterprise in the category of sustainable development.
Preconstruction Manager in Oldham employer: Willmott Dixon Group
Willmott Dixon Group is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that values collaboration and innovation within the Interiors team. With the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements, employees enjoy a balanced lifestyle while benefiting from professional growth opportunities and a supportive environment that encourages strong inter-team relationships.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Preconstruction Manager in Oldham
✨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 Willmott Dixon Group, 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 Preconstruction Manager at Willmott Dixon Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Preconstruction Manager in Oldham
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 Willmott Dixon Group
✨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!
