Pre-Construction Manager
19 days ago
London
Pre-Construction Manager Location: London (hybrid working – 3 days in the office, 2 days from home, with travel to project sites as required) Salary: £70,000 – £100,000 + bonus (OTE £125,000) We are recruiting on behalf of our client for an experienced Pre-Construction Director to lead the front-end of Design & Build office fit out projects. Role Overview This is a senior role responsible for converting opportunities into secured work through strong commercial leadership, accurate pricing, and effective management of the pre-construction process. You will oversee all pre-construction activity from initial enquiry through to contract execution, ensuring projects are commercially robust, technically coordinated, and aligned with client and landlord requirements. Key Responsibilities Pre-Construction Leadership • Lead and manage the full pre-construction lifecycle across multiple projects, • Oversee internal teams (estimating, design, commercial) and external consultants, • Drive programme, procurement strategy, and risk management from the outset, • Chair internal tender reviews and pre-start handover meetings Pricing & Commercial Strategy • Take ownership of pricing Design & Build CAT A, CAT A+, and CAT B office fit out projects, • Produce and review detailed cost plans, tenders, and value engineering proposals, • Manage supply chain engagement and subcontractor pricing strategies, • Lead cost adjudication meetings and ensure alignment with project scope, • Ensure pricing reflects programme constraints, risk, and delivery strategy Design & Build Coordination • Manage design development from concept through to construction issue, • Ensure buildability, compliance, and cost alignment at every stage, • Coordinate with designers, M&E consultants, and subcontractors, • Identify and mitigate design risks early License to Alter (LTA) & Landlord Approvals • Lead License to Alter submissions for tenant fit out projects, • Liaise with landlords, managing agents, and professional teams, • Ensure all design information meets building and landlord requirements, • Track approvals and manage revisions to maintain programme Contract Negotiation & Agreement • Lead negotiation and agreement of Design & Build contracts, • Manage risk allocation, amendments, and clarifications, • Work closely with legal and commercial teams to finalise agreements Client & Stakeholder Management • Act as key point of contact during pre-construction phase, • Build strong relationships with clients, agents, landlords, and consultants, • Present proposals, programmes, and cost plans confidently, • Support business development activity to secure new work Handover to Delivery Team • Ensure structured handover from pre-construction to delivery, • Provide clear scope, cost, programme, and risk position, • Align all stakeholders prior to site mobilisation Key Requirements Experience • Senior pre-construction experience within office fit out (CAT A / CAT B), • Strong track record in Design & Build pricing, • Experience managing License to Alter processes, • Contract negotiation experience, • Background in estimating, commercial management, or project delivery Technical Knowledge • Strong understanding of office fit out methodologies, • Knowledge of M&E systems and coordination, • UK building regulations and landlord approval processes, • Procurement and supply chain management experience, • Ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications Commercial & Leadership Skills • Strong cost planning and pricing capability, • Excellent commercial awareness and risk management, • Ability to lead teams and manage stakeholders effectively, • Strong communication and negotiation skills Desirable • Experience working with London landlords and managing agents, • Established network within the fit out supply chain, • Exposure to business development activity What Success Looks Like • Strong conversion from enquiry to secured projects, • Accurate and commercially robust pricing, • Smooth transition into delivery phase, • Strong client relationships and repeat business, • Effective risk management across projects Package • £70,000 – £100,000 basic salary, • Bonus scheme with OTE up to £125,000, • Hybrid working (3 days office / 2 days remote), • Competitive benefits package