Pre-contracts Manager

Pre-contracts Manager

Location: London

Salary:£85,000 - £110,000 Annually

Excellent Starting Salary + Package

Work Type: Full time

• Leading D&B Commercial Fit out Contractor
• Fantastic Starting Salary + Package
• Projects Up To £10m+

About The Role & Company

Our client is one of the UK's most respected Design & Build commercial fit-out contractors, delivering award-winning workplace environments for some of the world's leading occupiers, landlords, and corporate clients.

Due to continued success, they are seeking a Senior Pre-Construction Manager to join their London team and play a key role in converting opportunities into successful project wins.

This is a highly visible position offering exposure to senior stakeholders, significant client interaction, and a clear path for career progression within an ambitious and expanding organisation.

The Senior Pre-Construction Manager will lead all pre-construction activities from initial client engagement through to contract execution, taking ownership of both the commercial and technical development of projects.

Typically managing three to four live opportunities simultaneously, you will oversee every stage of the pre-construction process, ensuring projects are commercially robust, technically viable, contractually sound, and fully aligned with client expectations.

The role combines tender management, cost planning, programme development, technical coordination, contract negotiation, and client relationship management.

Working alongside Business Development, Designers, Project Directors, Commercial Teams, and Technical Services specialists, you will be instrumental in securing high-value projects and setting them up for successful delivery.

The Two Key Phases of the Role

Phase 1: Work Winning & Tender Strategy

The first stage focuses on supporting the sales and business development function by developing competitive, commercially attractive, and technically sound proposals.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing tender submissions from receipt through to client presentation.
• Developing project budgets and pricing strategies.
• Producing detailed cost plans and commercial appraisals.
• Coordinating design, estimating, and specialist consultant input.
• Reviewing project risks and opportunities.
• Supporting bid presentations and client pitches.
• Attending client meetings and project interviews.
• Conducting site visits and surveys alongside clients and consultants.
• Collaborating with Project Directors to develop winning bid strategies.
• Providing commercial and technical advice during the tender process.

Phase 2: Post-Win Pre-Construction Management

Once a project has been secured, responsibility shifts towards converting the opportunity into a fully deliverable project.

This critical stage can range from six weeks to six months depending on project complexity, with most schemes progressing within a six to ten-week period.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing all post-award pre-construction activities.
• Refining budgets and finalising procurement strategies.
• Developing and challenging project programmes.
• Reviewing and coordinating technical specifications.
• Leading value engineering exercises.
• Managing contract negotiations and legal reviews.
• Coordinating consultant and subcontractor design information.
• Ensuring project scope is fully defined and commercially protected.
• Supporting mobilisation and project handover to delivery teams.
• Identifying and mitigating commercial, technical, and programme-related risks.
• Establishing clear project delivery strategies prior to commencement on site.

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial Leadership

• Prepare and oversee cost plans, budgets, and commercial strategies.

• Review project financial viability and margin performance.

• Lead tender management activities across multiple live projects.

• Drive value engineering opportunities without compromising quality.

• Support procurement and supply chain engagement.

• Technical Management

• Review design information, specifications, drawings, and consultant documentation.

• Ensure proposals are technically robust and deliverable.

• Coordinate technical input from design, delivery, and specialist teams.

• Contribute to buildability reviews and programme development.

• Maintain awareness of emerging construction methodologies and workplace trends.

• Programming & Project Planning

• Develop and review construction programmes.

• Challenge sequencing, logistics, and delivery methodologies.

• Ensure project timelines are achievable and commercially effective.

• Align construction strategies with client objectives and operational requirements.

• Client Engagement

• Build trusted relationships with clients, landlords, consultants, and project stakeholders.

• Attend regular client meetings and presentations.

• Support the sales team in securing new opportunities.

• Conduct site walks and technical discussions with prospective clients.

• Act as the primary pre-construction contact throughout the bid and negotiation process.

• Contractual Management

• Review and negotiate contractual documentation.

• Work alongside legal and commercial teams to manage project risk.

• Ensure contractual obligations are understood and appropriately managed before project commencement.

• Support contract execution and project mobilisation processes.

• Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience as a Pre-Construction Manager, Senior Pre-Construction Manager, Commercial Manager, Design Manager, Project Manager, or similar within the Design & Build fit-out sector.

• Strong experience delivering commercial fit-out projects valued between £2m and £10m+.

• Excellent understanding of tendering, cost planning, procurement, and commercial management.

• Experience developing project programmes and delivery strategies.

• Strong technical understanding of commercial construction and fit-out projects.

• Experience managing contract negotiations and pre-contract activities.

• Ability to lead multiple opportunities simultaneously within a fast-paced environment.

• Exceptional stakeholder and client management skills.

• Strong communication and presentation abilities.

• Solid understanding of construction contracts and risk management.

• Personal Attributes

• Commercially astute and strategically minded.

• Solutions-focused and proactive.

• Natural relationship builder.

• Confident presenting to senior clients and stakeholders.

• Strong negotiating and influencing skills.

• Able to balance commercial, technical, and client priorities.

• Comfortable working in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment.

• What's On Offer

• Competitive salary, commission and performance-related bonus.

• Opportunity to work on some of London's most prestigious workplace projects.

• Exposure to major schemes valued well beyond £10m.

• Clear and structured career progression pathway into senior leadership.

• Collaborative and highly successful pre-construction team.

• Excellent culture with strong staff retention.

• Pension, private healthcare, holiday allowance, and additional benefits.

• Genuine opportunity to influence business growth and project success.