Modus
Design & Build | Pre-Contracts Manager
Location
Tide Building, 8 Emerson Street, London SE1 9DU
Reporting To
Account Director or Divisional Director
ABOUT MODUS
Modus Design and Build is a leading design-led contractor specialising in high quality commercial workplace projects across London, the South West and the UK. We deliver projects that go beyond function — creating environments that inspire people and evolve with the businesses that use them. We operate with a strong pipeline, an ambitious team and a clear commitment to doing things properly.
THE ROLE
We are looking for an experienced Pre-Contracts Manager to join our growing team. This is a hands-on, commercially focused role sitting at the heart of our project delivery process, responsible for taking projects from initial opportunity through to contract across London, the South West and the UK.
You will manage the full pre-construction process on your projects — cost planning, tendering, procurement, programme, contract review and client management — working closely with design, technical and construction teams to ensure every project is set up to deliver. Under the stewardship of the Account Director, you will work closely with a collaborative and high performing team with a clear focus on doing things properly.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Cost Planning and Tendering
• Develop and manage cost plans from early stage through to full tender
• Obtain and interrogate subcontractor quotes across all packages, with a minimum of three quotes per trade
• Identify scope gaps, pricing anomalies and commercial risk across competing quotes
• Produce robust and defensible Cost Schedules of Activities for client submission
Procurement and Supply Chain
• Manage the full tender process across all works packages
• Engage and develop relationships with subcontractors and suppliers
• Ensure procurement is aligned with design, programme and commercial targets
Programme Management
• Write and manage the pre-construction programme from first principles
• Hold both the internal team and client to account against key dates and milestones
• Protect the programme proactively, identifying and escalating risk early
Contract and Risk Management
• Review and interrogate JCT contracts and Schedules of Amendments
• Identify and traffic-light contractual risks, knowing what to push back on and what to accept
• Ensure all projects are properly de-risked before proceeding to contract
Client and Project Management
• Act as the primary pre-construction point of contact for your clients
• Chair and minute project meetings, managing agendas and action logs
• Coordinate across design, technical and construction disciplines throughout the pre-contract phase
• Support the project lead in client engagement and opportunity conversion
Contribute to and present within pitch presentations, demonstrating pre-construction knowledge and commercial credibility in the room
Building Services
• Interrogate mechanical, electrical and specialist services packages for scope, completeness and value
• Engage confidently with services subcontractors and client-side technical advisors
• Know when to involve specialist support and brief them effectively when required
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
• Proven experience in a pre-construction, quantity surveying or project management role within Design and Build or commercial fit-out
• Strong commercial acumen with a solid understanding of cost planning, tendering and procurement
• Working knowledge of JCT contracts and pre-contract documentation
• Ability to write and manage a pre-construction programme
• Confident client-facing communicator, able to chair meetings and manage professional teams
• Some exposure to building services coordination desirable
• Experience contributing to or presenting within client-facing pitch environments desirable
• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or equivalent desirable
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
• Commercially sharp with a genuine instinct for cost, risk and opportunity
• Proactive, organised and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously without losing accuracy
• A clear and confident communicator in writing and in the room
• Someone who asks the right questions, challenges where it matters and knows when to escalate
• Ambitious, driven and looking to develop within a growing business
WHAT WE OFFER
• A high quality pipeline of commercial workplace projects across London, the South West and the UK
• A collaborative, high performance team that takes its work seriously
• Clear progression within a growing and ambitious business
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience