Job Title: Pre-Construction Commercial Manager
Sector: Structures & Buildings
Reports To: Operations Director
Location: Midlands (hybrid working 1 day at home, 4 in office/site)
Role Overview
The Pre-Construction Commercial Manager is responsible for leading and managing all commercial and estimating activities from initial sales enquiry through to tender submission. The role ensures commercially competitive, technically compliant, and risk-assessed bid submissions aligned with company strategy and margin targets. This position bridges sales, estimating, technical, and operational teams to develop robust, profitable, and well-structured bids within the structures and building sector.
Key Responsibilities
Sales Enquiry & Opportunity Assessment
* Review and assess incoming sales enquiries and PQQs.
* Undertake initial commercial and contractual risk reviews.
* Support bid/no-bid decision process with senior management.
* Engage with clients, consultants, and supply chain during early stages.
* Contribute to pre-construction strategy and win plans.
Pre-Construction Commercial Management
* Lead the commercial elements of pre-construction activities.
* Develop and manage tender budgets and cost plans.
* Identify key commercial risks and mitigation strategies.
* Review contract conditions (JCT, NEC, bespoke forms, etc.).
* Provide advice on procurement strategies and packaging of works.
Estimating
* Oversee and/or prepare detailed cost estimates.
* Interpret drawings, specifications, and technical documents.
* Prepare take-offs and Bills of Quantities (where required).
* Obtain and evaluate subcontractor and supplier quotations.
* Benchmark costs against historical data and market rates.
* Ensure allowances, preliminaries, overheads, and margins are correctly applied.
* Value engineering and cost optimisation input.
Tendering & Bid Submission
* Coordinate commercial inputs into tender submissions.
* Prepare pricing documents and ensure compliance with tender requirements.
* Lead tender adjudication meetings.
* Finalize commercial submissions, clarifications, and qualifications.
* Support post-tender negotiations and client meetings.
* Assist in contract award and handover to delivery teams.
Risk & Governance
* Maintain a tender risk register.
* Conduct sensitivity analysis and margin reviews.
* Ensure compliance with internal governance and approval procedures.
* Monitor market conditions and cost trends.
Stakeholder & Team Management
* Work closely with Sales & Business Development.
* Technical/Design Teams.
* Operations/Project Managers.
* Procurement Teams.
* Manage and mentor estimators (if applicable).
* Develop strong relationships with key subcontractors and suppliers.
Key Skills & Competencies
* Strong commercial acumen and financial awareness.
* Advanced estimating and cost planning expertise.
* Knowledge of structures and building construction methodologies.
* Excellent understanding of construction contracts (NEC, JCT, etc.).
* Risk identification and mitigation capability.
* Strong negotiation and communication skills.
* Ability to work under pressure to tight bid deadlines.
* Strategic thinking with attention to detail.
Qualifications & Experience
* Degree or HNC/HND in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, or related field.
* 8+ years' experience in commercial/estimating roles within structures and building.
* Proven experience leading tenders from enquiry to submission.
* Experience in structural steel, concrete, civils, or building packages (as relevant).
* Membership of RICS (preferred but not essential).
* Experience working within Sports stadia / the leisure market would be an advantage.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
* Bid success rate (% win ratio).
* Margin achievement vs target.
* Accuracy of cost estimates vs final contract value.
* Quality and compliance of tender submissions.
* Risk management effectiveness.
* Timely submission of bids.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
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