Pre-Construction Manager
Infrastructure Division
Location: UK (project-dependent)
Hours: 08:00 – 17:30
Salary: Competitive + package (PAYE or Contract considered)
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced Pre-Construction Manager to lead the end-to-end operational and technical pre-construction process across major infrastructure schemes.
This is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for shaping winning bid strategies, aligning technical delivery with commercial objectives, and ensuring high-quality, compliant and competitive submissions across complex civils projects.
The successful candidate will operate at a senior level, influencing directors, engaging directly with clients and frameworks, and leading multidisciplinary teams to secure work across highways, rail, water, energy and enabling works sectors.
The Role
Reporting to the Commercial Director and Head of Pre-Construction, you will take ownership of allocated infrastructure bids from early client engagement through to tender settlement and post-submission follow-up.
You will be responsible for:
Leading bid/no-bid decisions and strategic bid planning sessions
Managing all operational tender inputs including programme, methodology, BIM, resources and sequencing
Producing and managing detailed tender methodologies
Developing and coordinating tender programmes (including producing programmes where required)
Aligning methodology and programme with pricing, labour outputs and commercial assumptions
Reviewing preliminaries, commercial models and risk allowances
Ensuring full compliance with client specifications, scoring matrices and submission protocols
Supporting value engineering, innovation and alternative technical proposals
Leading internal governance, approvals and risk reviews
Presenting operational and technical tender settlements to Directors
Representing the business at client briefings, forums and industry events
Maintaining ownership of submitted tenders and monitoring progress
You will act as the operational face of the business from pre- to post-tender stage.
Key Responsibilities
Bid & Strategy Leadership
Lead pre-construction across allocated infrastructure bids
Shape winning strategies aligned to client drivers and evaluation criteria
Support pipeline development through early engagement with clients and framework managers
Programme & Technical Integration
Coordinate planning, design management and construction methodology
Ensure clear alignment between programme, price and delivery strategy
Manage multidisciplinary input from estimating, planning, operations and supply chain
Commercial & Risk Oversight
Review commercial models, preliminaries and risk allowances
Challenge assumptions to strengthen bid competitiveness
Maintain governance and assurance throughout the tender lifecycle
Client & Market Engagement
Engage with clients, consultants and stakeholders pre- and during tender
Maintain awareness of competitor positioning and market trends
Contribute to business development and strategic growth
About You
You will bring:
A minimum of 8 years’ experience within pre-construction and/or senior operational or commercial roles in civils or infrastructure
A proven track record of leading and winning major infrastructure bids
Strong knowledge of estimating, planning, design coordination and bid writing
Excellent understanding of infrastructure construction methodologies
Solid commercial acumen and risk management capability
Experience working under NEC3/NEC4 (JCT and bespoke forms advantageous)
Strong presentation, communication and influencing skills
Confidence managing senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams
Experience across major infrastructure frameworks (e.g. rail, highways, water, public sector programmes) is highly desirable.
Qualifications
Essential:
Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or related discipline
Significant infrastructure pre-construction experience
Desirable:
Chartered status (MCIOB, MICE, RICS)
NEC3/NEC4 contract training
Experience with public sector frameworks
Why Apply?
Exposure to nationally significant infrastructure schemes
Leadership-level influence within a growing division
Varied and complex project portfolio
Strong package and long-term career pathway