Pre-Construction Manager – Cambridge
Fairmead is proud to be working in partnership with one of East Anglia’s most well-respected and fastest-growing main contractors to appoint a Pre-Construction Manager with a strong background in hands-on estimating. This is a standout opportunity to take ownership of the pre-construction and tendering function within a business renowned for delivering exceptional projects across commercial, education, residential, and healthcare sectors.
With a growing portfolio of new build and fit out/refurbishment schemes – typically valued between £5–10 million – this contractor has continued to secure landmark developments, including prestigious university and heritage buildings in and around Cambridge. As they enter their next phase of strategic growth, they are seeking a commercially astute and technically capable Pre-Construction Manager to lead this critical front-end function.
What’s on Offer
* Salary up to £90,000 – highly competitive for the right candidate
* Full package including car or car allowance, private medical, pension scheme, and holiday entitlement
* Autonomy to lead the full pre-construction process, from early-stage involvement through to tender submission
* Opportunity to make your mark within a stable, family-run, forward-thinking contractor
The Company
This Cambridge-based family-owned business has carved out a strong name across East Anglia, delivering a variety of projects with precision, care, and commercial control. Their continued success stems from long-term client relationships, repeat business, and a strong in-house culture of quality and delivery.
The company prides itself on a collaborative and professional team culture, offering senior professionals the tools and space to drive their department forward. As part of a growing senior leadership team, this role presents an opportunity to shape how tenders are approached, improve pre-construction efficiency, and contribute to wider strategic goals.
The Role
As Pre-Construction Manager, your role will straddle estimating and wider pre-construction leadership – ideal for someone who still enjoys pricing tenders but wants to step into a more senior, strategic post.
* Lead the end-to-end tendering and pre-construction process across new build and refurbishment schemes
* Conduct hands-on estimating for projects, ensuring robust and competitive bids
* Review drawings, specifications, and contract documents to identify risk and commercial opportunities
* Oversee design coordination, buildability, and value engineering during the pre-construction phase
* Manage and grow relationships with subcontractors and suppliers
* Liaise with the operations and commercial teams to ensure a seamless handover post-award
* Mentor and develop junior estimators and support staff
* Report to the Board and influence pricing strategy and pipeline planning
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a seasoned estimator or pre-construction professional with hands-on experience of pricing work, but who is now ready to take that next step into a senior leadership role.
* Background in main contracting, ideally across education, healthcare, commercial, and residential
* Proven ability to price projects in the £5–10m range, both new build and refurb
* Strong knowledge of design management, value engineering, and procurement strategy
* Excellent stakeholder communication, from internal teams to clients and consultants
* Confident in managing tender programmes, pre-start meetings, and bid submissions
* Able to guide, mentor, and develop junior team members
* Commercially driven and committed to delivering high-quality work under pressure
Why Join?
This is more than an estimating role – it’s a strategic position where your voice and decisions will shape the front end of project delivery. You’ll work alongside a loyal leadership team, with full support to develop your department, your team, and your own career.
You’ll enjoy working on some of the most interesting projects in the region, with a company that values long-term relationships, quality delivery, and professional development.
How to Apply
This is an immediate opportunity for the right candidate. If you’re a Senior Estimator or Pre-Construction Manager ready for a career-defining move with a respected Cambridge-based contractor, apply now or contact Fairmead for a confidential discussion