Growth & Pre-Construction Manager

UNITA; Fremantle; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Unita is seeking a Growth & Pre-Construction Manager to lead opportunities with clients, consultants and partners, shaping them from early conversations through to construction. You’ll work with internal teams to ensure opportunities align with our growth strategy and are commercially viable, technically sound and positioned for delivery.

This relationship-led role focuses on building long-term partnerships, maintaining a disciplined pipeline, shaping early contractor involvement and design &

Qualifications

• Experience managing opportunities from initial engagement through to project commencement.
• Strong understanding of commercial construction, interior fitout or design & construct delivery models.
• Experience working directly with clients, architects, designers and consultants.
• Commercial awareness across revenue, margin and risk management.
• Confidence interpreting drawings, specifications and technical documentation.
• Experience using CRM and project management systems.
• A current driver’s licence (mandatory).

Responsibilities

• Build and execute a business unit growth plan aligned with sector strategy and financial targets.
• Develop genuine, long-term relationships with clients, landlords, architects, designers, consultants and other key industry partners.
• Maintain a visible, disciplined pipeline and qualify opportunities for strategic fit, commercial viability and delivery alignment.
• Engage early to shape early contractor involvement (ECI) and design & construct (D&C) opportunities before formal tender or procurement.
• Partner with the GM, Estimation and Delivery teams to define scope, identify risk and agree the right project strategy.
• Coordinate designers, consultants and approvals pathways from concept through to construction readiness.
• Identify and resolve buildability, programme, approval and documentation risks before they become delivery issues.
• Provide commercially balanced recommendations that consider the client outcome, margin, risk and delivery success.
• Lead structured handovers so Delivery receives clear scope, coordinated information, agreed assumptions and minimal unresolved issues.

Skills

Relationship building

Strategic planning

Opportunity development

Pre-construction

Commercial acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

Tools

CRM software

Project management systems

MS Excel

Job description

At Unita, we build spaces where people love to work, dine, stay and connect – from high-end hospitality and health & wellness spaces to complex commercial fitouts across Australia. But great spaces don’t build themselves. Great teams do.

People have always been at the heart of what we do. From humble beginnings to national expansion our ambition has never outweighed our values. We’re fuelled by a shared passion to build better together and our clients and partners are at the forefront of that mantra.

We’re looking for a Growth & Pre-Construction Manager to join our team and play a key role in the continued growth of our business.

The role

This is a relationship-led role focused on building genuine long-term partnerships with clients, consultants and industry partners while identifying the right opportunities and helping shape them from the earliest conversations through to construction.

You’ll work closely with our clients and internal teams to ensure opportunities align with our sector and growth strategy and are commercially viable, technically sound and positioned for successful delivery.

Ultimately it’s about creating the right opportunities with the right people and turning strong relationships into great projects. The end goal is achieving stronger project outcomes and setting the Delivery team up for overall project success.

What you’ll be responsible for

• Build and execute a business unit growth plan aligned with sector strategy and financial targets
• Develop genuine, long-term relationships with clients, landlords, architects, designers, consultants and other key industry partners
• Maintain a visible, disciplined pipeline and qualify opportunities for strategic fit, commercial viability and delivery alignment
• Engage early to shape early contractor involvement (ECI) and design & construct (D&C) opportunities before formal tender or procurement
• Partner with the GM, Estimation and Delivery teams to define scope, identify risk and agree the right project strategy
• Coordinate designers, consultants and approvals pathways from concept through to construction readiness
• Identify and resolve buildability, programme, approval and documentation risks before they become delivery issues
• Provide commercially balanced recommendations that consider the client outcome, margin, risk and delivery success
• Lead structured handovers so Delivery receives clear scope, coordinated information, agreed assumptions and minimal unresolved issues

What great looks like

• The pipeline is visible, intentional and focused on opportunities that align with Unita's growth targets and sector strategy
• Clients and industry partners see Unita as a trusted, value-adding partner rather than simply a tender participant
• Pursuit decisions are selective and commercially grounded, with quality opportunities converting at a strong rate
• ECI and D&C opportunities are shaped early enough to improve win rates, commercial outcomes and delivery success
• Design, approvals, buildability, programme and key risks are resolved to the right level before handover
• Delivery receives complete, coordinated projects and can mobilise with clarity and confidence
• Revenue targets are achieved through disciplined activity, consistent follow-through and strong conversion

Who this role suits

You’re likely a relationship-driven commercial operator who enjoys both sides of the role: creating opportunities in the market and getting into the detail required to turn them into successful projects.

You build trust through credibility, structure and follow-through, and you are comfortable moving between client conversations, commercial decisions and technical pre-construction challenges. You're:

• Growth-minded and proactive - you create opportunities through initiative, visibility and strong relationships
• Commercially astute - you can balance revenue, margin, risk, client outcomes and delivery success
• A genuine relationship builder - you invest in long-term partnerships, not just individual opportunities
• Structured and accountable - you set priorities, maintain momentum and follow through on commitments
• Technically capable - you understand design, approvals, buildability and project delivery principles
• Collaborative and influential - you align clients, consultants and internal teams around a clear path forward
• Naturally aligned to the Unita Way – you take responsibility, work well with others, and look for better ways of doing things

Experience we’re looking for

• A demonstrated ability to manage opportunities from initial engagement through to project commencement
• A strong understanding of commercial construction, interior fitout or design & construct delivery models
• Experience working directly with clients, architects, designers and consultants
• Commercial awareness across revenue, margin and risk management
• Confidence interpreting drawings, specifications and technical documentation
• Experience using CRM and project management systems
• A current driver’s licence (mandatory)

At Unita, every team member shapes our culture in their own unique way. We value different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences, and we’re committed to creating a workplace where people feel safe, respected and able to do their best work. If this role excites you but you don’t tick every box, we still welcome your application.