Mechanical MEP Pre-Construction Lead in Life Sciences

Unispace Life Sciences

Greater London

On-site

GBP 70,000 - 110,000

Full time

14 days+

Application generator

Stand out for this role — generate a tailored resume and cover letter in about a minute.

Get past ATS filters

Job summary

Unispace Life Sciences is seeking a seasoned MEP Pre-Construction Manager – Mechanical to lead technical development of mechanical packages from opportunity review to contract handover. You will collaborate with Technical Commercial Managers, estimators, designers, contractors and delivery teams to deliver buildable, compliant and commercially robust solutions for life sciences facilities.

You will play a key role in shaping bid strategies, risk reviews and pre-construction deliverables while

Qualifications

Strong mechanical building services background with fit-out, refurbishment or life-science project experience preferred.
Ability to read, challenge and mark up drawings, specifications, employer requirements, contractor proposals, calculations, schedules and technical submittals.
Commercial awareness and ability to translate technical risk into scope, pricing, assumptions, exclusions and tender qualifications.
Strong working knowledge of UK building regulations, statutory compliance, industry standards and discipline‑specific best practice.
Confident communicator with consultants, subcontractors, clients, estimators, quantity surveyors, preconstruction and construction teams.
High standard of written technical communication, document control, version management and audit trail discipline.
Proficient with Microsoft 365 and SharePoint; Autodesk Forma training will be provided. Power BI or structured reporting beneficial.
Full, clean UK driving licence and own vehicle.

Responsibilities

Provide discipline-specific leadership across mechanical MEP packages while maintaining awareness of the full coordinated MEP strategy.
Review designs, drawings, schedules, specifications and employer requirements for technical correctness, statutory compliance and buildability.
Identify technical risks, scope gaps, assumptions and exclusions early enough to influence tender, pricing and contractual position.
Lead the review and development of the MEP strategy during bid, feasibility, design development and contractor engagement stages.
Support Technical Commercial Managers and estimators with technical interpretation, tender queries, contractor qualifications and pricing risk review.
Review HVAC strategy, heat gains and losses, ventilation rates, plant location, controls strategy, public health, drainage and domestic services.
Review LEV, fume cupboards, specialist gases, gas detection, sprinkler interfaces, humidification/dehumidification and laboratory resilience requirements.
Attend early surveys and client briefings to understand existing services, building constraints, operational requirements and project risks.
Capture discipline-specific survey records suitable for design development, scope production and tender clarification.
Work with appointed contractors to progress technical design development and close outstanding tender qualifications before contract.
Review drawing updates, technical submittals, design calculations and contractor schedules with detailed scrutiny before acceptance.
Update MEP scope documents, assumptions, exclusions and employer requirement mark-ups as the design evolves.
Produce a concise pre-contract handover pack covering design intent, contractor appointments, risks, IRS status, outstanding design actions and long-lead technical items.