Pre-Construction Commercial Manager

Wates; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction company is seeking a Pre-Construction Commercial Manager to lead the delivery of commercial services, oversee estimates, and manage a team while ensuring compliance with industry frameworks and KPIs. This role includes significant financial responsibilities, budget management of P&L across divisions, and representation in client meetings. Ideal candidates will possess project management expertise, chartered status, and strong commercial acumen. Join a company committed to reimagining places for people to thrive.

Benefits

Gold Investors in People recognition

Disability Confident employer

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver pre-construction commercial services.
• Oversee estimates, commercial and operational solutions.
• Manage a team and approve tenders.

Skills

Industry and sector expertise

Strong project management

Commercial/legal acumen

Risk management skills

Education

Degree qualified

Chartered status (RICS, CIOB or equivalent)

Job description

🏗️ Pre-Construction Commercial Manager

Location: Finsbury Park (WPS Business)

🎯 Purpose of the Role

To lead and deliver pre‑construction commercial services that support the work‑winning strategy for the business unit. This includes overseeing estimates, commercial and operational solutions, and ensuring compliance with frameworks and KPIs. You’ll also manage a team and approve tenders.

🛠️ Key Responsibilities

• 📊 Develop and report on the operational plan for pre‑contract services.
• 🧠 Create tender strategies including risk, opportunities, CVRs, and cash flows.
• 🤝 Partner with senior stakeholders to align with growth and performance goals.
• 👥 Lead and manage the pre‑contract team to meet tender and quality targets.
• ✅ Ensure compliance with Wates Operating Framework and industry standards.
• 🗣️ Represent Wates in client meetings to influence market direction.
• 🔄 Monitor and adapt BU strategies based on market and bid performance.
• ⚖️ Manage risk in estimation processes and approve tender clarifications.
• 🧾 Attend settlement and strategic meetings.
• 🌍 Sign off commercial proposals related to Social Value.
• 🔍 Review bids to maximise operational solutions.
• 📈 Lead post‑tender reviews for continuous improvement.
• 🚀 Oversee premobilisation training and reviews.
• 🧰 Support project teams and maintain Salesforce data.

🗣️ Communication & Influence

• 📝 Produce clear, action‑oriented reports for senior leaders and forums.
• 🧭 Chair meetings and mediate between differing views.
• 🤝 Gain stakeholder buy‑in across management teams.
• 🧩 Train teams in complex or emerging legal areas.
• 📣 Contribute to WPS CLT meetings and influence tendering strategy.

💷 Financial & People Responsibilities

• 💰 Manage functional expenditure within budget.
• 📊 Oversee pre‑tender P&L across four divisions (up to £1bn annually).
• 👥 Line‑manage and coach team members.
• 🤝 Manage third‑party contributors in the tender process.

🎓 What We’re Looking For

📚 Knowledge

• Industry and sector expertise.
• Strong project management and commercial/legal acumen.
• Up‑to‑date with sector‑specific legislation.
• Skilled in risk management.

🎓 Qualifications

• Degree qualified.
• Chartered status (RICS, CIOB or equivalent).

Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant’s criminal record or the details of any disclosed offences. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre‑employment checks.

To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting

One of the Recruitment Team will then be in contact to discuss the role in more detail and advise of next steps.

Work for Wates

Wates is one of the UK’s leading family‑owned development, building and property maintenance companies. Founded over 125 years ago, we have a proud legacy in the built environment. We are driven by our purpose, ‘reimagining places for people to thrive’ and our three promises:

• Thriving places – working with customers, partners and communities to create places that are more sustainable, inclusive, and full of opportunity.
• Thriving planet – protecting nature and taking action on climate change by collaborating and innovating with our partners.
• Thriving people – creating opportunities and relationships so that everyone who works for and with us feels included, invested in and treated with care.

We are proud to be recognised as Gold Investors in People and as a Disability Confident employer. We also ensure that our recruitment processes do not treat anyone less favourably due to an offending background.