Pre Construction Manager

Manpower; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working (3 days in Paddington)

Job summary

Manpower is seeking an experienced Pre-Construction Manager to lead front-end development and feasibility for a portfolio of retail projects. The role covers site acquisition, concept to development, coordinating internal stakeholders, landlords and consultants to ensure commercial viability and robust technical delivery.

You will report to the Head of Feasibility and drive budgets, governance submissions and risk management across multiple projects, ensuring a smooth handover to delivery teams

Qualifications

• Proven experience in pre-construction, development management, project management or construction consultancy.
• Strong knowledge of feasibility, planning, design development and approvals.
• Excellent commercial awareness including cost planning and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical and commercial feasibility assessments for development opportunities.
• Manage projects through concept, definition and development stages with clear plans and milestones.
• Review and negotiate landlord and developer requirements, including lease-related obligations.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary consultant teams (architects, engineers, planners, cost consultants).
• Develop and challenge project budgets, and value engineering opportunities.
• Prepare business cases, governance submissions and project approval documentation.
• Manage project risk registers and mitigation plans across pre-construction.
• Ensure smooth handover to construction delivery teams with defined scope and costs.

Skills

Pre-construction experience

Project management

Stakeholder management

Commercial awareness

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction/Property/Engineering

MRICS / MCIOB / MAPM advantageous

Job description

Location: Paddington, London (Hybrid Working)

Contract: Interim / Contract

IR35 Status: Inside IR35

Working Pattern: Hybrid, with an expectation of 3 days per week in the Paddington office

We are seeking an experienced Pre-Construction Manager to join a leading organisation's Property and Store Development function. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the front-end development and feasibility phases of a diverse portfolio of retail development projects, ensuring opportunities are thoroughly evaluated, costed, approved and prepared for successful delivery.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Feasibility, you will be responsible for managing projects from initial site acquisition and feasibility assessment through concept, definition and development stages, ultimately handing over implementation-ready projects to construction delivery teams.

You will work across new store developments, relocations, extensions and other property opportunities, coordinating internal stakeholders, landlords, developers and consultant teams to ensure projects are commercially viable, technically robust and aligned with strategic business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead technical and commercial feasibility assessments for development opportunities, identifying site constraints, delivery risks and viability considerations.
• Manage projects through concept, definition and development stages, maintaining clear project plans, milestones and critical paths.
• Review and negotiate technical aspects of landlord and developer requirements, including lease-related obligations and shell specifications
• Coordinate multidisciplinary consultant teams, including architects, engineers, planners, cost consultants and specialist advisors
• Develop and challenge project budgets, cost plans and value engineering opportunities
• Prepare business cases, governance submissions and project approval documentation.
• Manage project risk registers and mitigation plans, reducing technical, commercial and programme risks throughout the pre-construction lifecycle.
• Ensure effective handover to construction delivery teams, with all scope, cost, programme and approval requirements clearly defined.

About You

You will bring:

• Proven experience in pre-construction, development management, project management or construction consultancy.
• Strong knowledge of feasibility, planning, design development, statutory approvals and construction delivery processes.
• Excellent commercial awareness, including cost planning, budget management and risk management expertise.
• Experience working with and influencing multiple stakeholders, consultants, developers and landlords.
• Strong communication, negotiation and presentation skills.
• The ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• A degree in Construction, Property, Surveying, Architecture, Engineering or a related discipline. Professional qualifications such as MRICS, MCIOB or MAPM would be advantageous.

What's on Offer?

• Opportunity to work on a high-profile portfolio of development projects.
• Hybrid working arrangement with 3 days per week in the Paddington office.
• Collaborative and dynamic project environment.

If you have a strong background in pre-construction, feasibility and development management and are looking for your next contract opportunity, we would love to hear from you.