Pre-Construction Manager - Earthworks

MJ Church Contracting; Chippenham; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

MJ Church is seeking an experienced Pre-Construction Manager to lead planning, bidding and early-stage project development. You will shape winning tenders, identify risks, and engage with clients and partners to set up projects for successful delivery.

This role requires strong leadership, commercial awareness and the ability to build lasting relationships within the civil engineering and infrastructure sector.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in pre-construction, bid management, estimating or PM roles.
• Strong understanding of contracts and procurement routes.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and win new business.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the pre-construction process across multiple projects and frameworks.
• Review tender documents and determine bid strategy.
• Coordinate internal teams for compliant tender submissions.
• Develop programmes, methodologies, logistics plans and submissions.
• Ensure bid documentation is accurate and submitted on time.
• Support framework applications, negotiated tenders and two-stage procurement.

Skills

Pre-construction experience

Bid management

Estimating

Project management

Commercial awareness

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering / Construction Management

Professional body membership (ICE, CIOB, RICS)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

MJ Church is a leading civil engineering, earthworks, demolition, remediation, waste management and transport contractor operating across the South West and beyond. With a reputation for delivering complex projects safely, sustainably and efficiently, we pride ourselves on our technical expertise, collaborative approach and commitment to excellence.

We are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Pre-Construction Manager to lead the planning, bidding and early-stage project development process, ensuring projects are successfully secured and positioned for efficient delivery.

Purpose of the Role

The Pre-Construction Manager will lead and coordinate all pre-construction activities, from enquiry and tender stage through to project handover. Working closely with operational, commercial and technical teams, the role is responsible for developing winning tender submissions, identifying risks and opportunities, engaging with clients and stakeholders, and ensuring projects are fully prepared for successful delivery.

The role requires strong leadership, technical expertise, commercial awareness and the ability to build lasting relationships with clients, consultants and supply chain partners.

Key Responsibilities

Tender and Bid Management

• Lead the pre-construction process across multiple projects and frameworks.
• Review tender documentation and determine bid strategy.
• Coordinate internal teams to prepare competitive and compliant tender submissions.
• Manage the production of programmes, methodologies, logistics plans and technical submissions.
• Ensure all bid documentation is completed accurately and submitted within deadlines.
• Support framework applications, negotiated tenders and two-stage procurement opportunities.

Commercial and Risk Management

• Identify project risks, opportunities and key commercial drivers.
• Work closely with estimating and commercial teams to develop robust pricing strategies.
• Review contracts and tender conditions, highlighting commercial and operational risks.
• Ensure project budgets, preliminaries and resource requirements are accurately assessed.
• Contribute to value engineering and cost-saving initiatives.

Client and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective clients.
• Attend client meetings, site visits and tender interviews.
• Represent MJ Church professionally within the construction and infrastructure sector.
• Work collaboratively with consultants, designers, regulatory authorities and subcontractors.

Technical and Operational Planning

• Coordinate input from engineering, environmental, health and safety and operational teams.
• Lead project feasibility reviews and constructability assessments.
• Develop delivery strategies that maximise operational efficiency and profitability.
• Ensure sustainability, environmental and compliance considerations fully incorporated into proposals.
• Support early contractor involvement (ECI) and collaborative project development opportunities.

Project Handover

• Ensure comprehensive handover of awarded projects to operational teams.
• Prepare and communicate key project information, risks, assumptions and commitments.
• Support mobilisation activities and maintain involvement during project start-up as required.

Leadership and Continuous Improvement

• Mentor and support estimators, planners and pre-construction team members.
• Promote best practice across bidding and project planning activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes and win rates.
• Contribute to strategic business development initiatives and market growth.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Significant experience in a pre-construction, bid management, estimating or project management role within civil engineering, infrastructure, demolition or earthworks.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts and procurement routes.
• Proven ability to manage complex tender processes and secure new business opportunities.
• Excellent commercial awareness and analytical skills.
• Strong knowledge of project planning, methodologies and risk management.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing stakeholder relationships.
• Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Full UK driving licence
• Degree or equivalent qualification in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline.
• Membership of a relevant professional body (ICE, CIOB, RICS or equivalent).
• Experience working on highways, infrastructure, earthworks, demolition or remediation projects.
• Knowledge of NEC and ICC contracts.
• Experience with framework agreements and public sector procurement.

Personal Attributes

• Commercially minded and results driven.
• Strong leadership and decision-making capability.
• Collaborative and relationship focused.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
• Proactive and solution oriented.
• Able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Committed to MJ Church's values of safety, quality, integrity and sustainability.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Opportunity to work on major infrastructure and construction projects.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment within a growing business.

MJ Church is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.