Pre-Construction Operations Manager

United Infrastructure Ltd; Dartford; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Career progression

Collaborative working environment

Job summary

United Infrastructure Ltd is seeking a seasoned Pre-Construction Operations Manager (PCOM) to lead the pre-construction function across complex cladding remediation projects. The role drives governance, standards and operational excellence while empowering PCMs for day-to-day coordination.

You will shape design management practices, challenge risk, and ensure alignment between programme, commercial and technical delivery within a high-value portfolio.

Qualifications

• Senior pre-construction or operational leadership experience.
• Strong background in cladding remediation and façade systems.
• Deep understanding of design management (RIBA stages 2–4) and PCSA frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Establish pre-construction standards, processes and governance across projects.
• Oversight of programme integrity, risk management and design/commercial alignment.
• Lead technical risk reviews and ensure regulatory compliance and audit readiness.

Skills

Leadership

Cladding remediation

Design management

Regulatory compliance

Job description

United Infrastructure is a dynamic and rapidly expanding business, focused on delivering critical infrastructure projects, across the utility and social infrastructure sectors.

Our team of highly skilled and hardworking specialists deliver innovative solutions to the complex challenges our clients face.

Our company is split into two business areas:

Utility Infrastructure –

Our team of Utility Infrastructure specialists design, build and maintain critical water, energy (gas), power and telecoms infrastructure, for the UK’s largest network owners and operators.

Social Infrastructure

Our team of Social Infrastructure specialists revitalise homes and communities by carrying out a wide range of work, from retrofit to refurbishment, and maintenance.

Equal Opportunities Statement - At United Infrastructure, we are committed to making every interaction a positive and inclusive experience. If there is anything we can do to support you, remove barriers, or make the process more accessible, please let us know — we want this to be the best possible experience for you.

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Pre-Construction Operations Manager (PCOM) to lead and oversee our pre-construction function across a portfolio of complex cladding remediation projects.

This is a senior leadership role responsible for driving consistency, governance, technical assurance, and operational excellence across multiple PCSAs. You will shape standards, challenge risk and design decisions, and ensure alignment between programme, commercial, and technical delivery—while empowering Pre-Construction Managers (PCMs) to successfully manage day-to-day coordination.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Establish and maintain pre-construction standards, processes, and governance frameworks across all projects
• Provide oversight of programme integrity, risk management, and design/commercial alignment
• Drive consistency, performance, and continuous improvement across the portfolio
• Lead escalation of critical issues and unblock cross-functional challenges

Programme & PCSA Oversight

• Approve and challenge all PCSA programmes, sequencing, and critical path logic
• Monitor progress across all schemes, proactively addressing risks and delays
• Ensure consistency in reporting, tracking, and coordination practices

Technical & Design Assurance

• Set the technical assurance strategy across façade, structural, and fire disciplines
• Oversee scope definition, ensuring solutions are compliant, buildable, and commercially viable
• Lead senior design reviews, challenge assumptions, and manage technical risk
• Ensure adherence to PAS/BS standards and corporate governance

Regulatory & Compliance Leadership

• Oversee Building Regulations, HRB Gateway processes, and statutory compliance
• Ensure all projects maintain auditable documentation and are inspection-ready
• Escalate compliance risks and align with SHEQ and Building Safety leadership

Surveys, Access & H&S Oversight

• Approve survey strategies, methodologies, and intrusion levels
• Set standards for access planning and temporary works integration
• Maintain oversight of CDM, H&S, and Building Safety Act requirements
• Lead high-risk safety-in-design reviews

Commercial & Supply Chain Integration

• Oversee procurement strategy and commercial governance across projects
• Build and maintain key supply chain relationships, ensuring capability and compliance
• Support value engineering and cost validation activities

Information Management & Quality

• Own the Golden Thread strategy and ensure structured, compliant information management
• Conduct audits on documentation, traceability, and QA processes
• Approve pre-construction deliverables prior to handover

Stakeholder & Client Engagement

• Set standards for resident and stakeholder engagement
• Support and attend high-risk or sensitive client/resident meetings
• Ensure consistent, accurate communication aligned to project strategy

Handover to Delivery

• Approve pre-start readiness and ensure projects are fully mobilised for delivery
• Validate programme, risk, procurement, and design readiness
• Drive lessons learned and continuous improvement

Leadership & Management Responsibilities

• Line management, development, and performance of PCMs and coordinators
• Resource planning and workload balancing across the portfolio
• Recruitment, onboarding, and capability development
• Executive reporting to the Head of Pre-Construction

About You

• Proven experience in a senior pre-construction or operational leadership role
• Strong background in cladding remediation, façade systems, and complex programmes
• Deep understanding of design management (RIBA stages 2–4), PCSA frameworks, and regulatory compliance
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills
• Ability to challenge constructively and drive high-performance outcomes

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and package
• Opportunity to lead across high-value, complex projects
• Senior leadership exposure and career progression
• A collaborative and forward-thinking working environment