Pre Construction Project Manager / Planner

Eric Wright Group; Preston; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading civil engineering firm in Preston is seeking an experienced Pre Construction Project Manager/Planner to enhance tender planning and programming activities. You will create competitive tender stage programmes and collaborate closely with teams to ensure project success. Ideal candidates will have over 5 years in a civil engineering environment, strong communication skills, and relevant qualifications. The role offers a competitive salary, benefits, and opportunities for personal development.

Benefits

Company car or car allowance

Enhanced annual leave starting at 26 Days

Pension contribution of 6.5%

BUPA health insurance option

Onsite gym access

Hybrid working options

Qualifications

• Experience as a Civils Project Manager/Planner with over 5 years in civil engineering.
• Knowledge of highway, structure, and public realm projects.
• Understanding of NEC3/4 Contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of tender planning activities.
• Produce optimized tender stage programmes.
• Define work Breakdown Structure and Cost Breakdown Structure.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Leadership

Attention to detail

Education

Degree or HND in relevant field

Tools

ASTA Powerproject

Primvera P6

Microsoft Project

Job description

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Pre Construction Project Manager / Planner, Preston

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Client:

Eric Wright Group

Location:

Preston, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

8756ea68d309

Job Views:

10

Posted:

12.08.2025

Expiry Date:

26.09.2025

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Job Description:

Role overview

The Eric Wright Group has a fantastic history. From our beginnings in construction to an award winning group of companies, our reputation is built on our Chairman's founding principles of a company that must be profitable, ethical and farsighted, as a result we have people, community and social value at our heart.

As a multi award winning UK leader in civil engineering for over 25 years, Eric Wright Civil Engineering has delivered essential infrastructure projects from roads, bridges, and hydropower schemes to rail and structural works. We work across a wide spectrum of public and private sector clients, always upholding our commitment to quality, professionalism, safety, and integrity. Our award-winning team collaborates closely with partners to deliver innovative, cost effective solutions that consistently meet or exceed expectations on time, on budget, and to the highest standards. Our long standing client relationships speak volumes about our expertise, innovation, and exceptional delivery.

We don’t just deliver projects, we create award-winning legacies. From complex transport infrastructure and environmental improvements to cutting edge developments our projects reflect our commitment to excellence and innovation.

The role

We have an exciting opportunity for an experiencedPre Construction Project Manager/Planner to join our established team based in Bamber Bridge, Preston. You will lead the development and undertaking of the tender planning / programming activity within the pre-construction team to enhance our ability to secure works and to establish project controls and internal reporting from the tender stage. Ensuring tender stage project delivery programmes are fully developed and contractually compliant. You will produce programmes which are optimised in terms of resources and risk and opportunity, to ensure we submit our best value and optimised tender. The role will involve close liaison with Preconstruction & Project Teams, plus occasional liaison with our Client and Supply Chain as necessary. We have an exceptional pipeline with recent projects consisting of road schemes, bridge works, public realm, reservoirs and general civil engineering schemes based predominantly in the North West with a value from £1m to £30m.

What you’ll be doing:

Analyse Tender documents and identify required programme/planning responses and information which will inform the methodology and programme.

Develop methodology approach to project and provide guidance to the bid team.

Produce tender stage programmes working alongside the estimators, with a focus on ensuring we submit our most competitive offer.

Create phasing plans and logistics plans, to visually explain to the internal team and client, the proposed methodology.

Define alongside the wider bid team a work Breakdown Structure/Cost Breakdown Structure, which aligns with internal best practice and client’s requirements.

Programmes are to be NEC compliant and include TRA, Float, Resources and associated Histograms, Critical Path, Costs (when applicable), etc.

Present tender programme to team of Directors.

Develop winning work program strategies for tenders, considering risks and opportunities and input into R&O register.

Produce high scoring, written quality responses and narratives, which accompany tender programmes.

Contribute to discussion on the optimal phasing, approach and methodology of works on site.

Align tender programmes to current operational programme requirements and incorporate feedback from operation teams into future tenders.

Review tender programmes produced by other members of the Preconstruction Team.

Review post-tender performance of tenders with the Preconstruction Team and incorporate lessons learned.

About You

Reporting to the Pre-Construction Director, this is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced civil engineering Planner, Project Manager or Contracts Manager looking to move into pre-construction and play a key role in shaping major infrastructure projects. You'll bring proven experience across sectors such as highways, water, and public realm, along with strong communication, organisation, leadership, and attention to detail. Ambitious and customer focused, you take pride in your work and thrive in a collaborative environment where your input directly influences project success from the earliest stages.

Ideally you’ll have:

Appropriate industry qualification, e.g. Degree or HND.

Industry background and experience working as a Civils Project Manager/Planner – ideally in excess of 5 years experience in a civil engineering environment, with demonstrable experience in a preconstruction/tendering team.

Knowledge of highway & structure and public realm types projects is mandatory and preferable is experience in industrial, energy, clean/waste water and waste type projects.

Appropriate IT skills including the use of company software packages. (ASTA Powerproject mandatory, Primvera P6 and Microsoft Project preferred)

Understanding and appreciation of the requirements on NEC3 / 4 Contracts and the importance of programme to management of the project as a whole, including timescales for action.

Civil engineering and construction method knowledge, with the ability to research and appraise viability of alternatives.

Solid understanding of the design process, procurement routes and processes.

Clear, concise oral and written communications, internally and externally.

Ability to quickly digest information with attention to detail.

Ability to motivate and influence people.

Time management skills and ability to work to deadlines.

In return we offer

Competitive Salary

Company Car / car allowance scheme -we are working towards 100% hybrid / electric vehicles.

Enhanced annual leavestarting at 26 Days + bank holidays rising with service

Learning and development - we offer a range of learning opportunities to develop talent at all levels within our business focussing on technical competence, upskilling, compliance and governance and career development.

Pension— 6.5% employer contribution of your salary into your pension to help you save for the future

BUPA- optional scheme and can include your family to the scheme (50% contribution)

Company sick pay scheme - Up to 20 days full pay in a rolling 12 month period

Group Income Protection – 50% of your salary covered for 3 years for long term illness

Enhanced Paid Family Leave - maternity, paternity, adoption, fertility, compassion, bereavement, crisis, emergency dependants, and much more

Hybrid working - manage your own diary, working in the office, at home or out with clients

Onsite gym – we have a gym on site at Head Office which is free to use

Company Doctor – for when you can’t get to see your own or if you have any health concerns

Virtual GP - 24/7 access for when you need to speak to a GP

EAP – Employee Assistance Programme through Health Assured, supporting you and your family with advice, guidance and counselling on a variety of areas such as health, fitness, home life, finances and much more.

Mental Health support – through the Thrive app, approved by the NHS, provides tools, to tackle, prevent and manage common stressors such as sleep, bereavement, work issues etc. Also provides relaxation, breathing and meditation techniques and measures impact.

Savings scheme – Put aside an affordable amount for a rainy day in the future

Recognition awards – awards for long service and special birthdays

A comprehensive health and wellbeing strategy focussed on physical, emotional, financial and career wellbeing

Our Ethos

Working at the Eric Wright Group of companies is truly special. Owned 100% by the Eric Wright Charitable Trust, we are a commercially focused business with a social purpose, which means that after reinvestment in the business, our profit is donated to charity via the Trust. This ownership structure provides a high level of stability for the Group and supports longer-term commercial and charitable strategies. Our reputation is built on our Chairman's founding principles of a company that must be profitable, ethical and farsighted, as a result we have people, community and social value at our heart. The companies across the Group regularly collaborate to deliver outstanding results on bespoke projects for both public and private sector clients.

We are extremely proud of our dedicated, passionate and friendly colleagues who live our values and work hard to make a difference in communities every day.

The Eric Wright Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its employees, contractors and clients and expects its people to share this commitment. Successful applicants may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check or Disclosure Scotland check and to provide proof of their right to work in the UK. We are committed to equal opportunities, inclusion and fairness across all employment opportunities and service delivery. All managers and employees are expected to promote our values to ensure our workplaces and services are inclusive and accessible.

Department EWCE Contract type Full time Hours 40 Salary Competitive with excellent benefits Benefits Competitive