Preconstruction & Bid Strategy Director

Willmott Dixon; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Private medical cover

Life assurance

Profit-based bonus

Company car scheme / car allowance

Gym membership

Homeworking allowance

Job summary

Willmott Dixon is seeking a Preconstruction Director for the Construction South region to lead preconstruction with a clear path to profitability, backed by robust commercial strategy and effective resource planning. The role provides independent oversight across bidding and preconstruction activities to ensure commercially sound, well-resourced, and deliverable bids aligned with business objectives.

You will lead teams, drive governance, and balance short-term priorities with long-term growth

Qualifications

• Previous experience leading pre-construction, bidding, estimating, or commercial functions within the construction industry.
• A strong network of customers, consultants and industry contacts.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering sustained growth.
• Experience influencing stakeholders at Board level and beyond.
• A collaborative leadership style focused on collective success.
• Experience across multiple sectors such as education, healthcare, defence, commercial, residential, or infrastructure.
• Experience within a Tier 1 or Tier 2 contractor environment.
• Strong understanding of modern methods of construction, sustainability, social value, and digital construction practices.

Responsibilities

• Ensure every project leaves preconstruction with a clearly defined route to margin.
• Oversee the development of viable pricing strategies, risk allowances, programme assumptions, and commercial plans.
• Ensure all bids are aligned with business objectives and deliver sustainable profitability.
• Drive early identification and mitigation of commercial risks and delivery challenges.
• Monitor performance against agreed pre-construction milestones, ensuring projects progress to programme with no unnecessary slippage.
• Lead the planning and management of pre-construction resources to support current and future business requirements.
• Ensure the business maintains the appropriate level, structure, and capability of resource to meet bidding volumes.
• Identify future capability requirements and implement strategies to attract, develop, and retain talent.
• Ensure teams possess the skills, experience, and capacity required to deliver successful bid outcomes.
• Establish and maintain a robust governance framework for all bids and opportunities.
• Provide independent challenge and oversight throughout the bid lifecycle, from opportunity approval through to submission.
• Provide constructive challenge to senior leadership and Board members through formal reviews and governance meetings.
• Present clear, evidence-based recommendations to support effective decision-making.
• Use commercial insight, performance data, and industry experience to influence business strategy and improve outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial awareness

Preconstruction

Stakeholder management

Team development

Sustainability

Digital construction

Governance

Job description

Willmott Dixon is seeking a Preconstruction Director for the Construction South region to lead preconstruction with a clear path to profitability, backed by robust commercial strategy and effective resource planning. The role provides independent oversight across bidding and preconstruction activities to ensure commercially sound, well-resourced, and deliverable bids aligned with business objectives.

You will lead teams, drive governance, and balance short-term priorities with long-term growth