Preconstruction Manager

Highfield Professional Solutions Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 71,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

Highfield Professional Solutions Ltd is seeking an experienced Preconstruction Manager to lead the preconstruction phase of a major data centre project in Southern Norway. You will coordinate design, planning, procurement and commercial aspects to ensure the project is fully prepared before construction.

The role requires strong design coordination, scheduling, contractor procurement and risk management, with hybrid work and occasional travel to site in Southern Norway.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Preconstruction Manager or similar role within complex projects.
• Experience delivering large-scale data centre or technical developments.
• Strong understanding of design coordination, construction sequencing and programme management.
• Experience managing General Contractor procurement, tendering and appointment processes.
• Commercial awareness including cost planning and risk assessment.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design Management: oversee design, coordinate consultants and stakeholders to align with requirements, programme and budget.
• Programme & Scheduling: develop preconstruction schedules, monitor milestones and critical path.
• General Contractor Appointment: lead GC procurement, tendering, evaluation and negotiations.
• Procurement: oversee procurement planning and strategy for key packages.
• Site Due Diligence: coordinate site investigations, identify constraints and risks.
• Commercial Oversight: monitor costs, budgets and commercial risks for informed decisions.
• Stakeholder Coordination: align activities across consultants, contractors and internal teams.
• Risk Management: address technical and commercial risks ahead of construction.

Skills

Preconstruction management

Design coordination

Programme management

Procurement & tendering

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or related field

Tools

MS Project

BIM/AutoCAD tools

Job description

Data Centre Development | Southern Norway | Hybrid

We are seeking an experienced Preconstruction Manager to support the development of a major data centre project in Southern Norway.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of the preconstruction phase, coordinating multiple workstreams and helping establish the foundations for successful project delivery. The role will have broad oversight across design, planning, procurement, contractor selection and commercial considerations, working closely with key stakeholders to ensure the project is fully prepared before moving into construction.

The successful candidate will be comfortable operating across both the technical and commercial aspects of a project, bringing together the right people, processes and information to drive progress and manage risk.

Key Responsibilities

• Design Management: Oversee the design process, coordinating consultants and key stakeholders to ensure design deliverables align with project requirements, programme and budget.
• Programme & Scheduling: Develop and oversee preconstruction schedules, monitoring key milestones, dependencies and critical path activities.
• General Contractor Appointment: Lead the process of identifying, assessing and appointing a suitable General Contractor, coordinating tendering, bid evaluations and contractor negotiations.
• Procurement: Oversee procurement planning and strategy, ensuring key packages, suppliers and services are identified and aligned with the overall project programme.
• Site Due Diligence: Coordinate site investigations and due diligence activities, identifying potential constraints, risks and issues that could impact project delivery.
• Commercial Oversight: Maintain a strong overview of project costs, budgets, estimates and commercial risks, supporting informed decision-making throughout preconstruction.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Work collaboratively with consultants, contractors, developers and internal project teams to ensure all preconstruction activities remain aligned.
• Risk Management: Identify and proactively address technical, commercial and programme-related risks ahead of the construction phase.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience in a Preconstruction Manager or similar role within complex construction projects.
• Experience delivering large-scale data centre, mission-critical, industrial or other technically complex developments.
• Strong understanding of design coordination, construction sequencing and programme management.
• Experience managing General Contractor procurement, tendering and appointment processes.
• Commercial awareness, including cost planning, budget management and risk assessment.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple disciplines.
• A proactive, organised approach with the confidence to take ownership of the preconstruction process.

Location & Working Arrangements

The successful candidate can be based in London, Dublin or Amsterdam, working on a hybrid basis with occasional travel to the project site in Southern Norway.

This offers the opportunity to take on a significant project role without the need to relocate permanently.

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for a preconstruction professional to play a key role in shaping a major data centre development, with responsibility spanning the technical, programme, procurement and commercial elements that underpin successful project delivery.