Preconstruction Manager

Fawkes & Reece Group; Newport; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life assurance

Company pension

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Extensive training programmes

Cycle-to-work scheme

Free on-site parking

Job summary

Fawkes & Reece Group is recruiting a Design and Preconstruction Project Manager / Senior Project Manager to lead civils and water sector projects in Wales and the surrounding region. The role covers design review, preconstruction planning, and contract management on multi‑million-pound schemes.

You will manage client and subcontractor relationships, optimise programme and budget, and guide the team across BIM, NEC contracts, and risk reviews.

Qualifications

• Industry qualification (HND/HNC/BEng or NVQ Level 6+) and SMSTS; CSCS card required.
• Eligible to live and work in the UK; valid UK driving licence and willingness to travel.
• First Aid at Work desirable but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Review and challenge technical designs to improve constructability and efficiency on multi‑million-pound projects.
• Develop innovative engineering solutions and direct technical assessments and calculations.
• Manage client relationships, programmes, budgets, risks and deliverables in regular progress meetings.
• Administer contract changes and variations in line with NEC contracts and governance.
• Support tendering and bid processes; evaluate contractor submissions against criteria.
• Lead design and construction teams, ensuring safety, quality and compliance.
• Produce RFIs and technical queries, coordinating client, contractor and design teams.
• Oversee procurement schedules and on-site quality, environment and safety assessments.

Skills

Design management

Preconstruction

Project management

NEC3/NEC4 experience

BIM

Stakeholder engagement

Education

HND/HNC/BEng

NVQ Level 6+

SMSTS qualification

CSCS card

First Aid at Work (desirable)

Job description

Reference: AW-002_1792606147
Posted: October 21, 2026

My client is an established, Leading, National Civil Engineering Contractor.

They have been awarded a position on the prestigious Welsh Water Framework which will ensure work in this region for the next 5+ years.

Due to planned growth and an influx of work in their Southwestern Region, they are looking to appoint, on a permanent or long-term contract basis a Design and Preconstruction Project Manager / Senior Project Manager to work on Civils and water sector projects in the region.

The company are presently delivering projects in Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and Worcester.

The nature of the work is civils in nature and could comprise:

• Groundworks
• RC Works
• Attenuation tanks
• Piling & Foundations
• Deep excavations
• And much more

Key Responsibilities

Review and challenged technical designs within BIM 360, improving efficiency and constructability across multi-million-pound projects in Wales.

Develop innovative engineering solutions.

Direct technical assessments and calculations, ensuring design changes enhanced performance, sustainability and compliance.

Managed client relationships through regular progress meetings, ensuring alignment on programme, budget, risks and deliverables.

Administer contract changes and commercial variations in line with contractual obligations and governance requirements.

Supported tendering and bid processes, including evaluation of contractor submissions against defined criteria.

Lead stakeholder engagement across multiple schemes, ensuring effective communication and project buy-in.

Managed project finances, resource allocation and programme performance to maintain delivery against key milestones.

Produce and managed RFIs and technical queries, ensuring clear communication between client, contractor and design teams.

Lead team of designers and construction team.

Extensive NEC3/NEC4/bespoke client contract experience across the full project lifecycle, including preparing and reviewing contract documents, supporting tenders, drafting bespoke clauses, administering early warnings, compensation events, programme submissions, risk reduction meetings and change control.

Create procurement schedules for construction works to ensure that the programme was always adhered to.

Undertake QES (Quality Environment and Safety) assessments on site at different stages of the project.

Procure approved construction suppliers ahead of construction on innovative solutions to ensure delivery could be undertaken where health and safety risks were high.

Propose eight innovative and cost-saving solutions to the Clients on site due to complex underground services network, critical underground structures and Welsh Water minimum safety requirements.

Additional secondary duties

• Management of site staff operatives and sub-contractors.
• Preparing and monitoring programmes of work
• Provide method statements, hazard risk assessments and project management plans.
• Understand tender allowances and monitor contract costs against agreed budgets.
• Assessment and engagement of sub-contractors.
• Understand and administer contract change.
• Inform, consult, and involve local groups as necessary.
• Foster good relations and reputation with clients.
• Promote and ensure all work complies with safety, quality and environmental policies and the requirements of the company procedures.

Already experienced as a Design Manager / Project Manager you will have a relevant industry qualification (HND/ HNC/ BEng) or NVQ Level 6+ , along with an up to date SMSTS qualification, and appropriate CSCS card. A First Aid at Work qualification is desirable.

Experienced in people management and motivation of staff.

A good organiser, both of self and others with the ability to think in advance.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK. Due to the nature of the role a full UK driving license is essential and the successful candidate will be happy to travel throughout the Southern Region. A First Aid at Work qualification would also be desirable.

Benefits Package (For permanent staff)

• Competitive basic salary
• Life assurance cover
• Company pension scheme
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (with an option of buying more holiday)
• Extensive training programmes
• Cycle-to-work scheme and Free on-site parking