Preconstruction Manager

Skilled Careers; West Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Skilled Careers is seeking an experienced Pre-Construction Manager for a Tier 1 Main Contractor to lead the pre-construction process across diverse projects with a strong focus on the public sector. You will report to the Pre-Construction Director and take ownership from initial tender opportunity to main contract award.

This role requires proven experience delivering public sector bids, leading multidisciplinary bid teams, and delivering high-quality written content and client presentations.

Qualifications

• Significant experience delivering pre-construction services in the public sector construction market and Main-Contracting experience.
• Proven track record of managing bids from opportunity through to contract award.
• Strong knowledge of two-stage tendering and PCSA processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the pre-construction process from tender enquiry through to contract award.
• Review tender documentation and develop winning bid strategies.
• Coordinate bid submissions and contribute high-quality written content while identifying differentiators.
• Manage bid managers, bid writers and the pre-construction team.
• Develop tender programmes, resource plans, budgets and governance processes.

Skills

Pre-construction

Bid management

Leadership

Public sector bids

Stakeholder management

Tender documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Construction management qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Pre-Construction Manager for a Tier 1 Main Contractor to lead and manage the pre-construction process across a diverse portfolio of construction projects, with a strong focus on the public sector.

Reporting to the Pre-Construction Director, you will take ownership of projects from initial tender opportunity through to main contract award, ensuring a coordinated, commercially robust and client-focused approach throughout the bid lifecycle.

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated individual with proven experience delivering successful public sector bids and leading multidisciplinary teams to secure major construction projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the pre-construction process from tender enquiry through to contract award.
• Review tender documentation and develop winning bid strategies.
• Take full ownership of bid submissions, coordinating, reviewing and contributing high-quality written content while identifying key differentiators.
• Manage and coordinate bid managers, bid writers and the wider pre-construction team.
• Develop tender programmes, resource plans, budgets and governance processes, ensuring milestones are achieved.
• Chair internal and external bid meetings and client engagement sessions.
• Undertake site visits to assess construction constraints and opportunities.
• Build strong relationships with clients, consultants, designers and supply chain partners throughout the bid process.
• Identify and appoint appropriate consultants, designers and specialist subcontractors to support bid development.
• Lead the development of construction methodologies, design solutions and delivery strategies.
• Prepare and deliver presentation material for client interviews and tender presentations.
• Manage second-stage tender and PCSA activities through to contract award, including:
• Development of detailed pre-construction programmes.
• Coordination of design management, commercial activities, procurement, planning and stakeholder engagement.
• Oversight of risk and opportunity management.
• Management of planning and third-party approvals.
• Production of Contractor's Proposals and contract deliverables.
• Leading progress meetings and reporting on pre-construction activities.
• Supporting contract negotiations and documentation.
• Ensuring a seamless handover to the delivery team at project commencement.
• Visit live projects to capture lessons learned and improve future tender submissions.
• Support business development activities by identifying new opportunities and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Contribute to regional and national strategic bids where required.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Significant experience delivering pre-construction services within the public sector construction market & Main-Contracting experience.
• A proven track record of managing bids from initial opportunity through to successful contract award.
• Strong knowledge of two-stage tendering and PCSA processes.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary bid teams across design, planning, commercial and operational functions.
• Excellent understanding of construction methodology, programme development and commercial strategy.
• Experience producing high-quality written tender responses and client presentations.
• Strong client-facing skills with the ability to build lasting relationships and influence stakeholders.
• Experience managing risk and opportunity throughout the bid process.
• Strong project and construction management capability.
• Excellent organisational, analytical and communication skills.
• Confidence to challenge design, programme and construction methodologies to deliver best-value solutions.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Membership of CIOB or an equivalent professional body is desirable.