Project Manager (preconstruction)

Willmott Dixon; Dartford; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Willmott Dixon is seeking a Project Manager (Preconstruction) to lead the Southern regional preconstruction bid process from Weybridge, Farnborough or Dartford. The role supports hybrid working (3 days in office, 2 at home) and involves coordinating internal and external partners to deliver robust, profitable bids.

You will manage design and pricing, shape solutions, and guide projects from tender through to signed contracts, collaborating with customers and consultants across Education,

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading preconstruction, bid management or two-stage tender processes.
• Coordinate core preconstruction team to ensure bids are robust and well-coordinated.
• Shape proposals to meet profitability expectations and client requirements.
• Manage design and pricing processes across multiple disciplines.
• Coordinate with customers, consultants and partners to develop clear briefs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preconstruction process from tender to construction contract.
• Coordinate the bid team (planner, estimator, design manager, MEP manager).
• Present schemes to board and ensure alignment with budgets and quality standards.
• Oversee design development and ensure compliance with process requirements.
• Maintain strong communication with senior stakeholders and commercial teams.

Skills

Preconstruction

Bid management

Two-stage tender

Commercial management

Design management

Project management

Multi-disciplinary coordination

Client communication

RICS accreditation advantageous

Job description

Overview We're looking for a Project Manager (Preconstruction) to join our Southern regional team, based in Weybridge, Farnborough or Dartford. We support hybrid working with three days in the office and two days at home each week, depending on team needs. Reporting to a Preconstruction Manager, you'll lead the entire preconstruction bid process, managing internal and external partners to develop high-quality, well-coordinated bids that meet our customer expectations and support profitable project delivery. Working across sectors including Education, Leisure, Health, Blue Light, Defence, Transport and Science and Technology, you'll shape solutions, manage the design and pricing process, and guide projects from tender stage to signed construction contract. Key Responsibilities

Lead the Preconstruction Process

• + Manage the full two-stage and negotiated tender process from successful tender phase through to construction contract.
• + Coordinate the core preconstruction team (Planner, Estimator, Design Manager, MEP Manager) to ensure bids are robust, well-coordinated and aligned to customer priorities.
• + Present schemes to the board, ensuring proposals meet profitability expectations and quality standards.

Drive Quality & Commercial Outcomes

• + Oversee design development during preconstruction, ensuring compliance with design process requirements.
• + Shape solutions and challenge assumptions to ensure bids are competitive, deliverable and aligned with programme and budget expectations.
• + Bring a commercial mindset to all stages, supporting informed decision-making throughout.
• + Work collaboratively with customers, consultants and partners to develop clear briefs and realistic expectations.
• + Navigate challenging conversations around cost, programme or design constraints when required.
• + Maintain strong communication with PCM colleagues, senior operational leaders and commercial managers.
• + Proven experience leading preconstruction, bid management or two-stage tender processes.
• + Strong background in commercial management, design management, project management or a related discipline.
• + Proven ability to coordinate multi-disciplinary teams.
• + Confident communicator with experience handling challenging client conversations.
• + Accreditation with RICS or a Project Management body is advantageous.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading preconstruction, bid management or two-stage tender processes.
• Strong background in commercial management, design management, project management or a related discipline.
• Proven ability to coordinate multi-disciplinary teams.
• Confident communicator with experience handling challenging client conversations.
• Accreditation with RICS or a Project Management body is advantageous.
• + Proven experience leading preconstruction, bid management or two-stage tender processes.
• + Strong background in commercial management, design management, project management or a related discipline.
• + Proven ability to coordinate multi-disciplinary teams.
• + Confident communicator with experience handling challenging client conversations.
• + Accreditation with RICS or a Project Management body is advantageous.