Senior Pre-Construction Lead for Life Sciences Fit-Out

Unispace Life Sciences; Newbury; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Unispace Life Sciences is a leading engineering design and project management firm delivering CAT A and CAT B commercial and laboratory fit-out projects. We seek a Pre‑Construction Manager to lead bids from enquiry to contract award, coordinating estimating, design, services, procurement and consultant input for high‑quality life sciences spaces.

You will own the pre‑contract process, set bid strategy, and manage client relationships, with a focus on commercially sound and well-scoped proposals

Qualifications

• Extensive experience within commercial fit-out / interiors contracting.
• Proven delivery of CAT A and CAT B projects under Design & Build.
• Strong understanding of fit-out construction methodology.
• Strong understanding of MEP coordination and interfaces.
• Knowledge of landlord and base-build constraints.
• Solid working knowledge of JCT Design & Build 2024.
• Experience leading bids typically ranging from £500k to £10m+.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Able to balance commercial rigor with practical delivery reality.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end pre-contract and bid process for CAT A & CAT B fit-out projects.
• Set bid strategy, programme, resourcing and commercial approach.
• Manage and coordinate estimating, design management, services (MEP), procurement and consultant input.
• Review tender documentation, identify risks and opportunities, and produce robust assumptions, exclusions and clarifications.
• Lead value engineering and alternative proposals where appropriate.
• Oversee supply-chain tendering, evaluation and subcontractor selection.
• Coordinate outline programmes, methodology and logistics strategies.
• Act as senior point of contact for clients, PMs, QSs, consultants and landlords.
• Lead tender interviews and presentations.
• Support commercial negotiations and contract finalisation under JCT D&B 2024.
• Ensure a structured handover to project delivery teams.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Pre-construction

Bid management

Interiors contracting

JCT D&B 2024

MEP coordination

Stakeholder management

Client-facing

Education

Degree in Construction

Tools

MS Office

AutoCAD

Job description

Unispace Life Sciences is a leading engineering design and project management firm delivering CAT A and CAT B commercial and laboratory fit-out projects. We seek a Pre‑Construction Manager to lead bids from enquiry to contract award, coordinating estimating, design, services, procurement and consultant input for high‑quality life sciences spaces.

You will own the pre‑contract process, set bid strategy, and manage client relationships, with a focus on commercially sound and well-scoped proposals