Job Description:

Pre-Construction Director

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced Pre-Construction Director to join a respected construction business renowned for delivering complex, high-quality projects across multiple sectors.
This strategic leadership role will drive the entire pre-construction function, overseeing bid management, estimating, design coordination, programme development, risk management and client engagement.
The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in securing future workload, shaping project delivery strategies and leading a high-performing team through all pre-construction activities.

The Opportunity
This is an executive-level position suited to an ambitious and commercially astute construction professional with a proven track record of winning and delivering complex projects.
Working closely with the board and operational leadership team, you will lead the pre-construction strategy, improve tender success rates and ensure projects are positioned for successful delivery before entering the construction phase.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership

• Lead and develop the pre-construction function across the business.
• Define and implement pre-construction strategy and best practice.
• Drive business growth through successful tendering and client engagement.
• Work closely with senior leadership to identify new opportunities and market sectors.
• Contribute to overall business planning and operational strategy.

Bid & Tender Management

• Oversee all PQQ, framework and tender submissions.
• Lead competitive and negotiated tender processes.
• Review and approve tender strategies, pricing submissions and commercial proposals.
• Ensure tenders accurately reflect project risks, opportunities and delivery methodologies.
• Improve bid conversion and success rates.

Client Management

• Build and maintain relationships with existing and prospective clients.
• Support business development and networking activities.
• Lead pre-construction presentations, interviews and workshops.
• Act as a trusted advisor during early project engagement.

Design & Technical Leadership

• Oversee design management throughout the pre-construction period.
• Coordinate consultants, architects and technical teams.
• Ensure buildability, programme and cost considerations are embedded throughout project development.
• Drive value engineering and innovation initiatives.

Commercial & Risk Management

• Oversee estimating and cost planning functions.
• Review project budgets and procurement strategies.
• Identify commercial, design and programme risks at an early stage.
• Ensure robust governance and decision-making throughout project development.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience in a senior pre-construction, estimating or bid leadership role.
• Proven track record of securing major design and build projects.
• Strong understanding of construction delivery across multiple sectors.
• Experience managing bid, estimating and design teams.
• Extensive knowledge of tendering, procurement and project planning.
• Strong commercial awareness and contractual understanding.
• Excellent stakeholder, client and board-level communication skills.
• Ability to influence and lead both internal and external teams.

Desirable Background
Experience within one or more of the following:

• High-end residential construction
• Education projects
• Healthcare facilities
• Commercial construction
• Heritage or specialist projects