Pre-Construction Manager - Building - Northern Ireland

About The Role

Pre Construction Manager - Permanent Opportunity
Division: Building
Location: London/Hillsborough

BENEFITS: Car allowance, Pension, Subsidised Private Medical Cover, Life Assurance Scheme, Car Allowance

At GRAHAM, we deliver more than buildings - we deliver certainty. As part of our continued growth in England, we are seeking an experienced Pre-Construction Manager to lead projects through the critical early stages and set them up for successful delivery on site. Based from our London / or Hillsborough office, you will take ownership of projects through PCSA and pre-construction (RIBA 1-4), working closely with clients, consultants and internal teams to ensure robust, buildable and commercially sound solutions.

The Pre-Construction Manager is responsible for leading, coordinating and managing all pre-construction activities from early engagement through to contract award and mobilisation. The role ensures that bids and development opportunities are well planned, technically robust, commercially viable and aligned with delivery capability. Acting as the central integrator across estimating, design, planning and commercial inputs, the role supports successful work-winning and a smooth transition into delivery.

Job Description

The Pre-Construction Manager shall:

Pre-Construction Leadership & Coordination
• Lead pre-construction activity across PCSA's, frameworks and early contractor involvement (ECI) opportunities
• Act as the central coordinator for estimating, design, planning, commercial and supply-chain inputs
• Help develop and manage pre-construction programmes, deliverables and milestones
• Ensure alignment and collaboration across all disciplines

Design Management (Pre-Construction Phase)
• Coordinate early-stage design development and consultant engagement
• Ensure designs are compliant, buildable, cost-effective and aligned with programme
• Support design risk management and design-to-cost optimisation
• Facilitate design reviews, workshops and approvals

Estimating & Cost Integration
• Work closely with estimating teams to ensure cost plans reflect methodology, risk and programme
• Challenge assumptions and ensure estimates are robust and deliverable
• Ensure clear alignment between design, scope and pricing
• Support cost planning through concept, feasibility and tender stages

Programme & Methodology Development
• Develop construction methodology, sequencing and logistics strategies
• Work with planners to produce realistic, achievable programmes
• Identify constraints, interfaces and key risks
• Ensure programme assumptions align with commercial and technical outputs

Supply Chain & Procurement Strategy
• Lead early supply-chain engagement to inform buildability, cost and programme
• Support procurement strategies, packaging and subcontractor selection
• Ensure supply-chain inputs are integrated into estimates and methodologies
• Assess capability, capacity and risk

Risk, Opportunity & Value Engineering
• Lead identification and management of pre-construction risks and opportunities
• Facilitate value-engineering and optioneering workshops
• Ensure risks are appropriately mitigated and clearly documented
• Support development of contingency and risk allowances

Client & Stakeholder Engagement
• Act as a key interface with clients, consultants and stakeholders during pre-construction
• Lead meetings, workshops and presentations
• Build strong relationships and maintain client confidence
• Ensure client requirements are clearly understood and delivered

Governance, Reporting & Assurance
• Ensure compliance with internal pre-construction governance and approvals
• Maintain audit trails for decisions, assumptions and changes
• Provide clear reporting on progress, risks and opportunities
• Support tender reviews, adjudications and approvals

Handover to Delivery
• Lead structured handover from pre-construction to project delivery teams
• Ensure clarity of scope, programme, risks and commitments
• Support mobilisation planning and readiness
• Provide continuity and support during early delivery stages

Continuous Improvement
• Capture lessons learned from bids and pre-construction processes
• Drive improvements in methodology, coordination and efficiency
• Promote best practice and standardisation

This job description is intended to give the post holder an appreciation of the role envisaged and the range of duties to be undertaken.

It does not attempt to detail every activity. Specific tasks and objectives will be agreed with the post holder at regular intervals

Personal Specification

Technical & Commercial Competence

Essential
• Significant experience in pre-construction, project management roles
• Strong understanding of construction methodology, cost planning and programme development
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams in a tender or pre-construction environment
• Ability to balance technical, commercial and delivery considerations

Desirable
• Experience across multiple sectors (e.g. building, infrastructure, frameworks)
• Professional qualification in construction, engineering or project management
• Experience in design-and-build or ECI procurement routes

Health & Safety

Essential
• Strong commitment to safe-by-design and safe-by-delivery principles
• Understands how early decisions influence construction risk
• Works collaboratively with SHE teams to ensure realistic, safe solutions

Behavioural Competencies
• Organised, structured and delivery-focused
• Commercially aware and analytical
• Strong communicator and stakeholder manager
• Calm under pressure and deadline-driven
• Collaborative across disciplines
• Values-led and accountable

Our Commitment:

At GRAHAM, we are proud to say that we are a committed Equal Opportunities Employer and we aim to be the first choice for people from all backgrounds. We seek to promote respect for the individual and equality of opportunities. We believe that everyone should be treated solely on the basis of personal merit and contribution throughout their GRAHAM career journey and not on the value of artificial barriers, prejudices, or preferences. If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We are dedicated to making our policies and guidance accessible to all applicants and employees. If you need this document in an alternative format, such as large print, audio, or braille, please contact us at: • Email: [email protected] • Phone: 07384 916355 As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. If you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme, please contact Louise Hunter, Resourcing Manager, at: • Email: [email protected] • Phone: 07384 916355 We are only able to consider applications from individuals who are eligible to live and work in the UK, as per Home Office regulations. Please check your eligibility with the regulations before applying. Individuals with a current time restricted right to work in the UK, should contact the Human Resources team in the first instance. A basic disclosure may be requested if security clearance is required by 3rd party clients and a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position. Our Access NI/Vetting and Barring Scheme Policy and Policy