Job Description:

Pre-Construction Manager – Luxury Commercial Fit Out

Location: Central London
Sector: Luxury Commercial Fit Out, Refurbishment & Retrofit
Project Types: Cat A, Cat B, High-End Refurbishment & Retrofit

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Pre-Construction Manager to join a leading luxury commercial fit-out contractor based in Central London. The role will be responsible for managing projects through the pre-construction lifecycle, from initial enquiry and tender through to procurement and construction handover.

Working across high-end commercial Cat A and Cat B fit-out, refurbishment and retrofit projects, you will work closely with clients, consultants, design teams, subcontractors and the internal delivery team to develop robust, commercially viable and deliverable project proposals.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the pre-construction process from initial enquiry, tender and bid stage through to contract award and project mobilisation.
• Review project drawings, specifications, scopes and employer’s requirements, identifying design, programme, procurement, buildability and commercial risks.
• Develop detailed pre-construction programmes, procurement strategies, tender packages and project execution plans.
• Coordinate with architects, designers, MEP consultants, structural engineers and specialist subcontractors to ensure proposals are fully coordinated and deliverable.
• Manage subcontractor and supplier tendering, including issuing enquiries, reviewing returns, negotiating costs and preparing comparisons.
• Work closely with the Commercial and Estimating teams to develop accurate budgets, cost plans, value engineering proposals and tender submissions.
• Lead value engineering and buildability reviews, identifying opportunities to improve cost, programme and quality without compromising the client's requirements.
• Prepare and present tender submissions, methodologies, programmes, preliminaries and client presentations.
• Attend and lead client, consultant and design team meetings, acting as a key point of contact throughout pre-construction.
• Manage design development, technical queries, surveys and investigations required to establish a clear scope prior to construction.
• Ensure projects are appropriately planned for live environments, complex refurbishments and retrofit constraints, including logistics, access, phasing and stakeholder management.
• Identify and manage pre-construction risks, including existing building conditions, MEP interfaces, statutory requirements and project constraints.
• Work collaboratively with the Construction and Project Management teams to ensure a smooth transition from pre-construction into delivery.
• Support contract negotiations and ensure all scope, programme, procurement and commercial requirements are clearly established prior to commencement.

Experience Required

• Proven experience in a Pre-Construction Manager, Senior Pre-Construction Manager, Pre-Construction Project Manager or similar role.
• Strong background within luxury commercial fit out, refurbishment and/or retrofit.
• Experience delivering Cat A and Cat B commercial projects, ideally within Central London.
• Strong understanding of construction methodologies, design coordination, procurement and buildability.
• Commercially astute with experience managing budgets, tenders and subcontractor negotiations.
• Confident dealing directly with clients, consultants, architects, designers and specialist subcontractors.
• Excellent communication, presentation and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tenders/projects simultaneously within a fast-paced, client-focused environment.
• Relevant construction qualification or equivalent industry experience.

Package

Competitive salary and benefits package, with the opportunity to join an established luxury fit-out contractor delivering high-profile commercial projects across London.