Project Manager (preconstruction)

Willmott Dixon; Weybridge, Farnborough, Dartford; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction company is looking for a Project Manager (Preconstruction) to join their team in Weybridge. In this role, you will manage the preconstruction bid process, coordinating internal and external partners to develop high-quality bids that satisfy customer expectations. Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills are essential, alongside a background in commercial or design management. This position offers hybrid work flexibility and the opportunity to work on diverse projects in a supportive environment.

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.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full two-stage and negotiated tender process through to construction contract.
• Coordinate the preconstruction team to ensure bids are robust and aligned with customer priorities.
• Present schemes to the board, ensuring proposals meet profitability expectations.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Commercial awareness

Design management

Coordination of multidisciplinary teams

Confident communication

Education

Accreditation with RICS or a Project Management body

Job description

We’re looking for a Project Manager (Preconstruction) to join our Southern regional team, based in either our Weybridge, Farnborough or Dartford offices. 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 successful tender stage to signed construction contract.

This is a highly influential role where your leadership will help bring major projects into the business, while ensuring our customers feel supported, informed and confident throughout early project development… NB. We’re also open to experienced Project Managers who bring the right blend of stakeholder management, technical appreciation, leadership and commercial understanding.

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.

About Us

With over 170 years of rich history, Willmott Dixon’s purpose is beyond profit; delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities and enhancing the environment so our world is fit for future generations. Ensuring that we add lasting value to the neighbourhoods we work in; our values, people, innovation, partnerships and focus on sustainability has allowed us to build a successful and solid privately owned business where our people can thrive.

Willmott Dixon was recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 10 "Big" Companies to Work For in 2025, named among the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2024, and ranked in the Top Five of Europe’s 1,000 best workplaces by the Financial Times in 2025.

Willmott Dixon is also the first major contractor and developer to win a King's Award for Enterprise in the category of sustainable development.