Overview
The Shore Group have been assigned on behalf of highly regarded Design & Build Workplace Fit Out company to appoint a Preconstruction Director. With a strong reputation for creativity and delivery, the business operates at the top end of the commercial office fit-out sector, delivering projects typically ranging from £5 Million – £25 Million.
Due to sustained growth and continued success, the business is seeking a Preconstruction Director to lead both its preconstruction function and some of its most complex and commercially significant opportunities. This is a hands-on leadership role, requiring an individual capable of driving high-value design & build projects through the entire preconstruction process whilst continuing to develop and strengthen the wider function.
The Role
Operating as a key member of the senior leadership team and trusted partner to Project Directors, the successful candidate will take responsibility for leading complex workplace fit-out projects through the full preconstruction lifecycle, from initial client engagement and design development through to contract execution and handover to the delivery team.
Alongside leading and developing the preconstruction function, the successful candidate will own high-value projects and tenders from inception to contract award, remaining involved through mobilisation to ensure a seamless transition into delivery.
This is a multifaceted role encompassing preconstruction leadership, commercial governance, design management, client engagement, and work-winning activity. Acting as the key link between the client, Project Director, design team and commercial function, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in securing and successfully setting up high-value projects for delivery.
The successful candidate will remain closely involved in live projects and tenders, driving design, commercial, and client engagement activities from inception through to contract award, whilst acting as a mentor and trusted point of support for the wider preconstruction team.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and refine the preconstruction and tendering function, ensuring a highly structured, commercially disciplined approach to all opportunities.
- Take ownership of bid strategy from early client engagement through to tender submission, negotiation, contract execution, and project handover.
- Attend design workshops, driving consultants, design teams, and project stakeholders to achieve key milestones and programme commitments.
- Ensure design teams are designing within agreed budgets while maintaining the quality and creative standards expected within a premium workplace environment.
- Drive projects through RIBA Stages 1–4, ensuring designs are sufficiently coordinated, developed, costed, and validated prior to contract commitment.
- Own the commercial validation process, challenging costs, assumptions, design decisions, and project risks to ensure commercially robust outcomes.
- Safeguard the preconstruction process, ensuring the correct information, approvals, procurement strategies, and contractual mechanisms are in place before projects transition to delivery.
- Act as a key strategic partner to Project Directors, providing independent commercial and preconstruction leadership whilst constructively challenging decision-making where required.
- Maintain oversight of projects following appointment, ensuring continuity and support through mobilisation and into early delivery stages.
- Identify project risks, information gaps, procurement challenges, and design issues early, implementing mitigation strategies to protect programme, margin, and client outcomes.
- Work closely with estimating, commercial, design, procurement, and delivery teams to ensure projects can be effectively bought out and delivered as planned.
- Lead the development and implementation of supply chain strategies, securing value, competitiveness, reliability, and opportunities for value engineering.
- Mentor and develop Preconstruction Managers and wider team members, helping establish best practice across the business.
- Attend and contribute to client meetings, pitches, presentations, and workshops, positioning the business as a market-leading design and build partner.
- Play an active role in business planning and growth strategy, contributing at senior leadership level.
Candidate Requirements:
- Senior experience in preconstruction, estimating, or commercial leadership within a D&B workplace or traditional office fit-out/main contracting environment.
- Proven track record leading CAT A & CAT B workplace fit-out projects valued at £10m+.
- Extensive experience leading complex D&B projects through the full preconstruction lifecycle.
- Strong understanding of RIBA Stages 1–4, design management, consultant coordination, and contract readiness.
- Demonstrable experience leading high-value tenders and converting opportunities into secured projects.
- Highly commercial with a strong focus on risk, margin protection, cost validation, and profitability.
- Experience developing supply chain and procurement strategies within a D&B environment.
- Confident in client-facing roles, including early engagement and pitches
- Ability to drive design teams to budget while maintaining programme milestones and project objectives.
- Strong client-facing skills with experience in pitches, presentations, and work-winning activity.
- Experience managing D&B supply chain and procurement strategy
- Capable of influencing key stakeholders and providing effective challenge to achieve the best project outcomes.
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