Pre Construction Manager

Pre-Construction Manager
Melbourne, VIC | Permanent Full-Time
 
The Opportunity
Design & Build Recruitment is partnering with a well-established and growing electrical services contractor to appoint an experienced Pre-Construction Manager.
This is a key leadership position sitting at the intersection of Estimating, Design and Operations, taking ownership of projects from early contractor involvement and tender stage through to procurement, delivery planning and operational handover.
 
The role will suit an experienced Project Manager, Senior Estimator, Pre-Construction Manager or Engineer who understands the realities of delivering complex construction projects and enjoys influencing outcomes before construction begins.
With a strong pipeline of major projects and continued business growth, this position offers the opportunity to establish and develop a dedicated pre-construction function, with the expectation that the successful candidate will eventually lead a team.
 
The Role
As Pre-Construction Manager, you will play a critical role in ensuring projects transition effectively from concept and tender through to delivery.
Working closely with senior leadership, estimators, designers and project delivery teams, you will lead ECI and bid opportunities, review major project estimates, identify commercial and technical risks, and develop operational budgets and production metrics ahead of project commencement.
You will remain involved through early design and procurement, ensuring a structured and commercially robust handover into operations.
 
Key Responsibilities
Tender & Estimating

• Lead and coordinate ECI and major bid opportunities alongside estimating and design teams.
• Review significant project estimates through to final negotiation stages.
• Provide input into buildability, constructability and design reviews.
• Support labour rate build-ups, schedules of rates and standardised estimating information.
• Provide technical and commercial advice around client budgets, design and project strategy.
• Support business development activity and major tender opportunities.

Pre-Construction & Project Planning

• Translate awarded project estimates into operational budgets and production metrics.
• Undertake detailed reviews of project scope, design and documentation ahead of delivery.
• Establish and manage project Risk & Opportunity registers.
• Identify value engineering and design efficiency opportunities.
• Coordinate early procurement of long-lead and engineered equipment.
• Lead formal project handovers from pre-construction into operational delivery teams.
• Coordinate early design engagement with clients and internal design teams.

Project Delivery Support

• Maintain involvement through early design and procurement stages.
• Support project teams during the transition into construction.
• Drive lessons learned and continuous improvement across project delivery.

Leadership & Process Improvement

• Improve pre-construction processes, systems, templates and reporting.
• Maintain accurate records across estimates, budgets and handover documentation.
• Provide reporting on pipeline opportunities, project handovers and key lessons learned.
• Play a key role in developing the future pre-construction function, with the opportunity to build and lead a team.

About You
We are looking for someone with a strong understanding of the construction lifecycle and the ability to bridge the gap between winning work and successfully delivering it.
You may currently be working as a:

• Pre-Construction Manager
• Senior Project Manager
• Project Manager with strong estimating experience
• Senior Estimator looking to move closer to project strategy and delivery
• Electrical or Building Services Engineer with significant commercial project experience

Ideally, you will bring:

• Experience in project management and/or engineering combined with estimating experience within the construction industry.
• A strong understanding of buildability, constructability and design review.
• Experience across the full project lifecycle, from ECI and tender through to design, procurement and project handover.
• The ability to review complex scopes and identify commercial, technical and delivery risks.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to work across estimating, design, operations and client teams.
• Experience identifying value engineering and design efficiency opportunities.
• Excellent analytical, commercial and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Experience within electrical services, building services, industrial construction, infrastructure or mission-critical/data centre environments will be highly regarded.
 
What's On Offer?
This is a genuine opportunity to take ownership of a critical function within a growing contractor.
You will have:

• A highly influential role across major projects.
• Package: $180,000 - $220,000 + super + vehicle/car allowance (DOE)
• Exposure to projects from tender through to delivery.
• The opportunity to shape and improve pre-construction processes.
• Close collaboration with senior leadership.
• A clear pathway into building and leading a dedicated pre-construction team.
• A strong pipeline of complex electrical and infrastructure projects.
• A permanent, long-term career opportunity with a growing Melbourne-based contractor.

Apply
If you are an experienced construction professional looking to move into a strategic pre-construction leadership role, we'd like to hear from you.
For a confidential discussion, please contact Connor Gwilliam at Design & Build Recruitment, or apply directly via the link below.
All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.