Company Description
United Living is a leading infrastructure, construction, and property services company in the UK. We help our customers and the communities they serve benefit from resilient infrastructure, affordable homes, and improved living spaces that are fit for the future. Our mission is to be the partner and employer of choice for designing, building, maintaining, and connecting communities and critical infrastructure, to create a more sustainable and inclusive society.
Property Services – We revitalise homes and communities through the regeneration of living spaces, breathing new life into neighbourhoods. From delivering large programmes of work for social housing providers, to ensuring the highest building safety standards, we provide a range of services for public sector clients.
Job Description
We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Pre-Construction Commercial Director to lead and manage the pre-construction phase of projects within our property services business. This senior leadership role is critical in ensuring the successful and profitable delivery of complex commercial property developments. The Pre-Construction Commercial Director will oversee the strategic planning, cost management, and procurement processes before construction begins, ensuring all commercial objectives are met and risks are mitigated.
Key Responsibilities:
Ensure that all projects selected to be tendered fit with the Business Pillar strategy for growth and fit with the business risk profile for new work dependent on sector, geography, client and work type
Oversee the procurement process, including tendering, contractor selection, and negotiation. Ensure that all procurement activities are aligned with project needs and budget constraints.
Develop and implement strategies for pre-construction activities, aligning with the company’s goals and client requirements. Ensure all pre-construction elements are considered, including design, cost, timeline, and risk assessments.
Lead cost planning and budget preparation for projects, ensuring accurate and realistic estimates are provided. Conduct value engineering exercises to achieve cost savings while maintaining design integrity and quality.
Lead and mentor the pre-construction team, including quantity surveyors, estimators, and other project support staff. Foster a collaborative environment across internal teams, including design, operations, and senior management.
Identify and mitigate potential risks in the pre-construction phase, providing solutions to any challenges that may arise. Work closely with legal and risk management teams to ensure contractual terms and conditions align with project goals.
Act as the key point of contact for clients during the pre-construction phase, ensuring transparent communication and a high level of customer service. Manage client expectations and provide regular updates on project progress.
Engage with external stakeholders, including consultants, architects, engineers, and regulatory bodies, to ensure smooth project initiation and compliance with all relevant regulations.
Provide regular progress reports to senior management, clients, and other stakeholders, highlighting key milestones, risks, and issues.
Identify opportunities for process improvement, cost reduction, and operational efficiency during the pre-construction phase.
Qualifications
Qualifications and Skills:
Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or a related field. A professional qualification such as MRICS (Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) is highly desirable.
A minimum of 10 years’ experience in pre-construction or commercial management within the property services or construction industry, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
Strong understanding of commercial property development, construction processes, cost management, procurement strategies, and contract law.
Proven ability to lead, manage, and develop teams. Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work with senior leadership and clients.
In-depth understanding of cost management, budgeting, and financial controls. Experience in managing large-scale, complex projects.
Strong analytical skills with a track record of identifying issues and implementing solutions in a fast-paced environment.
Proficient in industry-standard software such as MS Project, Procore, or similar construction/project management tools.
Additional Information
What We Offer:
If you are a Commercial Director seeking a dynamic and diverse work environment, we're offering:
Competitive salary and benefits package
Opportunities for career progression aligned with the company’s growth
Immediate interview for qualified candidatesAs a business United Living prefer to hire directly and we will be in touch with our PSL Agencies if we require support. We do not accept speculative CVs from agencies. If speculative CVs are sent, no fee will be applicable
