Pre Construction Manager
| Posting date: | 03 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £55,000.0 to £65,000.0 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Up to £65,000 + car |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 02 April 2026 |
| Location: | Manchester, Greater Manchester, OL9 8EE |
| Company: | Hays Specialist Recruitment |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 4775797_1772556586 |
Summary
Pre-Construction Manager - Data Centres / Critical Infrastructure
Location:Manchester
Sector: Mission Critical / Data Centres / M&E
Hays are supporting an award-winning M&E Contractor delivering complex M&E and critical infrastructure projects across the UK. Due to continued expansion and a strong pipeline of secured and upcoming projects, they are now seeking an experienced Pre-Construction Manager to join their growing Critical Infrastructures team.
This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated professional looking to progress their career within mission-critical engineering services, leading the pre-construction phase of high-value data centre projects while working alongside a dedicated and technically strong team.
The Role
- Support enquiries and new opportunities, coordinating technical design, estimating and scope development
- Lead the pre-construction phase of awarded projects from contract award through to delivery handover on projects valued up to £10m
- Coordinate and manage design development through RIBA Stages 3-5
- Ensure technical and commercial submissions meet internal and client deadlines
- Manage early-stage commercial and design risk
- Identify and implement value engineering opportunities
- Chair design workshops and stakeholder meetings
- Manage relationships with clients, consultants, design partners and specialist subcontractors
- Work with procurement teams to secure long-lead and critical equipment
- Develop tender and pre-construction programmes to support accurate planning and resource forecasting
- Provide ongoing support to delivery teams where required
About You
- Degree / HNC / HND in Mechanical, Electrical or Building Services Engineering (or related discipline)
- Minimum 5 years' experience in M&E engineering, ideally within critical infrastructure
- Strong technical understanding of M&E systems and installation practices
- Experience leading design coordination and managing stakeholders
- Commercial awareness and ability to manage early-stage risk
- Experience with AutoCAD/ Revit (beneficial)
- Programming software knowledge (ASTA, P6, MS Project beneficial)
- Strong Microsoft Office skills
- Data centre experience desirable but not essential
Key Competencies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent stakeholder management
- Ability to prioritise and manage multiple deadlines
- Commercial and technical judgement aligned with company procedures
- Team-oriented with strong communication skills
Benefits
- Salary up to £65,000 + company car
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
- Join a growing, ambitious contractor operating in the high-growth data centre sector
- Work on technically challenging projects using the latest data centre technologies
- Be part of a forward-thinking and collaborative pre-construction team
- Clear opportunity for professional progression within a growing division
What to do now?
If you are an experienced M&E professional looking to step into or further develop within a Pre-Construction leadership role in the mission-critical sector, this is a strong opportunity to join a respected and expanding business.For a confidential discussion, please get in touch.
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