Head of PRE - Construction and Design

Head of Pre-Construction & Design Circa £100,000 + Benefits | South East England The Opportunity An established building services contractor is seeking a Head of Pre-Construction & Design to lead its design and pre-construction activities while playing a key role in winning new business and developing long-term client relationships. Working across commercial office fit-out and building services projects ranging from £50k to £15m, the role will have a strong mechanical engineering bias, covering HVAC, plumbing and wider M&E services. You will lead an established technical team comprising four design engineers, three CAD specialists and a BIM specialist, ensuring the business develops technically robust, commercially competitive solutions that can be delivered successfully. This is a senior, commercially focused position requiring someone who can combine technical leadership with estimating, costing and proactive client relationship management to secure repeat and negotiated projects. Key Responsibilities

• Lead pre-construction, design coordination, estimating and tendering activities from initial enquiry through to contract award.
• Develop client relationships and identify opportunities to secure repeat, relationship-led business.
• Engage with clients early to influence project requirements, develop solutions and position the business to win work.
• Oversee design development, cost planning, tender pricing, value engineering and commercial risk assessment.
• Lead and develop the existing design, CAD and BIM teams, ensuring high-quality, coordinated and buildable solutions.
• Work closely with operational and commercial teams to ensure proposals are competitive, profitable and aligned with delivery capability.
• Remain hands-on where required, providing technical and commercial input to key opportunities and complex projects. Candidate Requirements
• Senior experience within mechanical building services, HVAC or an M&E design-and-build contractor.
• Strong mechanical engineering knowledge, ideally within commercial fit-out and refurbishment.
• Demonstrable experience across both building services design and estimating/costing.
• A proven ability to develop client relationships and influence or secure new business.
• Experience leading technical teams and coordinating pre-construction activities.
• Strong commercial awareness, including tender strategy, project margins, risk and value engineering.
• A hands-on, commercially minded approach, balancing technical delivery with business development. Package
• Circa £100,000 salary plus benefits.
• Flexible home working within reason.
• An established technical team and the opportunity to influence both business development and operational performance.