Pre-Construction Project Manager

Pre-Construction Project Manager

Harlow District Council 📍 Harlow | Hybrid (1-3 days on site) 💰 £450 per day (Umbrella) 📅 Initial 12-Month Contract (Potential Extension)

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Pre-Construction Project Manager to join a high-profile Housing Capital Programme delivering investment works to occupied council homes across the district.
With a capital investment programme valued at approximately £150 million over the next two years, this is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping and preparing major refurbishment, compliance and component replacement projects across a diverse residential property portfolio.
This role sits within the Pre-Construction Team, ensuring projects are properly scoped, costed, designed and procured before transitioning into delivery.

The Role

You will lead the pre-construction phase of a wide range of planned investment and refurbishment projects, working across occupied residential properties including low-rise and high-rise homes.
Working closely with internal stakeholders, consultants and contractors, you will manage project development from early feasibility through to procurement and handover into delivery.
Projects may include:

Major refurbishment programmes
Component replacement schemes
Building safety improvement works
Planned maintenance programmes
Compliance-led capital investment projects
Low-rise and high-rise residential buildings

Key Responsibilities

Lead the development and planning of capital works projects during the pre-construction phase.
Identify priority estates, buildings and properties for investment.
Coordinate surveys, inspections, feasibility studies and site investigations.
Develop project scopes, specifications and design requirements.
Manage external consultants and professional teams.
Support procurement activities, including tender preparation, evaluation and contractor selection.
Ensure projects comply with CDM Regulations 2015, Building Safety Act 2022 and relevant legislation.
Work closely with delivery teams to ensure seamless project mobilisation.
Support resident and leaseholder consultation activities where required.
Monitor programme progress, costs, risks and compliance requirements.

About You

We are looking for professionals with strong experience delivering capital investment programmes within occupied residential environments.
Suitable backgrounds include:

Pre-Construction Project Manager
Capital Works Project Manager
Major Works Manager
Building Surveyor
Senior Building Surveyor
Project Surveyor
Employer's Agent
Quantity Surveyor
Asset Manager
Planned Works Manager

Essential Experience

Demonstrable experience managing capital works or planned maintenance programmes within occupied residential properties.
Experience developing projects through pre-construction, design and procurement stages.
Strong understanding of:
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM)
Building Safety Act 2022
RIBA Plan of Work 2020
Experience managing consultants, contractors and multiple stakeholders.
Tender development, procurement and evaluation experience.
Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently within a fast-paced environment.

Desirable Experience

Local Authority housing experience.
Housing Association or social housing sector background.
Experience delivering major works programmes to occupied homes.
Knowledge of leaseholder consultation processes.

What's on Offer?

£450 per day (Umbrella)
Initial 12-month contract with potential extension
Opportunity to work on a significant £150m housing investment programme
High-profile role delivering meaningful improvements to residents' homes
Flexible hybrid working arrangement
This opportunity would particularly suit candidates with a background in social housing, local authority capital works, planned maintenance, major works, asset management or building surveying who are experienced in developing projects from concept through to construction delivery
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed