The Role
We are seeking an experienced Pre-Construction Manager to take a leading technical role in the development of complex social housing projects. This role focuses on ensuring projects are technically robust, compliant, well-coordinated and ready for safe delivery. You will lead pre-construction activities from early feasibility through to structured handover, supporting schemes across: • High-Risk Buildings (HRBs) • Fire safety and cladding remediation • PAS 2035 retrofit programmes • Capital works • Infill development You will work closely with clients, technical specialists, consultants and internal teams to ensure projects are properly defined, de-risked and fully prepared for delivery
The Company
Fortem are Social Housing property experts. It is our sole focus, and the only sector we have worked in since inception in 2002. We deliver a range of technical services across the social housing sector and work closely with our clients as whole lifecycle partners, helping them manage, improve and protect their housing assets. Our mission is to raise the bar in Social Housing and help our clients provide safe, warm and decent homes for people to live in – because Every Home Matters.
Duties & Responsibilities
• Lead and coordinate pre-construction activities across technically complex schemes • Develop project strategies aligned with the Building Safety Act, PAS 2035, PAS 9980, Building Regulations and procurement requirements • Coordinate surveys, investigations, design inputs and technical studies • Ensure projects have effective programmes and robust logistics, health and safety and public protection plans • Work with commercial and operational teams to ensure solutions are buildable, practical and cost-aware • Oversee the development of coordinated technical, operational and commercial inputs • Prepare and deliver a structured pre-construction and technical handover to delivery teams in line with the Fortem Blue Book • Support compliant design development for HRB, remediation and retrofit schemes • Identify, manage and resolve technical, design, compliance and delivery risks • Support procurement activities, package development and technical reviews • Engage with clients, consultants, regulatory stakeholders and supply chain partners • Ensure strong governance, audit trails and decision-making throughout the process
What You Will Need
Essential: • Strong understanding of the Building Safety Act, Building Regulations, PAS 2035, PAS 9980, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order and CDM 2015 • Experience managing technical design coordination and multidisciplinary inputs • Ability to challenge and manage consultants, specialists and supply chain partners • Experience supporting project mobilisation and delivery readiness • Commercial awareness, including budgeting, value engineering and procurement planning • Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills • Relevant CSCS card • First Aid at Work certificate • Full UK driving licence Desirable: • Degree (or equivalent) in Construction Management, Building Surveying, Engineering or related discipline • Professional accreditation (e.g. MCIOB, RICS, APM) • Experience of Gateway processes and regulatory approvals • Additional knowledge in fire safety, façade systems or retrofit coordination
Benefits
• 29 days annual leave + your birthday off • Eligible for a bonus of up to 10% • 26 weeks full pay maternity leave • Annual pay reviews • 8 weeks full pay paternity leave • Discounted gym memberships at national and local gyms • Up to £3,000 colleague referral fee • Vast directory of training on bespoke in-house Learning Management System • Private healthcare and dental care • Cycle to work scheme • Retail and mobile phone provider discounts
Who We Are
We are a Willmott Dixon Group Company, combining the credibility and strength of a long-established brand with the flexibility of a specialist, standalone business focused on the unique challenges of social housing. Our success is driven by our people. We are passionate about what we do, committed to our clients and residents, and focused on delivering the right outcomes in the right way. Our culture is built around Courage, Care and Respect, and we invest in developing our people to achieve their full potential. We are proud to be Investors in People – Gold standard and are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Job Reference: FOR04852