The Associate Director, Project Management – Preconstruction will lead the planning and development of projects from early feasibility and design through procurement, award and transition into construction.
The role is responsible for establishing a robust scope, budget, programme, procurement strategy and risk framework before projects move into execution. It will work closely with clients, consultants, designers, cost managers, contractors and internal stakeholders to improve constructability, commercial outcomes and overall project readiness.
Key Responsibilities
Preconstruction & Project Leadership
- Lead preconstruction activities from feasibility, concept and design development through tender, contractor appointment and construction mobilisation.
- Establish project execution strategies covering scope, programme, budget, procurement and stakeholder requirements.
- Lead constructability and design reviews, identifying scope gaps, coordination issues and delivery risks before construction.
- Drive project readiness and ensure a structured handover from preconstruction to the delivery/construction team.
- Provide senior management with clear reporting on project status, key decisions, risks and mitigation plans.
Design & Technical Management
- Coordinate architects, engineers, specialist consultants and contractors during design development.
- Ensure designs are sufficiently coordinated and developed to support reliable costing, procurement and construction.
- Facilitate design reviews and challenge solutions on constructability, cost, programme and operational requirements.
- Track design decisions, changes and dependencies that may affect budget or programme.
Programme & Risk Management
- Establish and challenge master programmes, including design, approvals, procurement and construction milestones.
- Identify critical-path activities and long-lead procurement requirements.
- Lead project risk reviews and establish mitigation and contingency actions.
- Escalate material commercial, design, programme and delivery risks to senior stakeholders.
Client & Stakeholder Management
- Act as a senior point of contact during the preconstruction phase.
- Build trusted relationships with clients and key project stakeholders.
- Lead project workshops and communicate recommendations, trade-offs, decisions and risks clearly to senior stakeholders.
- Manage expectations across clients, consultants, contractors and internal teams.
Leadership
- Lead and mentor Project Managers and other project team members.
- Set project governance, quality and reporting standards.
- Allocate resources appropriately across projects and support capability development.
- Promote collaboration between project management, design, cost/commercial and construction teams.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of preconstruction processes, tools and standards.