Pre-Construction Manager -South of England

To lead and manage pre-construction and feasibility activities for retail development projects from initial site acquisition and agreement of key property terms, including Agreements for Lease (AFLs), through to Stage Gate 2 handover to the Construction Delivery Team.

Ensuring each opportunity is thoroughly evaluated, scoped, designed, costed, approved and de-risked, the role delivers implementation-ready projects that meet operational, commercial and strategic business objectives.

This is a London-based hybrid role managing new stores, relocations, extensions and development opportunities through concept, definition and development, working with internal stakeholders, landlords, developers, and consultants to produce implementation-ready projects.

All the details

• Lead technical and commercial feasibility assessments for new stores, relocations, extensions and development opportunities, evaluating site constraints, viability, abnormal costs, delivery risks and development potential.
• Manage projects through concept, definition and development stages, maintaining programmes, critical paths, milestones and readiness criteria to ensure successful handover at Stage Gate 2.
• Review and negotiate landlord and developer requirements, including Agreements for Lease (AFL) technical elements, shell specifications, development obligations and operational standards.
• Coordinate and challenge multidisciplinary consultant teams, including architects, engineers, planners, cost consultants and specialist advisors, ensuring design information is coordinated, commercially robust and deliverable.
• Prepare business cases, governance submissions, project budgets, cost plans and risk mitigation strategies, providing clear recommendations and ensuring projects remain aligned to approved capital parameters.

• A commercially astute project professional who can balance feasibility, risk, programme, cost and operational requirements to support informed business decision-making.
• A confident leader who can influence and challenge consultants, contractors, landlords, developers and stakeholders to achieve the best project outcomes.
• An organised and proactive problem solver, capable of managing multiple projects, competing priorities, programme risks and critical path activities.
• A strong communicator with excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills, able to present complex information and recommendations clearly.
• Resilient and adaptable, comfortable working in ambiguous environments, resolving constraints and identifying opportunities to strengthen project viability and delivery.

• Proven experience in pre-construction, development management, project management or construction consultancy within retail, commercial, mixed-use or large-scale development environments.
• Strong knowledge of feasibility, design development, planning, statutory approvals, construction delivery and front-end development processes.
• Experience developing and managing cost plans, project budgets, value engineering initiatives, risk registers and mitigation strategies.
• Degree qualified in Construction, Property, Surveying, Architecture, Engineering or a related discipline, with MRICS, MCIOB, MAPM or equivalent qualification beneficial or working towards.
• Strong technical and commercial capability, including experience using Microsoft Excel, Teams, Project and PowerPoint, with knowledge of retail development processes advantageous but not essential.

• 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third-party brands for you and a member of your household.
• Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days!
• Discretionary bonus schemes awarded…