Pre-Construction Manager

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.

The role is responsible for the direct preparation and presentation of feasibility, option appraisals, cost estimates, project programmes, risk assessments, business cases and governance reports required to secure project approval. 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.

What You Will Do

• 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.

Who You Will Be

• 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.

What You Will Bring

• 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.

What’s in it for you:

Being a part of M&S is exactly that – playing your part to bring the magic of M&S to our customers every day. We’re an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and ever evolving business built on doing the right thing and bringing exceptional quality, value, service to every customer, whenever, wherever and however they want to shop with us. 

Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for M&S just that little bit more special… 

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 based on how you achieve your personal objectives and our performance as a business. 

A generous Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and Life Assurance. 

A dedicated welcome to our teams with a tailored induction and a wide range of training programmes to develop your skills. 

Amazing perks and discounts via our M&S Choices portal to maximise your financial and personal wellbeing. 

Industry-leading parental, adoption and neonatal policies, providing support and flexibility for your family. 

Access to a fantastic range of wellbeing support for all colleagues including access to our 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist to support you and your family. 

A charity volunteer day to support a charity or cause you're passionate about through a dedicated day away from work. 

Everyone’s welcome 

We are ambitious about the future of retail. We’re disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We’re transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen. 

We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together. 

If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process. 

Lead with purpose. Own the outcomes. Raise the bar. This is your store. And your chance to shape the future of M&S. Are you ready for it? Take Your Marks and apply today.