Head of Preconstruction

Kilnbridge

HQ – Canning Town, London

Fire Protection

About Kilnbridge

Kilnbridge is the UK’s leading structures specialist, delivering some of the country’s most complex and iconic engineering, construction and infrastructure projects. Our expertise spans the full lifecycle of a structure - design, build, adapt, repair and protect - delivered by four specialist operational businesses that combine seamlessly as One Kilnbridge to meet any project’s needs. 

We are purpose led, focused on building a sustainable and resilient future for the UK, with a reputation for technical excellence, safety and quality built over 35 years. As an employee-owned business, our people are at the heart of everything we do - empowered to contribute, innovate and help shape our continued success. 

If you want to make a meaningful impact, grow your career and join a team that values expertise and forward thinking, we’d love to hear from you.

This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead the preconstruction function within Kilnbridge Fire Protection at a time of significant growth and industry change. As Head of Preconstruction, you will take full ownership of how work is won, setting strategy, driving innovation, and ensuring bids are robust, compliant and commercially strong. Operating at a senior leadership level, you’ll play a pivotal role in positioning KFPL as a market‑leading specialist in passive fire protection and building safety, with a real voice in strategic direction and future growth.

What you’ll do

· Lead and define the preconstruction strategy, shaping how KFPL competes, grows and delivers value in a highly regulated market.

· Own the end‑to‑end tendering and estimating process, from initial opportunity review through to submission and project handover.

· Set the standard for cost planning, risk management and value engineering across all bids, ensuring commercial robustness and compliance.

· Provide assurance that all proposals fully meet Building Safety Act, CDM, FIRAS and internal governance requirements.

· Work closely with senior commercial and operational leaders to develop pricing strategy, contractual positions and bid risk profiles.

· Lead fire safety design coordination during preconstruction, ensuring technical compliance, buildability and programme certainty.

· Champion innovation, digital tools and BIM integration to modernise and scale preconstruction capability.

· Act as a senior voice in leadership and board‑level discussions, influencing pipeline planning and strategic decision‑making.

· Build trusted relationships with clients, consultants and key supply chain partners, leading presentations and pre‑award negotiations.

· Inspire, mentor and develop a high‑performing preconstruction team, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and excellence.

What you’ll need:

· A degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying or a closely related discipline.

· Extensive experience leading preconstruction, estimating or work‑winning within passive fire protection, remediation or building safety.

· Deep technical understanding of passive fire protection systems, fire safety design and compliance‑led delivery.

· Expert knowledge of FIRAS, CDM, the Building Safety Act and associated legislation.

· A strong track record of successfully delivering complex, high‑value and safety‑critical tenders.

· Proven ability to lead, grow and transform teams, building capability and succession.

· Commercial confidence and strategic thinking, with the ability to influence decisions at senior and board level.

· Strong analytical and risk‑management skills, with a proactive and solutions‑focused mindset.

· Proficiency in estimating and preconstruction tools such as CostX, Bluebeam and BIM platforms.

· A calm, credible leadership style that builds trust with clients, regulators and internal stakeholders.

Why Kilnbridge?

With major projects delivered across the UK - from national infrastructure to clean energy, buildings and complex structural works - Kilnbridge offers the opportunity to work on schemes that leave a lasting legacy on the built environment. With a UK network of offices from London to Runcorn to Lisburn, we are a trusted partner in some of the most highly regulated, constrained and demanding environments working with our customers to support the delivery of projects across the country. 

We are proud to be an employee-owned organisation where every colleague has a real stake in our success and a voice in how we grow. Our culture is shaped by four core values - Responsibility, Integrity, Teamwork and Excellence - which guide how we work and support one another every day. This has created a workforce that has earned recognition on the Financial Times and Statistas Best UK employers 2026 list. 

If you’re driven by pride in your work, inspired by technical challenge and motivated to help deliver projects that shape communities across the UK, you will thrive at Kilnbridge.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Kilnbridge is an equal opportunities employer and a proud member of the Disability Confident Scheme. We are committed to creating a diverse workplace where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect. We welcome discussions about flexible working and encourage applicants who may require reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy or marital status.