Pre-Contracts Manager - VIC/TAS

With infrastructure delivery in Victoria shifting from transport to other sectors, we are seeking a well-rounded Pre-Contracts Manager with relationships and experience working across a range of sectors to suit our multidisciplinary business. While the most significant shift is noted towards the water infrastructure sector, we also target construction opportunities in McConnell Dowell legacy sectors of ports and coastal, infrastructure, and energy.

This is not your usual pre-contracts role but instead presents an opportunity to demonstrate both your strategic client acumen and your ability to drive complex mid management processes, that ultimately enhances revenue outcomes for the region. We’re offering a truly great opportunity to be part of a dynamic, supportive work environment where we prioritise creative construction solutions at every opportunity. Your expertise will have a direct impact and influence on our continued success across the broad geographical footprint.

The Role.Working from our cutting-edge Richmond offices in Melbourne, as an experienced Pre-Contracts Manager, you will play a pivotal role in managing the tendering process and shaping the pre-contract strategy. Reporting directly into the General Manager for the VIC/TAS region, you’ll work closely with senior leadership, project managers, estimating managers and the broader pre-contracts team to ensure projects are accurately costed, secured, compliant, and aligned with our strategic objectives.

Key tasks/outputs of the role will include but aren’t limited to:

• Develop and maintain a project opportunity pipeline that will deliver sustained returns to the business.
• Represent the company and lead, in collaboration with the Regional General Manager and commercial leads, pre-award negotiations with clients, suppliers and subcontractors.
• Manage the regional bid budget and ensure individual bid budgets are maintained.
• Manage all business development and relationship building in the region. Maintain strong relationships with key clients and project partners to ensure customer and project understanding.
• Ensure focus on competitive tendering of all aspects of every new business pursuit, including design management, construction methodologies, innovation, project scheduling, pricing, commercial alignment and supplier and subcontractor engagement.
  
  

Why choose us?

• Competitive remuneration package reflecting your experience and the critical role you’ll play in our success.
• Broaden your professional network and deepen relationships with key clients and stakeholders in Victoria and Tasmania.
• Make a real impact on the growth and direction of a respected, multidisciplinary business with a broad geographical footprint.
• Lead impactful projects across multiple infrastructure sectors, broadening your experience and influence.
• Join a culture that values collaboration, innovation, and creativity — where your ideas and solutions are encouraged and supported.
• Work from our very well-appointed and thoughtfully designed office, built to promote both personal wellness and high performance
  
  

Why we choose you?

• You have tertiary qualifications (preferably in engineering, construction management, or project management).
• You bring to the table proven experience in successfully tendering large infrastructure construction projects under a variety of commercial arrangements. Including experience in significant water infrastructure projects.
• You will have a minimum of 10 years’ experience in the construction industry with a focus on tendering or bid management and have a sound, working knowledge of construction methodology development, design management and “first principles” estimating.
• You have proven experience in client relationship management across large private and public sector client groups, more particularly in the Victoria/Tasmania regions.
• You are energetic, agile and resilient.
• You are a natural communicator who enjoys working with different groups of people, both internally and externally.
  
  

About Us

McConnell Dowell – Creative Construction

Our purpose is Providing a Better Life. We do that through delivering projects that connect, support and sustain communities, and through providing career opportunities that challenge, reward and grow our people.

From remote major resources and energy projects to city-shaping transport and water infrastructure, we have constructed thousands of high-quality, complex projects for our customers and communities over more than 60 years, in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia.

The work you’ll do will have a tangible positive impact on people’s lives, including yours. The diversity of our projects, roles and locations means greater development opportunities. We invest in our people to set and reach personal and professional goals and we have some of the best mentoring minds in the business to help you do that. Because when you grow, we all grow.

McConnell Dowell actively seeks and celebrates diversity, inclusion, and individuality. In a culture low on ego and high on support, we encourage everyone to make an impact. We're big enough to take on community-shaping projects, but agile enough for you to have an influence on how we do things.

So, join us, be you, and help us create better together. Apply now!

We are an equal opportunity employer. People of all ages, abilities, sexual orientation, gender identities & cultures including Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islanders are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please note all successful applicants must hold valid work rights for Australia and pass a satisfactory pre-employment medical which includes drug and alcohol checks.

This role is being sourced through McConnell Dowell directly and not accepting applications via external recruitment agencies.