Pre-Construction Manager - Social Housing

Who Are We

Cardo Group is a trusted provider of building maintenance, refurbishment, and retrofit services for social housing and public sector buildings across the UK. With nationwide coverage and skilled local teams, we deliver a reliable end-to-end service that ensures homes and public spaces are safe, sustainable, and well-maintained.

We specialise in responsive repairs and voids, planned maintenance, energy-efficiency upgrades, compliance works, and major improvement programmes. Our approach combines quality workmanship, strong resident communication, and efficient project delivery to achieve the best outcomes for customers and communities.

Driven by ambitious growth plans, we continue to expand our capabilities and adapt to the evolving needs of our clients. Our reputation is built on consistent service delivery, trusted partnerships, and a commitment to doing things the right way. As we grow, so do the opportunities - for our people, our clients, and the communities we support.

Cardo Group is becoming one of the UK's most forward-thinking maintenance and retrofit providers. Do you want to be part of something great?

We are currently recruiting for a Pre Construction Manager to join our team in Hemel Hempstead.

Role Overview

The Pre-Construction Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating all pre-construction activities to ensure projects are fully planned, compliant, accurately scoped and ready for successful mobilisation. The role provides leadership across data, systems, surveying, resident engagement and programme planning, ensuring that robust information is available to support investment decisions and operational delivery. The post holder will hold internal teams and external partners accountable for delivering high-quality pre-construction outputs that minimise risk, maximise efficiency and provide an excellent resident experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and hold teams accountable for the accuracy, governance and maintenance of pre-construction data and management systems.
• Ensure stock condition, survey and programme data is complete, reliable and supports informed decision making.
• Drive continuous improvement in data quality and reporting processes.
• Manage all pre-construction activities from project inception through to mobilisation.
• Oversee resident engagement, Section 20 consultation processes, intrusive and validation surveys, design development and project readiness.
• Ensure statutory, contractual and client requirements are met before works commence.
• Ensure compliance is managed with building safety regulations.
• Develop and maintain reporting suites and dashboards to provide clear visibility of programme progress, risks, dependencies and readiness.
• Produce regular performance reports for senior leadership, highlighting key milestones, issues and mitigation plans.
• Monitor KPIs and drive accountability across delivery teams.
• Manage programme development by aligning works planning with stock condition data, asset intelligence and operational priorities.
• Validate project scope, sequencing and investment requirements to ensure programmes are deliverable and provide value for money.
• Identify risks, dependencies and opportunities to optimise programme delivery.
• Identify and produce capital investment programmes to reduce reactive work volumes.
• Build effective relationships with operational teams, commercial teams, residents, consultants and client representatives.
• Provide leadership across pre-construction activities, ensuring clear ownership, accountability and collaborative working.

Drive continuous improvement, standardisation and best practice across all pre-construction processes.

You Will Need

• Significant experience managing pre-construction activities within social housing, planned maintenance or property services.

• Strong understanding of Section 20 consultation requirements, resident engagement and mobilisation processes.
• Experience managing stock condition data, asset information and investment programmes.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and translate it into meaningful management information.
• Experience developing reporting suites, dashboards and performance metrics.
• Strong programme planning and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Proven ability to hold teams and stakeholders accountable for delivery and performance.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience working across operational, commercial and client teams.
• Strong knowledge of housing compliance, planned investment and mobilisation processes.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Power BI and asset management or housing management systems.
• A collaborative leadership style with a focus on continuous improvement, problem solving and delivering excellent customer outcomes.
• Knowledge of applying building safety regulations to works
• Knowledge of competent persons schemes.

Key Attributes

• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and competing priorities.
• Strong leadership skills, with the confidence to hold teams and stakeholders accountable for delivery and performance.
• Excellent problem-solving ability, using data and evidence to make informed decisions.
• Collaborative and relationship-focused, able to build credibility across clients, operational teams and supply chain partners.
• Proactive and forward-thinking, identifying risks early and implementing effective mitigation plans.
• Customer-focused, with a commitment to delivering positive outcomes for residents throughout the pre-construction process.
• Commercially aware, understanding the impact of programme decisions on cost, quality and delivery.
• Detail-oriented, ensuring accuracy in data, reporting and project planning.
• Resilient and adaptable, able to respond positively to changing priorities and business needs.
• Committed to continuous improvement, challenging existing processes and driving efficiencies through innovation and best practice.
• Strong communicator, able to present complex information clearly and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
• Results-driven, with a focus on delivering high-quality, compliant and mobilisation-ready programmes on time and to the required standard.

We Will Provide

• Excellent development and progression opportunities
• 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays
• Range of Salary Sacrifice Schemes [holiday purchase, EV schemes, AVC Pension contributions]
• Life Assurance cover
• Wellbeing Resources and Counselling services
• Retail & Lifestyle Discount Platform
• Enhanced Family Leave Provisions
• Recognition initiatives and awards
• Occupational Sick Pay

Please note all our roles are subject to Background, Identity & Security checks before commencement of employment.

Why Join Cardo Group?

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. Diverse perspectives strengthen our business, drive innovation, and help us better serve the communities we work with.

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is rooted in our core values:

• Teamwork - We collaborate, support one another, and achieve more together.
• Integrity - We act with honesty, fairness, and transparency in everything we do.
• Excellence - We set high standards and deliver quality for our people and our customers.
• Respect - We value every individual and create a space where all voices are heard.

We ensure fair opportunities, embrace diverse backgrounds and experiences, and foster a culture where everyone truly belongs.

Join us on our ambitious, exciting, and inclusive journey.