Head of Pre-Construction

Because we strive to put people first.  

Culture, our way. 

Property Operations at Primark

What’s a career at Primark all about? The positive impact you’re making, the experiences you’re having and the people you’re with. You’re our inspiration. Embrace what sets you apart, own your career and develop in ways you never expected. Leave your mark. And do it your way

What You’ll Do

We're looking for an experienced Head of Pre-Construction to lead the strategy, governance and planning activities that shape how Primark delivers projects across its global store estate. In this role, you'll define and embed a consistent pre-construction approach across new stores, refurbishments and major investment programmes, ensuring projects are commercially viable, fully risk-assessed and positioned for successful delivery. You'll play a critical role in supporting investment decisions and driving the standards, processes and governance that underpin our property pipeline.

Working closely with Property, Construction, Finance and Operations teams, you'll bring together programme planning, cost management, design, feasibility and tendering into a single aligned strategy. You'll provide leadership across architecture, quantity surveying and feasibility functions, ensuring projects are planned with cost certainty, robust programmes and effective risk management while supporting Primark's long-term growth ambitions.

You'll also lead the ongoing development of the GURU platform, ensuring it remains the single source of truth for project planning, reporting and decision-making across the portfolio. Working with senior leaders across the business, you'll lead a high-performing team and play a key role in shaping the future of Primark's global property investment programme.

In your role, you’ll collaborate with different people across a range of skillsets. Here’s a flavour of your day-to-day:

• Lead and oversee Primark's pre-construction activities across new stores, refurbishments and major capital projects, ensuring schemes are set up for successful delivery.
• Drive the development of tender submissions and delivery strategies, ensuring alignment with commercial objectives, programme requirements and risk considerations.
• Oversee estimating, cost planning and benchmarking activities, ensuring cost certainty, transparency and value throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead design coordination during pre-construction, ensuring proposals are fully developed, buildable and aligned to operational and commercial requirements.
• Provide strategic guidance on feasibility, programme planning and delivery approaches, supporting key investment and project approval decisions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with landlords, consultants and professional partners, ensuring the right expertise is in place to support project success.
• Identify and manage key commercial, design and delivery risks, implementing robust governance and mitigation strategies from the earliest project stages.
• Champion quality, sustainability and continuous improvement across the pre-construction function, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently and with a right-first-time approach.

What You’ll Bring  

We want every person in our organisation to feel like they’re making a key contribution. Here are some of the experiences and skills you’ll need for the role:

• 10+ years' pre-construction experience, with a proven track record of delivering commercially robust and operationally viable solutions.
• 5+ years’ operating at Head of or senior leadership level within a complex retail, property, construction or multi-site environment.
• Extensive experience leading feasibility, planning, cost management, design coordination and tendering activities across a diverse project portfolio.
• Demonstrated success delivering projects ranging from smaller works programmes to large-scale capital investments exceeding £20m.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and influence at Executive level, as well as across external consultants and partners.
• Experience establishing governance, standards and best-practice processes that drive consistency, efficiency and quality.
• Proven ability to build, lead and develop high-performing teams, creating a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

What You’ll Get

People are at the heart of what we do here, so it’s essential we provide you with the right environment to perform at your very best. Let’s talk lifestyle:   

Let’s talk lifestyle: Healthcare, pension, and potential bonus. 27 days of leave, plus bank holidays and if you want, you can buy 5 more. Because Primark is all about tailoring to you, we offer Tax Saver Tickets, fitness centre, and a subsidised cafeteria. 

Does this sound like you? Great, because we can’t wait to see what you’ll bring. You’ll be supported within a team of equally capable people, celebrating who you are and aiding you reach your potential. At Primark, we’re excited about our future - and we’re excited to develop yours.  

About Primark 

Primark was founded on a mission that everyone deserves to look and feel good – without paying more. We stand for great value without compromise, offering affordable fashion and everyday essentials that are made to last. Founded in Ireland in 1969, Primark is now an international fashion retailer with more than 470 stores across 18 countries in Europe, the US and the Middle East, employing more than 80,000 colleagues. Millions of shopper’s trust Primark every week for everything from everyday essentials like t-shirts and socks, to the latest fashion trends – all at unbeatable prices.

Primark is built on a belief and passion for physical stores – helping to bring high streets and retail centres to life and creating joyful, social experiences. The company is focused on driving positive change by giving clothing a longer life, protecting life on the planet and supporting the livelihoods of the people who make Primark clothes.