Principal, Construction/Preconstruction

At Unispace, we create spaces that empower people and businesses to thrive. We are a global design-build partner delivering workplace and life sciences projects for some of the world’s most innovative brands.

With over 500 people across four continents, we bring together strategy, design, project management, and delivery into one seamless experience. Our integrated approach enables us to move with agility, solve complex challenges, and deliver meaningful outcomes for our clients.

Our people are at the centre of everything we do. We foster a collaborative, inclusive culture that values curiosity, accountability, creativity, and continuous improvement. We believe diverse perspectives strengthen our teams and help us create better experiences for our clients and each other.

At Unispace, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to impactful projects, work alongside talented global teams, and grow your career in an environment that encourages innovation and new ideas.

Principal, Delivery & Preconstruction

Zurich, Switzerland

At Unispace, we bring strategy, design, preconstruction and delivery together under one integrated model, creating exceptional spaces for some of the world’s most recognised brands.

We’re now looking for a Principal, Delivery & Preconstruction to join our Zurich leadership team - a key role responsible for leading both our preconstruction and project delivery functions across the studio.

This is a senior construction leadership role, but it’s also a hands-on one.

You’ll lead a team across both Preconstruction and Delivery, setting standards, driving commercial performance and ensuring our projects are positioned for success from the earliest feasibility and cost-planning stages through to final delivery.

You’ll have visibility across the full lifecycle of our projects - from estimating, cost planning, procurement and commercial strategy, through to construction, contracts, programme, risk and project performance.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll take overall responsibility for our Preconstruction and Delivery teams in Zurich, working closely with the Managing Director and wider studio leadership.

Across Preconstruction, you’ll oversee estimating, feasibility, cost planning, procurement strategy and subcontractor engagement, ensuring every project starts with a robust commercial foundation.

Across Delivery, you’ll provide senior oversight across our live projects, supporting Project Managers, resolving complex issues and ensuring projects are delivered safely, profitably and to the highest standards.

You’ll also:

• Lead and develop a team of around six across Preconstruction and Delivery
• Establish clear standards across project management, commercial management and construction delivery
• Review and challenge project cost plans, budgets and commercial strategies
• Oversee tendering, subcontractor selection and procurement
• Ensure the right commercial and contractual approach is established from the outset
• Maintain visibility of project risk, margin, programme and forecasting
• Act as a senior escalation point across live projects
• Build strong relationships with clients, subcontractors and delivery partners
• Support the continued growth and development of our Zurich studio

What we’re looking for

The most important thing for us is a genuine commercial fit-out background.

You may have worked across workplace, hospitality, retail or other commercial interior environments, but a significant part of your career needs to have been spent delivering fit-out projects.

Experience within a Design & Build or similarly commercially led fit-out environment would be particularly valuable.

You’ll bring strong experience across both the commercial and operational sides of construction, including:

• Commercial interior fit-out
• Preconstruction and estimating
• Cost planning and project budgeting
• Procurement and subcontractor management
• Contract and commercial management
• Project and construction delivery
• Risk, forecasting and profitability
• Leadership and development of project teams

You’ll be comfortable moving between the strategic and the detailed - leading people and setting direction, while still being able to challenge a cost plan, interrogate a tender, review the commercial position of a project or step into a delivery issue when required.

Your current title could be Project Director, Construction Director, Preconstruction Director, Senior Project Manager, Branch Director, Head of Design & Build or something completely different.

For us, the experience behind the title is what matters.

If you’ve built your career around commercial interiors and fit-out in Zurich, understand how to set a project up commercially and know what it takes to deliver it successfully on site, we’d love to hear from you.

Join Unispace and help shape the next phase of our Delivery and Preconstruction capability in Zurich.

The statements in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this role. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required.

We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process and employment lifecycle where required by applicable law.

Inclusion & Diversity

At Unispace, we believe diverse perspectives strengthen our teams, our culture, and the work we deliver for our clients. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with respect and has the opportunity to thrive.

Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, in accordance with applicable local laws and regulations.