Operations Director - Construction Programme Management (Delivery Lead)

Operations Director – Construction Programme Management (Delivery Lead)

Position status: This opportunity is for a secured role that is due to commence in December subject to approval. If you would like to be considered as we progress with this position, please click to apply.

At Mace, our purpose is to redefine the boundaries of ambition. We believe in creating places that are responsible, bringing transformative impact to our people, communities and societies across the globe. To learn more about our purpose, culture, and priorities, visit our strategy site.

Within our consult business, we harness our unique combination of leading-edge practical expertise and project delivery consultancy to unlock the potential in every project.

As delivery lead for the enabling sub-programme across the main site, the role is accountable for delivery of a number of new science, accommodation, maintenance, and storage facilities with associated demolitions to clear the site for the new major new science buildings. The projects are currently at a range of stages, from establishment through to detailed design and early works with delivery by single and 2-stage design and build contracts. The role will lead an integrated team across all functions, including designers and main contractors through design development, procurement, construction, transition/migration, handover, and subsequent demolitions ensuring an affordable, licensable, and deliverable solution that minimises impact on operations.

Working from the site near Weybridge, Surrey and in London, with some flexible working from home as appropriate, candidates will need to have experience of large scale project delivery, ideally in a delivery partner model and/or a highly regulated environment, managing through design and construction. Excellent communication, stakeholder, and interface management is essential. Experience of delivery of science and high containment solutions is highly desirable.

The project: Our client is looking to transform their campus and how they operate while maintaining a world-class science and research capability, retaining and developing specialist expertise, in a collaborative and health and safety conscious way. We are delivery partner on their complex, 10 to 15 year, multi-billion pound programme to redevelop their science campus near Weybridge in Surrey working collaboratively with the client and other partners for technical, cost assurance and technical assurance responsibilities. Delivery accountabilities span the full lifecycle of projects within the overall programme which encompasses sub-programmes for enabling, infrastructure and new science capability in a live environment on a site of national importance, maintaining logistics and operations at all times.

Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey, they are:

Safety first – Going home safe and well:

• You will be a leading advocate of Mace’s value of safety first, and be accountable for leading and maintaining exceptional safety, quality, cost, programme, sustainability and project compliance standards.
• You will possess advanced technical expertise in local health and safety rules and regulations relevant to project portfolio.
• You will champion a diverse and inclusive working environment, and understand the importance of the wellbeing of the people you manage.

Client focus – Deliver on our promise:

• You will lead the delivery of key assignments and defined business areas, providing strategic direction and monitoring delivery aligned with overall vision and objectives.
• You will own client relationships and be responsible for ensuring efficient governance to achieve our strategic priorities.
• You will be responsible for key client relationship management, including generating live prospects and leads.

Integrity – Always do the right thing:

• You will have full performance accountability and ensure operations are fiscally and ethically viable, and meet organisational and legislative compliance obligations.
• You will influence long term development of strategy for a function or business unit (BU), creating a sustainable business future.
• You will commit to making a positive impact for our people, our clients, and our planet, and take ownership for holding others to account who do not uphold the Mace values.

Create opportunity for our people to excel:

• You will mentor, coach, and develop your project team and provide an environment to share knowledge and experience.
• You will actively network, innovate, and seek understanding of best practice, utilising the full depth of knowledge of Mace group, the centres of excellence, Mace way control centre and knowledge hub.
• You will use your network to identify talent, lead recruitment, and manage the development, retention and mobility of people, and support our people to achieve their highest potential.

You’ll need to have:

• Leadership and management experience of large, diverse teams.
• Experience of managing relationships with key senior stakeholders.
• Strategic decision making capability and ability to negotiate at a high level.
• Proven experience and track record in the successful delivery phase of projects and programmes, ideally with containment experience.
• Deep property or infrastructure project management expertise.
• Advanced technical understanding of construction methodologies and project management practices.
• Highly effective communicator/presenter.
• Exceptional problem solving and analytical skills across the project lifecycle.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, contract literate, ideally with NEC4 experience.
• Performance management experience to ensure a high performance culture is maintained.
• Knowledge of how carbon and sustainability considerations will shape the outlook of the projects you are working on.
• CTC level clearance or above (ideally SC), or be able to achieve this level of clearance (e.g. must have lived in the UK for the last 3 years).

You’ll also have:

• Membership of RICS, CIOB, APM, ICE or equivalent demonstrable professional or personal development.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all of the criteria, please apply as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.

We are also open to discussing part-time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role.