Operations Director - Commercial Consultancy (Third Party Agreements) - Utilities Sector in Cambridge

Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey.

Managing strategic commercial negotiations with utilities, authorities, and third parties across the Reservoirs Programme. Acts as the key commercial interface, managing complex agreements and stakeholder relationships. Applies expertise in infrastructure delivery, regulatory frameworks, and asset protection, driving successful outcomes through strong leadership, negotiation and cross-functional collaboration.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Strategic Commercial Governance and Agreement Framework
  • Developing and implementing a comprehensive Commercial Strategy for all third-party agreements (TPAs), ensuring alignment with the programmes schedule, undoing constraints and alignment with the consenting strategy justifying value for money for customers. The strategy will protect the programmes capital investment and long-term operational viability, with a focus on the eventual investment by an Infrastructure provider.
  • Working closely with our Legal/DCO functions to standardise Heads of Terms and commercial templates to ensure a consistent approach to negotiations and to mitigate the risk of disadvantageous precedents.
• Principal Negotiation and Agreement Execution
  • Managing the commercial engagement with external entities to secure the permissions and protections required for DCO consent, delivery and IP investment.
  • Acting as the lead negotiator and proactively manage complex negotiations with statutory undertakers (e.g., utility providers, network operators), local authorities and other third parties to secure signed agreements that facilitate programme commencement through a successful DCO application and Infrastructure provider investment.
• Regulatory Compliance and Statutory Interface
  • Ensuring the programmes commercial positions are defensible and compliant with statutory frameworks and regulatory obligations.
  • Managing the commercial resolution of any statutory objections, negotiating settlements that allow the programme to proceed while minimizing financial and operational exposure.
• Stakeholder Advocacy and Cross Functional Integration
  • Bridging the gap between technical engineering delivery and the commercial expectations of external and internal stakeholders.
  • Serving as the primary commercial point of contact for senior-level stakeholders, building the professional rapport necessary to navigate negotiations.
• Commercial Risk Mitigation and Financial Control
  • Maintaining comprehensive oversight of the financial liabilities and risks associated with the third-party agreement portfolio.
  • Maintaining a robust TPA Risk and Opportunity Register, providing senior leaders with quantitative analysis of potential financial exposure and contingent liabilities.
• Safer Every Day
  • Driving a culture of continuous improvement in Health and Safety (H&S), ensuring consistent H&S standards are maintained.
  • Ensuring completion of a full Induction to H&S in accordance with Company policies, procedures, standards or guidance.

You’ll need to have:

• Educated to degree level in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Planning Act or equivalent.
• Evidence of on-going management development and relevant personal development (Required)
• Experience in similar role at a similar level.
• Experience of working with the negotiation of third-party agreements.
• Experienced working across complex matrix teams.
• Experienced in building strong working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Success at creating an aligned culture focussed on high performance.
• Adept in use of standard forms of contract and implementing commercial strategies.
• Experience of working in a DCO/consenting environment.
• Experience of negotiating with entities such as Network Rail, National Highways and preferably Crown Estate.
• Experience of presenting to senior stakeholders.

Our values:

• Safety first - Going home safe and well: We champion a safe, diverse and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of wellbeing in every team.
• Client focus - Deliver on our promise: We own the quality of deliverables, strategic outcomes and build long term relationships with our clients.
• Integrity - Always do the right thing: We influence positive outcomes within our industry, while always aligning with our compliance obligations.
• Create opportunity - For our people to excel: We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all 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.