Delivery Lead - Defence

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.

We are looking for an experienced Delivery Lead to join our Defence team in Reading, providing strategic leadership across major programmes, portfolios, and key client accounts. This role is critical in shaping delivery strategy, leading complex infrastructure programmes, and ensuring successful outcomes across safety, quality, commercial performance, and programme execution within a highly regulated environment. You will act as a trusted partner to senior stakeholders, driving alignment, strengthening client relationships, and leading high-performing teams, while ensuring robust governance and delivery across a complex, multi-stakeholder landscape.

Note: Due to the security requirements of the role, candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain UK security clearance.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Contribute to the strategic direction of the programme, ensuring alignment with the wider Integrated Capability (IC) vision and client objectives.
• Provide clear, structured reporting on programme performance, including schedule, cost, risk, and quality, to support informed decision-making.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks to ensure successful progression through governance and stage gate reviews.
• Embed and uphold robust safety, quality, and compliance standards, ensuring all activities align with corporate procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Lead the delivery of allocated work packages, ensuring alignment with programme objectives under the direction of senior project leadership.
• Develop and manage high-quality scope of works documentation to support procurement and effective delivery.
• Collaborate closely with subcontractors and delivery partners to ensure clarity of scope, expectations, and programme milestones.
• Lead and develop Senior Project Managers, providing guidance, oversight, and performance management to drive consistent delivery excellence.

You’ll need to have:

• Proven experience leading major programmes within complex, fast-paced and highly regulated environments.
• Strong technical capability, with the ability to interpret and contribute to engineering-focused discussions (mechanical, electrical, or control systems).
• In-depth understanding of product lifecycle planning and management principles.
• Ability to identify programme interfaces, dependencies, and critical path activities, and influence delivery outcomes.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across all organisational levels.
• Demonstrated ability to operate and lead effectively within a matrix environment, integrating cross-functional teams within client organisations.
• Engineering degree (or equivalent) with relevant professional membership, with SQEP status for nuclear engineering/design/project management roles (essential).

What’s on offer:

• Car allowance.
• Hybrid working.
• Medical health cover.
• Life insurance.
• Income protection insurance.
• Pension scheme.
• Discretionary annual salary reviews.
• Family friendly policies.
• 22 days annual leave + 2 Mace days + 3 days Christmas shutdown + 1 additional day leave for every 2 years of service + Bank holidays.

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.