Programme Lead - Rail

Overview 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.

The project: With continued growth in infrastructure, we have a demand for experienced professionals in aviation in our Mobility Business Sector. With sustained airline passenger growth in the UK and the recent government approvals, we have been appointed for one of the UK’s largest airports in the South East of England to deliver their high-profile airport expansion plans.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Programme Lead to join our team on a permanent basis. As Programme Lead you will be required to manage teams of senior direct reports, demonstrating effective leadership to ensure excellence in delivery against plans, championing a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities.

You’ll Be Responsible For:

• Managing the coordination and delivery of a major programme and overseeing the implementation of programme strategies, providing strategic direction and monitoring delivery in alignment with overall vision and objectives.
• Defining and implementing an appropriate programme delivery environment including people, organisation, process, information and technology.
• Determining and assembling the right project team with the right skills, experience, capabilities and technical competency, including any required external specialist appointments.
• Improving performance from the bid baseline by optimizing resources and monitoring, reviewing and evaluating activities, systems and methodologies.
• Acting as the public face of the programme to external stakeholders, chairing executive steering group meetings.
• Directing and maintaining exceptional safety, quality, cost, programme, sustainability, governance, risk, stakeholder management and programme compliance standards.
• Overseeing the development and maintenance of programme documentation, including process and procedures, plans, reports, registers, and lessons learned.
• Creating and nurturing a high-performing and inclusive team environment that encourages contribution and recognition.
• Conveying and connecting the wider business strategy to the programme team and promoting the associated initiatives.
• Ensuring operations are commercially and ethically viable, influencing the achievement of business objectives (including debt collection) and meeting organisational and legislative compliance obligations.

You’ll Need To Have:

• Proven leadership delivering new rail links on major infrastructure programmes, including multi‑party delivery models.
• Strong understanding of new rail route construction complexities and interfaces.
• Extensive experience working with DfT, TfL and Network Rail across programme lifecycles.
• Infrastructure sector expert with professional membership and capability to lead large teams to deliver complex programmes.

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.