At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major projects in defence, ensuring smooth transitions and strong client relationships.
- Company: Mace, a dynamic consultancy and construction firm redefining ambition.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, medical cover, life insurance, and generous leave policies.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for professional growth and flexible working.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence while leading high-performing teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
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 Project Transition Lead to join our Defence team in Reading. This role plays a critical part in leading delivery across complex programmes, ensuring effective transition and integration while strengthening client relationships and driving sustainable business growth within highly regulated environments.
You will operate as a trusted senior leader to both clients and internal stakeholders, accountable for performance across safety, quality, commercial outcomes, programme delivery, and service excellence, while building and leading high-performing, inclusive teams.
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:
- Managing the delivery and transition of major programmes, portfolios, or accounts, setting and executing clear strategic direction.
- Owning and delivering projects of varying scale to support wider infrastructure and programme objectives.
- Driving integration across complex delivery environments, identifying and resolving transition challenges.
- Ensuring excellence across safety, quality, cost, programme, sustainability, and compliance standards.
- Translating client vision into deliverable strategies, embedding innovation across construction, production, digital and net zero initiatives.
- Establishing and influencing build strategies, procurement approaches, and execution plans.
- Setting and leading robust risk and opportunity management strategies across programme delivery.
- Building, leading, and developing high-performing, inclusive, multi-disciplinary teams.
- Optimising resources and driving performance against commercial and programme baselines.
- Strengthening client relationships and supporting business growth and account development.
- Managing senior governance forums, reporting, reviews, and strategic decision-making activities.
You’ll need to have:
- Proven experience leading large, complex projects or programmes within consultancy, construction, or regulated environments.
- Strong technical expertise in project management, delivery planning, and construction methodologies.
- Full commercial awareness, with experience managing budgets, contracts, and performance outcomes.
- Advanced stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at senior executive level.
- Strong understanding of risk and opportunity management within complex delivery environments.
- Degree in project management, construction, or a related discipline, with relevant professional accreditation (e.g. MCIOB, MAPM, MRICS, MICE).
- Demonstrated leadership capability, with experience driving strategic change, building teams, and supporting business growth.
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.
Project Transition Lead - Defence employer: Mace
Mace is an exceptional employer that prioritises safety, integrity, and client focus while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and inclusivity. As a Project Transition Lead in Reading, you will benefit from a hybrid working model, comprehensive health coverage, and generous leave policies, all within a dynamic environment that encourages professional growth and the development of high-performing teams. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the defence sector, where your expertise will be valued and your career can thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Transition Lead - Defence
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Mace and understanding our values. Think about how your experience aligns with our mission to deliver quality and build long-term client relationships. We want to see how you can contribute to our journey!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams or managed complex projects. We love hearing about your successes and how you’ve driven strategic change in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t hesitate to apply through our website! Even if you think you don’t meet every single requirement, we encourage you to throw your hat in the ring. You might just be the perfect fit for us, so let’s see what you’ve got!
We think you need these skills to ace Project Transition Lead - Defence
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Project Transition Lead role. Highlight your experience in managing complex projects and your ability to drive integration across delivery environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for our Defence team. Share specific examples of how you've led successful transitions and built strong client relationships in regulated environments.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see your leadership capabilities shine through in your application. Mention any experience you have in building high-performing teams and driving strategic change, as these are key aspects of the role.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it reaches the right people in our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mace
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the projects you've led in the past. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and the outcomes. This will show your depth of experience and ability to manage complex programmes.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Savvy
Prepare examples that highlight your advanced stakeholder management skills. Think about times when you influenced senior executives or navigated tricky client relationships. This will help illustrate your communication prowess and ability to build strong connections.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be ready to talk about your leadership approach, especially in building high-performing teams. Share anecdotes that reflect your ability to inspire and develop inclusive teams, as this aligns with the values of the company you're interviewing with.
✨Align with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with Mace's core values: safety, client focus, integrity, and creating opportunities. During the interview, weave these values into your responses to demonstrate that you not only understand their culture but also embody it in your work.
