Business Planning and Performance Director in Leatherhead

Are you ready to take up a vital role in shaping some of our exciting projects? How about joining our talented team, where everyone has a voice, and together we face our clients' problems head‑on. It's a diverse and inclusive work environment where world‑class talent knows no distinctions. We know that different people have different priorities, which is why we’re here to support you. Flexible and remote working is a central part of our culture. So, talk to us about what’s ideal for you – from reduced weeks to buying more leave over school holidays. And if you’re returning from a career break, ask us how we can help you transition back into work with us.

AtkinsRéalis, Balfour Beatty and Egis Road Operations UK are part of a consortium, creating Connect Plus Services, a unique partnership with a collective strength in highways asset care from finance, through to design, build, maintenance as well as day‑to‑day operation. Connect Plus Services (CPS) is the consortium that manages the 30‑year National Highways flagship M25 DBFO contract, with over 140,000 assets and a management system certified to ISO55001.

This role is for a results‑driven strategic leader who will lead with vision, plan with purpose, and drive growth that inspires. The Business Planning and Performance (BP&P) directorate is responsible for leading the definition and management of the CPS strategy and priorities, ensuring effective risk management and setting the budget, commercial plans and considering the relationship with stakeholders while understanding the complexities of our long‑term hand‑back responsibilities.

• Set the overarching direction for CPS and drive digital capability improvements to ensure successful delivery of CPS contract hand‑back obligations.
• Guide the Performance Quality & Improvement team to effectively achieve designated business objectives.
• Oversee establishment of CPS business Enterprise Risk Management to ensure business continuity is assured and opportunity is embraced.
• Maintain the relevance of the Customer and Business Strategies to address the evolving demands of the network, our clients (National Highways and Connect Plus), JV Parent Companies and our road users.
• Prioritise client management and relationships, aiming to extract maximum value and alignment with the Parent Companies within the JV Partnership.
• Lead the BP&P team to drive high performance and continuous improvement across the business aligned to the business strategy and plans.

In SLT role, responsible for financial performance associated with BP&P team and approve budget setting for CPS.

In SLT role, responsible for the teams under the BP&P and holding all teams to account on business objectives. Allocated responsibility for relationships with leaders in our clients Connect Plus (CP) and National Highways (NH) plus Parent Company & JV Partner Board members. Foster, empower and sustain a high‑performing team dedicated to exceeding contract performance expectations.

Define and regularly review CPS business plans considering current challenges, future opportunities, and evolving stakeholder requirements. Build change capability across CPS and support the delivery of major change programmes. Lead the enhancement, delivery and adoption of data and digital capability for CPS. Develop business performance management and risk reporting, tracking business performance trend analysis against plans and address issues promptly and efficiently. Manage all Stakeholder and Customer relationships, including NH, CP and road users. Prepare and review strategy and annual plan to manage Handback and contractual obligations. Ensure Enterprise Risk is appropriately managed and communicated to the executive level within CPS (Senior Leadership Team and CPS Board) while educating and influencing on the risk‑based decision culture in CPS. Holding business leaders accountable and closely monitoring performance and risk against our customer satisfaction, strategic business and contractual obligations. Building strong working relationships with fellow senior managers to enhance collaboration across teams. Demonstrate a deep understanding of safety and wellbeing standards and able to communicate with enthusiasm and credibility to inspire and energise the team towards achieving our goals.

A relevant professional qualification and ideally Chartered / Incorporated status with a recognised and relevant UK institution. Demonstrable effective leadership skills to inspire teams, foster collaboration and drive innovation and continuous improvement. Proven competencies in setting successful and aligned business strategies in a dynamic environment. Proven capability to deliver digital change leadership. Detailed knowledge of Digital Information techniques in an infrastructure asset management environment. Proven experience of delivering effective risk‑based decision strategies. Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders. Excellent communication skills to translate the CPS vision, strategies and goals to all levels of the organisation. Champions curiosity and continuous improvement, role‑modeling change and managing risks to achieve project outcomes. Role models positive and energized project‑focused attitudes towards and continuous improvement. Seeks and advocates improvements to add value and drive continuous performance. Encourages a culture of skillful challenging and seeks to understand and explore challenge to enable improvement. Builds commitment and consensus, and role models CPS leadership behaviours to deliver our goals.

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong – a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.