Associate Director - FM Operational Readiness in London

At Turner & Townsend we are passionate about making a difference. That means delivering better outcomes for our clients, helping our people to realise their potential, and doing our part to create a prosperous society. For over 75 years we have been helping our clients deliver on their objectives. Our success at realising outcomes for clients has resulted in significant growth and we are now facing a new wave of growth to achieve our ambitious 2025 vision. To reach this goal, we need great people who are passionate about both delivering great outcomes to our clients and contributing to our future vision. This is made entirely possible through our entrepreneurial culture, allowing employees of all levels to directly influence the business and to own their career.

Within the Real Estate Programme Services division at Turner & Townsend, the Real Estate Advisory team comprises experts in workplace consulting, change management, corporate real estate, and facilities management. We deliver some of the world’s largest programmes and projects for a market‑leading client base across both the public and private sectors. Our mission is to unlock the full potential of our clients’ real estate and drive transformational change.

Within our Technical Real Estate Advisory team, we provide specialist Facilities Management (FM) consultancy across the full asset lifecycle. This role sits at the forefront of FM Operational Readiness and Transition, supporting major clients in moving from construction completion into a safe, compliant, and fully operational environment. You will lead the FM design review, mobilisation, and transition of FM service models for new and refurbished facilities across sectors including technology, financial services, government, and healthcare.

You will play a critical leadership role in shaping and growing our Operational Readiness offering, leading complex client engagements while driving business growth and developing high‑performing teams.

Our Operational Readiness Services Include:

• Operational Readiness strategy and mobilisation planning
• Government Soft Landings (GSL) and transition assurance
• CAFM / IWMS mobilisation and deployment
• Statutory compliance readiness and assurance
• FM contract mobilisation and supplier onboarding
• Operational policies, procedures, and playbooks
• Training, handover, and operational integration
• Post‑occupancy and performance optimisation

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Delivery: Lead and take accountability for end‑to‑end operational readiness and Government Soft Landings programmes, ensuring assets are safe, compliant, and fully operational at handover. Provide strategic oversight across multiple projects, ensuring consistent application of best practice in readiness, transition, and mobilisation. Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, including developers, operators, and end users. Lead design reviews, asset reviews, and readiness assurance activities, ensuring operational risks are identified and mitigated early.
• Operational Readiness Planning & Governance: Develop and implement a comprehensive Operational Readiness Plan aligned to project milestones and operational objectives, including governance, KPIs, milestones, risk management, and readiness criteria. Provide regular reporting, readiness assessments, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Transition Management & Stakeholder Coordination: Act as the key interface between project, engineering, construction, commissioning, and operations teams to ensure all operational requirements are embedded and a seamless transition to operations is achieved. Lead FM mobilisation, including service partner procurement, onboarding, and performance frameworks. Support recruitment, training, and development of operational teams, including scheduling, retention strategies, and competency alignment.
• Asset, Systems & Documentation Readiness: Oversee asset information handover and ensure all operational documentation (O&M manuals, permits, start‑up plans) is complete, accurate, and integrated into CAFM/IWMS systems. Ensure all procedures, systems, and documentation are in place and validated prior to handover.
• Compliance, Safety & Operational Assurance: Ensure full statutory and regulatory compliance (including fire and life safety) ahead of day one operations. Conduct inspections and readiness assessments to confirm systems, equipment, and personnel are fully operational and compliant.
• Maintenance Strategy & Operational Integration: Validate maintenance strategies and ensure alignment with asset lifecycle and reliability requirements. Deliver SOPs, support soft landings, and coordinate training and familiarisation to enable smooth operational integration. Establish and monitor readiness metrics and KPIs, prepare detailed reports, and drive continuous improvement through lessons learned and best practice implementation.
• Business Development & Growth: Drive growth of the Operational Readiness service line, identifying opportunities and converting pipeline. Lead bid development, proposals, and client presentations with a clear and differentiated offering. Build strong client relationships to support repeat work and long‑term partnerships. Contribute to development of new propositions, tools, and methodologies. Line manage and develop consultants, building capability in operational readiness and FM advisory. Foster a high‑performing, collaborative team culture. Support recruitment and workforce planning aligned to growth in readiness services. Act as a role model, demonstrating leadership aligned to Turner & Townsend values.
• Commercial & Governance: Manage project financials, ensuring strong commercial performance and profitability. Maintain oversight of risk, quality assurance, and governance across commissions. Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to integrate FM readiness into wider project delivery.

You will demonstrate:

• Strong understanding of asset handover, commissioning, and transition into operations
• Expertise in CAFM / IWMS systems and asset data management
• Deep knowledge of FM operations, compliance, and maintenance strategies (e.g., SFG20)
• Proven ability to lead design reviews, readiness assurance, and GSL activities.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
• Commercial awareness and experience managing complex programmes.

Education & Experience:

• Professional accreditation (e.g. IWFM, RICS, CIBSE or equivalent) is desirable
• Proven leadership experience within FM advisory, operational readiness, or consultancy
• Strong track record in mobilisation and transition
• Experience of business development and winning work
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project, Visio)

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to effect change. We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work‑life balance.

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.