Operations Director -Programme Management

About the role

Leads the coordination and delivery of a major programme and oversees the implementation of programme strategies, providing strategic direction and monitoring delivery in alignment with overall vision and objectives.

Accountable for defining and implementing an appropriate programme delivery environment including People, Organisation, Process, Information and Technology.

Responsible for determining and assembling the right project team with the right skills, experience, capabilities and technical competency, including any required external specialist appointments.

Improves performance from the bid baseline by optimizing resources and monitoring, reviewing and evaluating activities, systems and methodologies.

Relationship owner and primary contact for Executive team engagement.

Ensures efficient governance to support programme activities within the business and gains organizational support and commitment within the business, ensuring the achievement of strategic priorities.

Key client relationship management, interface, communication and constructive challenge, responsible for Client Relationship Management (CRM).

Acts as the public face of the programme to external stakeholders, chairing executive steering group meetings.

Accountable for leading and maintaining exceptional safety, quality, cost, programme, sustainability, governance, risk, stakeholder management and programme compliance standards.

Focuses on delivering programme benefits and outcomes.

Oversees the development and maintenance of programme documentation, including process and procedures, plans, reports, registers, and lessons learned.

Creates and nurtures a high-performing and inclusive team environment that encourages contribution and recognition.

Enherits, promotes and influences quality and Service Excellence in all conversations and programme interactions.

Safeguards the programme with an effective risk management strategy with appropriate management actions and risk treatments established.

Conveys and connects the wider business strategy to the programme team and promotes the associated initiatives.

Actively networks and utilizes the full depth and knowledge of the business and Centres of Excellence to support programme delivery.

Actively promotes knowledge share with others.

Ensures operations are commercially and ethically viable, influencing the achievement of business objectives (including debt collection) and meeting organizational and legislative compliance obligations.

Builds and maintains internal and external relationships (e.g. clients, contractors, consultancies and other stakeholders) to foster growth and increase networks.

Promotes Mace's value of Safety First, exhibiting visible safety behaviors, sharing lessons learned and using safety moments, safety tours and Mace's HSW framework, supports the safety and wellbeing of all Mace staff.

Works collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition, and shares responsibility for the proactive identification and management of the associated carbon emissions and reductions during the delivery of work.

Responsibilities

• Leads the coordination and delivery of a major programme and oversees the implementation of programme strategies, providing strategic direction and monitoring delivery in alignment with overall vision and objectives.
• Defines and implements an appropriate programme delivery environment including People, Organisation, Process, Information and Technology.
• Determines and assembles the right project team with the right skills, experience, capabilities and technical competency, including any required external specialist appointments.
• Improves performance from the bid baseline by optimizing resources and monitoring, reviewing and evaluating activities, systems and methodologies.
• Owns and manages the relationship with the Executive team.
• Ensures efficient governance to support programme activities within the business and gains organizational support and commitment within the business, ensuring the achievement of strategic priorities.
• Manages key client relationship management, interface, communication and constructive challenge, responsible for Client Relationship Management (CRM).
• Acts as the public face of the programme to external stakeholders, chairing executive steering group meetings.
• Ensures exceptional safety, quality, cost, programme, sustainability, governance, risk, stakeholder management and programme compliance standards.
• Focuses on delivering programme benefits and outcomes.
• Develops and maintains programme documentation, including process and procedures, plans, reports, registers, and lessons learned.
• Creates and nurtures a high-performing and inclusive team environment that encourages contribution and recognition.
• Influences quality and Service Excellence in all conversations and programme interactions.
• Safeguards the programme with an effective risk management strategy with appropriate management actions and risk treatments established.
• Connects the wider business strategy to the programme team and promotes the associated initiatives.
• Networks and utilizes the full depth and knowledge of the business and Centres of Excellence to support programme delivery.
• Promotes knowledge share with others.
• Ensures operations are commercially and ethically viable, influencing the achievement of business objectives (including debt collection) and meeting organizational and legislative compliance obligations.
• Builds and maintains internal and external relationships (e.g. clients, contractors, consultancies and other stakeholders) to foster growth and increase networks.
• Promotes Mace's value of Safety First, exhibiting visible safety behaviors, sharing lessons learned and using safety moments, safety tours and Mace's HSW framework, supports the safety and wellbeing of all Mace staff.
• Collaborates towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition, and shares responsibility for the proactive identification and management of the associated carbon emissions and reductions during the delivery of work.

Requirements

• Proven track record delivering major programmes across all project lifecycle phases.
• Advanced knowledge of programme management, programme controls, governance frameworks, and delivery procedures.
• Full budget management experience, including programme budgets and internal fee budgets.
• Advanced expertise in risk and opportunity management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills across estimating, scheduling, procurement, contract administration, financial controls, and reporting.
• Sound understanding of construction contracts and commercial management principles.
• Experience driving performance management and fostering high-performing teams.
• Ability to represent programmes and organizations with clients, public stakeholders, and industry partners.
• Advanced knowledge of HSE regulations and health & safety best practices.
• Strong leadership experience, including coaching, mentoring, and developing large multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to drive innovation, continuous improvement, and best practice adoption.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder environments and resolving conflicts effectively.

Qualifications

• Degree in Project Management, Construction Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline (or equivalent professional experience).
• Professional membership and/or chartership such as MAPM, MRICS, MICE, MCIOB, or equivalent preferred.
• Relevant Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent certification.

Skills

• Programme Management
• Project Controls
• Governance Frameworks
• Delivery Procedures
• Risk and Opportunity Management
• Construction Contracts and Commercial Management Principles
• Performance Management
• Leadership Experience
• Driving Innovation and Continuous Improvement
• Managing Complex Stakeholder Environments
• HSE Regulations and Health & Safety Best Practices

Benefits

• Opportunity to contribute to Mace's mission of creating places that are responsible.
• Work in a collaborative and inclusive environment that encourages contribution and recognition.
• Champion Mace's value of Safety First, exhibiting visible safety behaviors, sharing lessons learned and using safety moments, safety tours and Mace's HSW framework.
• Opportunity to collaborate towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition.

Pay

TBD

Schedule

TBD