Location
Central London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
At Mace, our purpose is to redefine the boundaries of ambition. We believe in creating places that are responsible, bringing transformative impact to our people, communities and societies across the globe. This role is based on a major Life Sciences project in Oxford.

As Operations Director - Project Management, you will lead the delivery of key assignments and oversee the implementation of major project strategies, providing strategic direction and monitoring delivery aligned with overall vision and objectives. You will promote Mace's value of Safety First by exhibiting visible safety behaviours, sharing lessons learned, and supporting the safety and wellbeing of all staff.

You will be responsible for assembling project team resources, including external specialists and recruitment, improving performance from the bid baseline by optimising multi-disciplinary resources, and converting the client’s vision into a deliverable plan that incorporates Construction to Production (C2P), Net Zero Carbon, and Digital & Data innovation.

As the primary contact for Mace’s executive team engagement, you will ensure efficient governance to support project activities, manage key client relationships, and oversee CRM across multiple geographies. You will be accountable for maintaining exceptional safety, quality, cost, programme, sustainability, and project compliance standards, as well as full service excellence.

You will establish and influence the correct Build Strategy and C2P plan for procurement and execution, create and nurture a high-performing and inclusive team environment, and promote quality and service excellence in all project interactions. You will ensure effective risk management strategies are in place, connect the wider business strategy to the project team, and lead key internal and external project review meetings.

Networking within the Mace Group and Centres of Excellence to support project delivery, promoting knowledge and resource sharing, and ensuring operations are fiscally and ethically viable are key responsibilities. You will build and maintain internal and external relationships to foster growth and increase networks.

This role requires regional expertise and influence over long-term strategy development for the function or Business Unit, with decisions carrying considerable financial, commercial, or reputational risk. You will typically be a formal member of the sector senior leadership team.

You will work collaboratively towards net zero carbon transition, proactively managing associated carbon emissions and reductions during project delivery.

Experience
- Proven track record in procuring and delivering large or complex projects and teams
- Advanced technical understanding of project management practices, construction methodologies, sequencing, and logic
- Full budgetary oversight including profit plan and fee structure
- Advanced risk and opportunity management skills
- Strong problem solving and analytical skills across estimating, scheduling, procurement, contract administration, financial controls, and reporting
- Contract literate to a good standard
- Performance management experience to maintain a high-performance culture
- Advanced knowledge of Health Safety Executive (HSE) regulations or local equivalent
- Established and effective industry/sector-wide network of clients, consultants, and contractors
- Proven innovator with a record of implementing high-value innovations and improved ways of working
- Extensive sector and market-specific experience, knowledge, and contacts
- Extensive experience delivering major projects and programmes through all project phases
- Leadership and management capability to lead large teams

About you
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Confident presenter and public speaker with ability to engage audiences
- Effective appraisal and analytical skills supporting negotiations, problem solving, and conflict resolution
- Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Growth mindset promoting curiosity, high-quality contribution, and team collaboration
- Encourages awareness and inclusivity of colleagues from diverse technical, social, and cultural backgrounds
- Promotes sharing of best practices and lessons learnt
- Manages upwards effectively and constructively challenges senior leadership
- Leads others effectively, providing clear direction, coaching, and support
- Mentors and develops project teams and others, fostering a safe learning environment
- Adapts well to changing priorities and requirements
- Embraces new technology and supports others in adapting
- Acts ethically, legally, and responsibly, leading by example
- Understands personal strengths and weaknesses and balances skills accordingly
- Champions diversity and inclusivity
- Celebrates achievements to bolster morale

Qualifications
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in project management, construction-related discipline, or equivalent professional experience/apprenticeship
- Appropriate Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or global equivalent
- Professional memberships such as MCIOB, MAPM, MRICS, MICE, or equivalent local certification
- Relevant and commensurate technical, leadership, and management qualifications