Operations Director - Planning

Overview

The Project

You’ll Be Responsible For

• Hold full accountability for the development and delivery of business plans, ensuring long-term planning success and alignment with company goals.
• Provide expert advice and oversight across complex projects, supporting service delivery and driving performance improvements.
• Build and maintain strong networks with senior stakeholders, championing Mace’s reputation and influence across the industry.
• Lead professional teams, delivering planning and schedule management services while driving technical excellence and continuous improvement.
• Shape organisational strategy by simplifying complex requirements, managing talent, and fostering trust through effective delegation and leadership.
• Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders to achieve net zero carbon transition goals, proactively managing emissions and reductions during project delivery.
• Partnering with talent acquisition to secure top PMOP talent and ensure high-quality, behaviour-aligned hiring.
• Embed Mace Way standards across MEA to deliver consistent, world-class service.
• Strengthen planning capability across the region through targeted training, coaching, and knowledge transfer.
• Build and lead the MEA Planning Community, connecting with global CoEs to share insights and best practices.
• Support career development, succession planning, promotions, and appraisal moderation.
• Contribute to work winning by supporting the bid teams with Planning and Scheduling requirements.
• Represent Mace with professionalism, leveraging strong technical expertise, leadership capability, and commercial awareness.

You’ll Need To Have

• Professional membership (APM, RICS, CIOB, ICE, or equivalent).
• Extensive planning and project management expertise in property or infrastructure.
• Deep understanding of Mace procedures and standards across Planning and other service lines.
• Strong commercial, financial, and stakeholder management acumen.
• Proven leadership of large, diverse teams, driving performance and sustainability outcomes.
• Broad experience spanning multiple market sectors and/or geographical regions.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to assure service delivery and generate meaningful, actionable insights.
• Advanced problem-solving capability, with a structured and analytical approach.
• Current knowledge of leading tools and technologies that enhance service line delivery.
• Strong external networking, collaboration, and business development capability, with the potential to represent Mace on industry or professional committees and boards.
• Skilled at engaging, motivating, and coaching people at all levels, consistently role modelling inspirational and inclusive leadership.
• Proven ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing teams.
• Adept at navigating organisational politics and cultural nuances with sensitivity and professionalism.
• Demonstrates strong empathy and emotional intelligence in all interactions.
• Capable of managing competing demands and balancing multiple priorities with composure and sound judgement.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen.
• Leadership and management experience of large, diverse teams.
• Experience of managing relationships with key senior stakeholders.
• Knowledge of how carbon and sustainability considerations will shape the outlook of the projects you are working on.
• 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 with-in the role.
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