Operations Director - Planning

About the Role

You will work within capital delivery, collaborating with project teams and a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. You will be responsible for the simultaneous delivery of several water and water‑recycling projects within the AMP8 programme, ensuring compliance with client governance procedures, risk, cost, and change control. The role includes managing the delivery of the planning function to achieve strategic outcomes and KPIs across an engine, hub, or major sector, providing strong leadership to senior teams, and continuously improving project planning, monitoring, and delivery. Key responsibilities include managing planning delivery across defined engines, sectors or hubs; providing ethical, budget‑accountable leadership; developing high‑performing inclusive teams; overseeing business planning performance; delivering complex multi‑sector projects with expert planning advice; championing the planning service with clients and industry; and driving talent growth, net‑zero delivery, and bottom‑line results aligned to Group strategy. • Manage planning delivery across engines, sectors, or hubs, ensuring projects and tenders are effectively planned, monitored, and aligned to business objectives. • Provide ethical, compliant leadership with full budgetary accountability and shape long‑term functional strategy. • Develop high‑performing, inclusive teams through mentoring, talent development, innovation, and knowledge sharing. • Oversee business planning and long‑term performance for engines, hubs, or major sectors. • Deliver complex multi‑sector projects, offering expert planning advice and driving continuous performance improvement. • Champion the planning service with clients and industry, building strong partnerships and influencing strategic and commercial outcomes. • Drive talent growth, net‑zero delivery, and bottom‑line results aligned with Group strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸planning delivery
• ▸project delivery
• ▸risk management
• ▸cost control
• ▸client engagement
• ▸team development

What You Bring

Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey. Please note: this role is based in Peterborough 2‑3 days per week. The successful Planning Lead will have experience managing a team of planners and possess client‑facing skills within the construction/infrastructure sector. The ideal candidate holds a degree or equivalent professional experience in construction, project, programme or commercial management, has significant planning leadership experience on large, complex construction programmes, possesses expert knowledge of planning systems and integrated project controls, and demonstrates strong leadership, commercial acumen, and the ability to manage large multi‑disciplinary teams across locations. • Hold a degree or equivalent experience in construction, project, programme, or commercial management. • Possess significant planning leadership experience on large, complex construction programmes. • Demonstrate expert knowledge of planning systems, schedule management tools, and integrated project controls. • Exhibit strong leadership, commercial acumen, and the ability to manage large multi‑disciplinary teams across locations.

Requirements

• ▸degree
• ▸planning leadership
• ▸planning systems
• ▸leadership
• ▸commercial acumen
• ▸client facing

Benefits

Mace is an inclusive employer welcoming diverse candidates and offers part‑time, flexible, and hybrid working options where suitable. Employees are encouraged to use the Employee Referral Scheme to recommend talented individuals.

Work Environment

Hybrid