Associate Director - Project Controls

Mace; Cobham; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction consultancy in Cobham is seeking a skilled Project Controls Manager to provide leadership in delivering high-performing PMO services. The ideal candidate will possess significant public-sector project experience and a strong leadership background. Responsibilities include driving strategic direction and mentoring teams while ensuring compliance and sustainability. This role offers potential flexibility in working hours, and the company values a diverse range of candidates. Candidates are encouraged to apply even if all requirements are not fully met.

Qualifications

• Experience in public-sector project and programme delivery.
• Strong capability in commercial, financial, and stakeholder management.
• Ability to lead large teams with sustainability awareness.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic direction for PMO and project controls services.
• Shape the long-term business strategy in alignment with company values.
• Mentor and develop talent within teams.
• Manage PMO strategy, governance, and framework effectively.
• Act as a trusted expert to clients and teams.
• Deliver high-performing teams and ensure compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Team mentoring

Commercial acumen

Sustainability awareness

Education

Professional membership (RICS, CIOB, APM, ICE)

Job description

Position status: This opportunity is for a secured role that is due to commence in February subject to approval. If you would like to be considered as we progress with this position, please click to apply.

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.

Provide leadership delivering comprehensive PMO and project controls services across commissions, guiding teams within the planning centre of excellence and collaborating with wider hubs and global offices to ensure consistent, high-quality performance and effective support to the business.

Notice

This role will be based from our clients site in Weybridge, Surrey 3 days per week. This role will require the successful candidate to pass both BPSS and SC clearance.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Driving strategic direction and best‑in‑class PMO and project controls services, strengthening industry relationships.
• Shape long‑term business strategy while upholding Mace values and accountability.
• Developing, mentoring and mobilising talent, fostering innovation, collaboration and continuous learning across teams.
• Managing PMO and project controls strategy, ensuring robust frameworks, governance and baseline management across scope, cost, schedule, risk and change.
• Directing clients, contractors and teams, acting as the trusted subject matter expert and adviser.
• Delivering high‑performing teams, mentoring junior talent and aligning with best practice.
• Ensuring compliance, effective reporting and support net‑zero delivery outcomes.

You’ll need to have:

• Professional membership (RICS, CIOB, APM, ICE) or equivalent development.
• Extensive public‑sector project and programme delivery experience.
• Strong commercial, financial and stakeholder management capability.
• Proven leadership of large teams with awareness of carbon and sustainability impacts.

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.

Please remember the Employee Referral Scheme and if there are any talented people you can recommend, just click the button and use the ‘Refer a friend’ feature found within the relevant job.