Operations Director - Major Infrastructure Lead

Mace; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Mace is seeking an experienced leader in utilities project delivery based in Cambridge. This role involves driving strategic governance, managing client relationships, and ensuring sustainability outcomes. The ideal candidate has strong project delivery experience and professional membership in RICS, CIOB, APM, or ICE. Mace promotes a safe and inclusive working environment and is open to discussing flexible and hybrid working options.

Qualifications

• Strong project delivery experience in utilities and major infrastructure.
• Proven leadership with commercial acumen and senior stakeholder management.
• Knowledge of carbon, sustainability and their impact on project outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Driving strategic direction, governance and client relationships.
• Mentoring and developing teams to champion best practices.
• Managing major project delivery, governance and client engagement.
• Driving safety, quality, cost, programme and sustainability excellence.
• Building and managing high-performing teams.

Skills

Project delivery experience in utilities and major infrastructure

Leadership with commercial acumen

Stakeholder management

Knowledge of carbon and sustainability

Education

Professional membership (RICS, CIOB, APM, ICE)

Job description

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.

Overview

The project: Our client is the utilities provider in the South‑East geographic area. Their purpose is to deliver services in an environmentally sustainable, economically beneficial, and socially responsible manner and create sustainable long‑term value for all.

You will work within capital delivery, and you will work with project teams in a collaborative environment interacting positively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. You will be responsible for the simultaneous delivery of a number of water and water recycling projects and/or programmes within their AMP8 programme. The role will ensure our client’s project governance procedures are followed including risk, cost and change control and will work collaboratively with other teams across the business to deliver projects.

Managing the development and delivery of strategic management plans, strengthening stakeholder relationships and ensuring compliance and commercial excellence. Drives operational improvements, resource management and sustainable business growth through account development or sales. Responsible for achieving internal and external objectives on appointments of around £6m in Mace fee.

You’ll Be Responsible For

• Driving strategic direction, governance and client relationships, securing new opportunities and strengthening account performance.
• Ensuring ethical, financially sound operations and shape long‑term business strategy and sustainability outcomes.
• Mentoring and developing teams, champion best practice and support talent growth across the business.
• Managing major project delivery, governance and client engagement, converting strategic vision into actionable plans that leverage C2P, net zero and digital innovation.
• Driving safety, quality, cost, programme and sustainability excellence, ensuring robust risk, compliance and service‑delivery standards.
• Building and managing high‑performing teams, optimising resources and specialist expertise to enhance performance and outcomes.
• Shaping long‑term strategy, strengthening stakeholder relationships and ensuring ethical, commercially sound operations that support sustainable business growth.

You’ll Need To Have

• Professional membership (RICS, CIOB, APM, ICE) or equivalent development.
• Strong project delivery experience in utilities and major infrastructure.
• Proven leadership with commercial acumen and senior stakeholder management.
• Knowledge of carbon, sustainability and their impact on project outcomes.

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 within the role.