Operations Director - Planning

Mace; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Mace is seeking a Planning Lead in Greater London to oversee the delivery of water and water recycling projects. The role involves managing project governance and ensuring collaborative delivery across teams. The ideal candidate will have significant planning leadership experience, a degree in construction or related fields, and strong capabilities in client-facing roles. Mace offers flexibility in working arrangements and values inclusivity in its workforce.

Qualifications

• Significant planning leadership experience on large, complex projects.
• Expert knowledge of planning systems and tools.
• Ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage planning delivery across sectors ensuring alignment to business objectives.
• Provide leadership with full budget accountability for strategic outcomes.
• Develop inclusive teams through mentoring and talent development.
• Champion planning services with strong client partnerships.

Skills

Planning leadership

Client-facing skills

Team management

Commercial acumen

Education

Degree or equivalent in construction/project/programme management

Tools

Planning systems

Schedule management tools

Integrated project controls

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.

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.

Role Overview

You will work within capital delivery, collaborating with project teams, 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 clients project governance procedures are followed including risk, cost and change control and will work collaboratively with other teams across the business to deliver projects.

Manage delivery of the planning function to achieve strategic outcomes and KPIs across an engine, Hub or major sector. Provides strong leadership to senior teams, ensuring projects and tenders are effectively planned, monitored and continuously improved to deliver excellence aligned to wider business objectives.

Please note: This role will be based in Peterborough 2‑3 days per week. The successful Planning Lead will have experience of managing a team of planners and have client‑facing skills within the construction/infrastructure sector.

You’ll Be Responsible For

• Manage planning delivery across defined 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, shaping long‑term functional strategy and sustainable business outcomes.
• Develop high‑performing, inclusive teams through mentoring, talent development, innovation and knowledge‑sharing across the Mace group.
• Accountable for engine, hub or major sector business planning and long‑term planning performance aligned to wider company objectives.
• Manage delivery of complex, multi‑sector projects, providing expert planning advice and continuous performance improvement.
• Champion the planning service with clients and industry, building strong partnerships and influencing strategic, commercial outcomes.
• Drive talent growth, trust, net zero delivery and bottom‑line results aligned to Group strategy.

You’ll Need To Have

• Degree or equivalent professional experience in construction, project, programme or commercial management.
• Significant planning leadership experience on large, complex or landmark construction programmes.
• Expert knowledge of planning systems, schedule management tools and integrated project controls.
• Strong leadership, commercial acumen and capability to manage large, multi‑disciplinary teams across locations.

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.

We are also open to discussing part time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role.