Operations Director - Planning

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

Job summary

Mace seeks a Planning Lead to drive delivery across engines, hubs, or sectors, ensuring projects are thoroughly planned and governed. You will lead complex programmes, mentor teams, and provide strategic input to ensure successful bids and project outcomes.

The role requires senior planning experience, strong client facing skills, and the ability to work in a collaborative environment across internal/external stakeholders. The position is Peterborough-based with 2–3 days onsite.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Manage planning delivery across defined engines, sectors or hubs, ensuring projects and tenders are effectively planned, monitored and aligned to business objectives.
• Providing ethical, compliant leadership with full budgetary accountability, shaping long‑term functional strategy and sustainable business outcomes.
• Developing 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.
• Managing delivery of complex, multi‑sector projects, providing expert planning advice and continuous performance improvement.
• Championing the planning service with clients and industry, building strong partnerships and influencing strategic, commercial outcomes.
• Developing high‑performing teams, driving talent growth, trust, net zero delivery and bottom‑line results aligned to Group strategy.

Skills

Planning leadership

Schedule management

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Education

Degree in construction/PM

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Project

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.

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 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 an 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.
• Providing ethical, compliant leadership with full budgetary accountability, shaping long‑term functional strategy and sustainable business outcomes.
• Developing 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.
• Managing delivery of complex, multi‑sector projects, providing expert planning advice and continuous performance improvement.
• Championing the planning service with clients and industry, building strong partnerships and influencing strategic, commercial outcomes.
• Developing high‑performing teams, driving 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. 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.