Operations Director - PMO / Project Controls Lead - Defence

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

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Hybrid working

Medical health cover

Life insurance

Income protection insurance

Pension scheme

Discretionary annual salary reviews

Family friendly policies

Leave entitlements: 22 days + 2 Mace +

Job summary

Mace is seeking a Project Controls Lead to join the Defence team in Preston, driving robust controls and governance for a major, long-term programme in air system and defence environments. You will establish baselines, provide performance insights and support assurance activities in a secure setting.

With responsibility for planning, cost control, risk and reporting, the role requires leadership of the Project Controls/PMO team and collaboration with multiple partners.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in a related discipline (project management, engineering, construction management, quantity surveying, commercial management).
• Experience leading project controls or PMO in major programmes, ideally in regulated/defence environments.
• Proven capability across planning, cost control, risk management, change control and performance reporting.
• Experience implementing project controls governance, standards and toolsets across multi-partner delivery.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with ability to influence at senior levels.
• Willingness to work from Preston/Lancashire area.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain UK security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and continuously improve project controls standards, processes and tools (planning, cost, risk, change, reporting).
• Own integrated baselines and forecasts across the programme with traceability and auditability.
• Drive programme performance reporting: progress, milestones, schedule health, cost performance and earned value where applicable.
• Manage programme-level risk and opportunity governance with clear ownership and mitigation actions.
• Provide leadership to the Project Controls and PMO team, including coaching and resource allocation.
• Support assurance activities, audits and gateway reviews with high-quality evidence and analysis.

Skills

Project controls leadership

Planning

Cost control

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition.

We are looking to appoint a Project Controls Lead to join our Defence team in Preston, supporting the delivery of a major, long‑term programme operating within air system and Defence environments. Working in a secure and highly regulated setting, this role sits within an Integrated Client Team and will play a key role in establishing robust programme controls, providing clear performance insight and enabling assured delivery across complex technical workstreams. This role is due to commence in late autumn to early winter.

Note: Due to the security requirements of the role, candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain UK security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Managing the development, implementation and continuous improvement of project controls standards, processes and tools, including planning, cost, risk, change and reporting.
• Owning and assuring integrated baselines and forecasts across the programme, ensuring consistency, traceability and auditability.
• Driving programme performance reporting, including progress, milestones, schedule health, cost performance and earned value where applicable, providing clear insight and early warning of emerging risks or adverse trends.
• Managing programme‑level risk and opportunity management, ensuring robust governance, clear ownership and effective mitigation strategies are in place.
• Providing leadership to the Project Controls and PMO team, including coaching, development and effective resource allocation aligned to programme priorities.
• Supporting programme assurance activities, audits and gateway reviews, by providing high‑quality evidence, analysis and recommendations for corrective action.

Qualifications

• A degree or equivalent qualification in project management, engineering, construction management, quantity surveying, commercial management or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Strong experience leading project controls or PMO functions within major programmes, ideally in regulated or high assurance environments such as defence, aviation, nuclear or major infrastructure.
• Proven capability across planning, cost control, risk management, change control and performance reporting.
• Experience implementing project controls governance, standards and toolsets across multi‑partner delivery environments.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with confidence operating and influencing at senior levels.
• Flexibility and willingness to work from the Preston or Lancashire area as required.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain UK security clearance.

Benefits

• Car allowance.
• Hybrid working.
• Medical health cover.
• Life insurance.
• Income protection insurance.
• Pension scheme.
• Discretionary annual salary reviews.
• Family friendly policies.
• 22 days annual leave + 2 Mace days + 3 days Christmas shutdown + 1 additional day leave for every 2 years of service + Bank holidays.

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.