Operations Director Project Controls

Mace; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Mace in New York is seeking an experienced PMO and Project Controls lead to drive performance on major construction commissions. You will design and implement PMO frameworks, oversee cost, schedule, change, and risk management, and act as a trusted advisor to clients and project teams.

You'll manage a multidisciplinary team, mentor junior staff, and deliver governance and reporting cycles. The role supports flexible, hybrid working and requires Chartered status or equivalent accreditation where

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading PMO and Project Controls on major construction programmes or portfolios, including within a management consultancy environment.
• Proven experience establishing and implementing PMO, Project Controls, governance and assurance frameworks and strategies.
• Strong understanding of the construction project lifecycle, including key dependencies, interfaces, risks and delivery challenges.
• Broad sector experience providing PMO and Project Controls leadership across complex environments such as rail, highways, nuclear, public sector and healthcare.
• Expert knowledge of PMO tools and systems, including Primavera P6, Aconex, Power BI and Microsoft Office, with experience using risk management tools such as Primavera Risk Analysis, Active Risk Manager or equivalent.
• Strong capability in risk management, analysis, problem solving and decision-making, including working effectively where solutions or outcomes involve significant uncertainty.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior internal and external stakeholders, consultants and delivery partners.
• Strong presentation, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly to different audiences.
• Demonstrated leadership capability, including leading, coaching, mentoring and developing multidisciplinary teams and creating an inclusive environment where individuals can perform effectively.
• Proven ability to adapt to changing priorities, identify opportunities for improvement and promote best practice, lessons learned and innovative ways of working, including the adoption of new technology.
• Strong commitment to professional integrity, accountability, collaboration, diversity and inclusion.
• Relevant university degree in construction, engineering, project management or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Chartered status or equivalent professional membership with a relevant institution, such as the Association for Project Management, is preferred.
• MSP, P3O, P3M3 or equivalent programme/portfolio management accreditation is desirable.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development and active engagement with relevant industry or professional bodies.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for the PMO and Project Controls Services performance on assigned commission/s.
• Creates/designs effective PMO and Project Controls framework/strategy/s.
• Manages and directs Clients, consultants, contractors, project team on all PMO and Project Controls management matters.
• Is a trusted advisor to and builds strong professional relationships with Client organisations.
• Acts as the PMO and Project Controls Subject Matter Expert on assigned project/s,/programme/portfolio/s.
• Leads and directs the Project team in the administration of the PMO and Project Controls process, particularly with respect to the cost, schedule, change, risk and reporting to achieve key objectives and the escalation of performance and management issues.
• Leads and directs periodic reporting and structured governance and performance meetings.
• Leads and directs the developing and managing the Baseline (scope, time, cost, risk, assumptions) and the subsequent delivery performance, change and contingency monitoring including the delivery of Quantitative Risk Analysis (cost and time).
• Ensures all activities/operations are carried out in line with Mace Control Centre, Client requirements and prevailing legislation.
• Provides line management to more junior PMO and Project Controls resources and other Project/Programme staff as required.
• Utilises expertise to mentor and assist the personal and career development of junior members of the PMO and Project Control team.
• Innovates and aligns with industry best practice to ensure continued service excellence.
• Leads the delivery of a high performing PMO and Project Control team on the assigned commission.
• Supports the Hub PMO and Project Control Director with resourcing and recruitment for the assigned commission.
• Works collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition, and share responsibility for the proactive identification and management of the associated carbon emissions and reductions during the delivery of work.

Skills

PMO leadership

Project controls

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Communication

Negotiation

Leadership coaching

Change management

Problem solving

Strategic thinking

Education

Degree in construction/engineering/project management

Chartered status

MSP/P3O/P3M3 accreditation

Ongoing professional development

Tools

Primavera P6

Aconex

Power BI

Microsoft Office

Primavera Risk Analysis

Active Risk Manager

Job description

At Mace, our purpose is to redefine the boundaries of ambition. We believe in creating places that are responsible, bringing transformative impact to our people, communities, and societies across the globe. To learn more about our purpose, culture, and priorities, visit our strategy site.

You'll Be Responsible For

• Accountable for the PMO and Project Controls Services performance on assigned commission/s.
• Creates/designs effective PMO and Project Controls framework/strategy/s.
• Manages and directs Clients, consultants, contractors, project team on all PMO and Project Controls management matters.
• Is a trusted advisor to and builds strong professional relationships with Client organisations.
• Acts as the PMO and Project Controls Subject Matter Expert on assigned project/s,/programme/portfolio/s.
• Leads and directs the Project team in the administration of the PMO and Project Controls process, particularly with respect to the cost, schedule, change, risk and reporting to achieve key objectives and the escalation of performance and management issues.
• Leads and directs periodic reporting and structured governance and performance meetings.
• Leads and directs the developing and managing the Baseline (scope, time, cost, risk, assumptions) and the subsequent delivery performance, change and contingency monitoring including the delivery of Quantitative Risk Analysis (cost and time).
• Ensures all activities/operations are carried out in line with Mace Control Centre, Client requirements and prevailing legislation.
• Provides line management to more junior PMO and Project Controls resources and other Project/Programme staff as required.
• Utilises expertise to mentor and assist the personal and career development of junior members of the PMO and Project Control team.
• Innovates and aligns with industry best practice to ensure continued service excellence.
• Leads the delivery of a high performing PMO and Project Control team on the assigned commission.
• Supports the Hub PMO and Project Control Director with resourcing and recruitment for the assigned commission.
• Works collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition, and share responsibility for the proactive identification and management of the associated carbon emissions and reductions during the delivery of work.

You’ll Need To Have

• Significant experience leading PMO and Project Controls functions on major construction programmes or portfolios, including within a management consultancy environment.
• Proven experience establishing and implementing PMO, Project Controls, governance and assurance frameworks and strategies.
• Strong understanding of the construction project lifecycle, including key dependencies, interfaces, risks and delivery challenges.
• Broad sector experience providing PMO and Project Controls leadership across complex environments such as rail, highways, nuclear, public sector and healthcare.
• Expert knowledge of Project Controls tools and systems, including Primavera P6, Aconex, Power BI and Microsoft Office, with experience using risk management tools such as Primavera Risk Analysis, Active Risk Manager or equivalent.
• Strong capability in risk management, analysis, problem solving and decision-making, including working effectively where solutions or outcomes involve significant uncertainty.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior internal and external stakeholders, consultants and delivery partners.
• Strong presentation, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly to different audiences.
• Demonstrated leadership capability, including leading, coaching, mentoring and developing multidisciplinary teams and creating an inclusive environment where individuals can perform effectively.
• Proven ability to adapt to changing priorities, identify opportunities for improvement and promote best practice, lessons learned and innovative ways of working, including the adoption of new technology.
• Strong commitment to professional integrity, accountability, collaboration, diversity and inclusion.
• Relevant university degree in construction, engineering, project management or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Chartered status or equivalent professional membership with a relevant institution, such as the Association for Project Management, is preferred.
• MSP, P3O, P3M3 or equivalent programme/portfolio management accreditation is desirable.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development and active engagement with relevant industry or professional bodies.

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 organization.

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