Project Director

Mace; Huntsville (AL); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Mace in Huntsville, Alabama seeks a Senior Programme Lead to serve as Lilly’s single point of accountability for the Owner’s Representative engagement, directing all workstreams, governing scope and schedule, and owning overall delivery outcomes.

You will direct coordination of a sub-programme, implement a delivery environment across people, process and technology, manage budgets and risk, and maintain safety, quality and governance standards while working with clients, contractors and partners.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as sub-programme or small programme lead.
• Strong understanding of programme management controls and governance.
• Experience managing budgets (external budgets and internal fees).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving across cost, scheduling, procurement, contract administration, financial controls, reporting.
• Experience in consultancy and construction environments.
• Proven track record of successful programme delivery across pre-construction and construction phases.
• Degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience; professional membership preferred.

Responsibilities

• Directs the coordination and delivery of a sub-programme, aligning with vision and objectives.
• Implements programme delivery environment including People, Organisation, Process, Information and Technology.
• Improves performance from bid baseline by optimizing resources and monitoring activities.
• Owns relationship with Lilly and serves as primary contact for Mace BUD engagement.
• Maintains safety, quality, cost, programme, governance, risk and stakeholder management standards.
• Maintains an effective risk management strategy with actions and treatments.
• Promotes knowledge sharing across the Mace Group and Centres of Excellence.
• Fosters internal and external relationships with clients, contractors and stakeholders.
• Supports net zero carbon transition and carbon emissions management during delivery.

Skills

Sub-programme lead

Programme management

Budget management

Analytical skills

Construction to Production

Digital & Data

Education

Degree in project management or construction

MAPM/MRICS/MICE membership

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.

Within our business we harness our unique combination of leading‑edge practical expertise and project delivery consultancy to unlock the potential in every project.

The Project

Serves as Lilly’s single point of accountability for the entire Owner’s Representative engagement directing all workstream leads, governing scope and schedule, managing the Lilly relationship, and owning overall delivery outcomes.

You’ll Be Responsible For

• Directs the coordination and delivery of a sub programme (or smaller programme) and oversees the implementation of project strategies, providing direction and monitoring delivery in alignment with overall vision and objectives.
• Implements appropriate programme delivery environment including People, Organisation, Process, Information and Technology.
• Responsible for improving performance from the bid baseline by optimizing resources and monitoring, reviewing and evaluating activities, systems and methodologies.
• Defines the relationship ownership and is the primary contact for Mace BUD engagement.
• Directs and maintains exceptional safety, quality, cost, programme, sustainability, governance, risk, stakeholder management and programme compliance standards.
• Ensures the programme is operating an effective risk management strategy with appropriate management actions and risk treatments established.
• Proactively conveys and connects the wider business strategy to the programme team and promoting the associated initiatives.
• Networks and utilises the full depth and knowledge of the Mace Group and Centres of Excellence to support the programme delivery, actively promoting knowledge share with others.
• Ensures operations are commercially viable, influencing the achievement of business objectives (including debt collection) and meeting organisational and legislative compliance obligations.
• Builds and maintains internal and external relationships (e.g. clients, contractors, consultancies and other stakeholders) to foster growth and increase networks, developing internal and external communication.
• Adapts the full benefits of Construction to Production (C2P), Net Zero Carbon, and Digital & Data innovation.
• Promotes Mace's value of Safety First, exhibiting visible safety behaviours, sharing lessons learned and using safety moments and Mace's HSW framework. Supports the safety and wellbeing of all Mace staff.
• Manages a number of Senior Managers, Managers and Assistant Managers.
• 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

• Proven experience as a sub-programme or small programme lead, with a demonstrable track record.
• Strong technical understanding of programme management practices, controls, governance, and procedures.
• Experience in managing budgets, including both external programme budgets and internal fee budgets.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills across cost management, scheduling, procurement, contract administration, financial controls, and reporting throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ability to support and drive initiatives related to Construction to Production, Digital & Data, and low‑carbon innovations.
• Experience working in both consultancy and construction environments (or equivalent).
• Proven track record of successful programme delivery across both pre‑construction and construction phases.
• Degree in a relevant field (e.g., project management, construction) or equivalent professional experience or apprenticeship, with an intermediate level of role knowledge.
• Professional membership such as MAPM, MRICS, MICE, or local equivalent.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all of 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.