Operations Director - Commercial Consultancy - Rail

Position status: This opportunity is for a bid, so it is not yet a secured role. If you would like to be considered as we progress with this position, please click to apply.

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

The project:

Due to continued growth, our rail consultancy team is expanding. We are seeking talented commercial management professionals with rail sector experience to join us in either York, Leeds, or Manchester. If you're looking for an opportunity to be part of a dynamic and growing team, we'd love to hear from you.

Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey, they are:

• Safety first - Going home safe and well
• Client focus - Deliver on our promise
• Integrity - Always do the right thing
• Create opportunity - For our people to excel

To perform the role of operations director - cost, taking responsibility for end-to-end service delivery, often with respect to large and complex commissions. To ensure that client objectives are met through the delivery of a value-added cost management service. The role will be managing our cost consultancy services in the rail sector. It is therefore essential that you can demonstrate a thorough understanding of working in this sector.

You'll be responsible for:

• Conducting feasibility studies, business cases and writing procurement reports.
• Applying value management techniques at the outset of a project.
• Managing estimating and cost planning activities to include taking ownership of and presenting the final cost plan.
• Managing the procurement process, ensuring that all stages including prequalification, enquiry, analysis, selection and contract preparation are performed effectively.
• Ensuring that post contract cost variances and change control processes are managed effectively.
• Ensuring that cost checking and valuation work is managed effectively.
• Ensuring the production of monthly post-contract cost reports and presenting them to the client.
• Value engineering and life cycle costing.
• Ensuring that final accounts are negotiated and agreed.
• Being a key interface with client and other consultants, at all project stages.
• Marketing and business development duties, particularly in your sector of experience including being mindful of the need to support the consultancy team in promoting Mace in the region.
• Line management and recruitment duties.

You'll need to have:

• Experience of leading high performing teams within a consultancy environment
• A track record of winning and delivering work for rail projects
• Demonstrable experience of delivering service excellence to clients.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
• Good negotiating, influencing and communication skills to command professional respect at all levels is essential.
• Good working knowledge of contracts, estimating, valuations, cost reporting and financial modelling.

You'll also have:

• A degree qualification is preferred but is not essential.
• Professional memberships are an advantage.

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 organisation.

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

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