Operations Director

Project Directors / Senior Project Managers

Construction / Delivery Managers

Technical Services Manager(s)

Job Purpose

The Operations Director - FNICAP is accountable for the strategic leadership, operational performance, and successful delivery of a portfolio of complex M&E infrastructure upgrade projects.

The role provides oversight of programme / project development and project delivery functions, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. The Operations Director will lead and mentor the Programme Manager and project teams, ensuring robust pre-construction planning transitions seamlessly into operational delivery.

This role requires strong leadership across live operational environments, infrastructure upgrades, stakeholder-sensitive sites, and technically complex M&E systems.

Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Provide overall operational leadership for a portfolio of complex M&E infrastructure upgrade, and supporting civils works, projects.
• Set and maintain clear delivery and acquisition strategies aligned with business objectives and client expectations.
• Maintain governance structures, stage gate controls, and assurance processes across projects.
• Lead reporting on programme performance, risk, and financial status.
• Drive continuous improvement in operational delivery standards and systems.

Programme & Delivery Oversight

• Oversee the Programme Manager to ensure effective coordination from pre construction through delivery.
• Provide direction on programme sequencing, phasing, and integration within live environments.
• Ensure alignment between design development, procurement strategy, construction methodology, and commissioning activities.
• Intervene where required to resolve complex delivery challenges or escalated issues.
• Maintain oversight of critical path activities and resource allocation across the portfolio.
• Hold accountability for portfolio level P&L performance.
• Ensure robust cost control, forecasting, and change management processes are embedded across all projects.
• Oversee procurement strategies for major M&E packages and specialist subcontractors.
• Lead commercial risk management and contractual compliance.
• Support dispute avoidance and resolution strategies where required.

Technical & Operational Excellence

• Ensure technical compliance and quality assurance across complex M&E systems including (as applicable):
• HV/LV electrical infrastructure
• Energy centres
• Critical systems and resilience infrastructure
• BMS and controls integration
• Oversee commissioning strategies, integration testing, and operational handover processes.
• Promote buildability, safe access, and maintainability considerations throughout delivery.

Health, Safety, and Compliance

• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure full compliance with CDM Regulations and statutory requirements.
• Ensure safe delivery within live operational or high risk environments.
• Lead incident reviews and ensure lessons learned are implemented across projects.

Stakeholder & Client Leadership

• Act as senior point of contact for key clients and stakeholders.
• Maintain strong relationships with client leadership teams and operational representatives.
• Lead high level stakeholder engagement across complex, operationally sensitive sites.
• Ensure minimal disruption to business critical operations during upgrade works.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and performance management to Programme Managers and delivery teams.
• Build high performing, accountable, and collaborative project teams.
• Identify capability gaps and support succession planning.
• Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

Key Skills & Experience

• Extensive senior leadership experience within construction or infrastructure delivery.
• Proven track record delivering complex M&E infrastructure upgrade projects, ideally within live operational environments.
• Strong commercial acumen and experience managing significant project portfolios and budgets.
• Deep understanding of construction project lifecycles from concept to commissioning.
• Experience leading Programme Managers and multi disciplinary delivery teams.
• Strong working knowledge of construction contracts (NEC, JCT, or equivalent).
• Demonstrated ability to manage technical risk in high value, complex infrastructure projects.
• Experience within critical infrastructure sectors (e.g., nuclear, energy, utilities, healthcare public infrastructure).
• Experience managing phased upgrade programmes with operational continuity constraints.
• Background in mechanical or electrical engineering disciplines.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong operational delivery focus.
• Decisive leader capable of managing complexity and ambiguity.
• High level of commercial and contractual awareness.
• Strong influencing skills at executive and board level.
• Resilient, accountable, and outcome driven.
• Committed to safety, quality, and operational excellence.