Associate Director

Position status: This opportunity is for a secured role that is due to commence in August subject to approval. 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 of every project.

The project:

Initially covering responsibilities for HMP Gartree with a view to then leading on HMP Grendon long term.
The MoJ Property Directorate is a customer focused organisation that exists to enable our customers to perform to their very best. We do this by providing high quality, easy to use services, and working environments that our customers want to work in, which support them to deliver their individual outputs efficiently. Our job is to manage one of the most diverse and complex estates in Government – hosted by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The MoJ Property Directorate brings together a property portfolio including Prisons, Probation, and MoJ HQ and Arm's Length Bodies. We also provide property services on behalf of the Home Office.
MoJ Property provides specialist services including facilities management, health and safety, fire safety and security, technical design expertise, and sustainability. We also have business management teams who support the entire Directorate and each of our partners is supported by account management teams. We are responsible for a great deal - our portfolio consists of properties valued at £8.5bn for the MoJ alone. We are part of the Government Property Profession (GPP) and through active membership and engagement we will work with the Office of Government Property to develop the maturity of the profession and also encourage our people to join the GPP. We continue to build our capability through training and recruitment, aspiring to be the best that we can be as individuals and as a directorate.We continue to deliver new ways of working across our portfolio – leading on the scale and pace of activity for central government – proposing ways to achieve, and then providing more dynamic and flexible workspace, while driving down the cost of the estate.

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:

You will be a leading advocate of Mace's value of Safety First, and be accountable for leading and maintaining exceptional safety, quality, cost, programme, sustainability and project compliance standards. You will possess advanced technical expertise in local Health and Safety rules and regulations relevant to project portfolio. You will champion a diverse and inclusive working environment and understand the importance of the wellbeing of the people you manage.

Client focus - Deliver on our promise:

You will ensure the successful delivery of key assignments and defined business areas, providing strategic direction and monitoring delivery aligned with overall vision and objectives. You will be responsible for implementing appropriate programme delivery environments, including People, Organisation, Process, Information and Technology You will promote and influence quality and Service Excellence in all conversations and programme interactions. Working with a range of end users, judiciary, prison governors, probation, HMPPS leads and facilities management to develop project proposals from mandate through to completion, within budget envelops, evidencing value for money solutions and benefits realisation.Working with Directorate Account Management teams in delivering successful outcomes.Timely drafting and submission of individual project option appraisals, feasibility reports, business cases and board papers; driving design innovation.Working with commercial teams to procure supply chain resources, by providing the appropriate project briefs.Managing the performance of supply chain partners, through providing clear instructions; collating and reporting on key performance measures.Identifying risks and issues and making sure mitigation plans are in place. Working with the project professional teams to ensure fully costed risk registers are in place and updated regularly for all projects, enabling effective risk and issue management.Establishment and leadership of change control across all projects, ensuring timely and cost-efficient decision making is undertaken to delivery projects within budget and on time.Supporting the Contract Administration process through timely decision making and direction required to enable the submission of early warning notices, when contractual remedies are thought to be required, instructions and general communications.Liaison with and supporting Project Manager with the coordination of Technical Standards and other design/operational stakeholders to support design development and on-site delivery of works in line with MoJ standards and requirements.Support the Project Manager for all utilities connections contracts, design development and options appraisal/selection, metering connections and establishment of associated wayleaves and easements.Management of all 3rd party legal agreements required to deliver the works, such as S278 agreements and Temporary Traffic Restriction Orders.Supporting Principal and contractor through the planning process, including development of planning submissions, liaison with Local Planning Authority officers, local stakeholder management, representation at key planning meetings and supporting the discharge of planning conditions.Management of key project stakeholder relationships as agreed with Principal through regular engagement and timely briefing and updates. Act as key interface between end user groups, professional teams and contractors.Development of management processes, procedures and plans, in line with the Government Soft Landings requirements, to enable successful integration and handover at project completion to the Operator.Embedding wider efficiency targets set by the Cabinet Office and IPA, such as the implementation of building information modelling, government soft landings by the inclusion of FM professionals, and collaborative procurement, particularly early contractor engagement and project bank accounts.Regularly holding to account and supporting team members who support the Senior Project Sponsors.Line management and leadership of a team, providing strong professional direction.Making sure contractor and project manager are focused on critical paths and they are in place for all projects and Project Performance Indicators (PPIs) are in place and the resulting data is used to keep project to time and quality.Making sure project detail sheets are submitted on time, having first challenged and assured the data and information being supplied is accurate.Manage the end-to-end requisition to pay process, making sure prompt and fair payment is made.Ensuring lessons learned are carried out as best practice and findings are collected and distributed across stakeholder groups, including technical services, FM, commercial, and post project evaluations are conducted and recorded; report benefits in line with those set out in the business case(s).Frequent travel will be required across between establishments across the UK.

Integrity - Always do the right thing:

You will be responsible for project budgets and ensure operations are fiscally and ethically viable and meet organisational and legislative compliance obligations. You will support the Operations Director and other senior stakeholders to directly influence long term development of strategy for a function or Business Unit (BU), creating a sustainable business future. You will commit to making a positive impact for our people, our clients, and our planet, and take ownership for holding others to account who do not uphold the Mace values.

Create opportunity - For our people to excel:

You will lead your team effectively and develop others to reach their full potential. You will actively network, innovate, and seek understanding of best practice, utilising the full depth of knowledge of Mace Group, the Centres of Excellence, Mace Way Control Centre and Knowledge Hub. You will collaborate with multiple internal and external stakeholders, up to C-Suite, to implement and manage our programmes.

You'll need to have:

Developed budgetary oversight expertise. Advanced proficiency in coordinating activities and collaborating with stakeholders. Advanced understanding of programme management methodologies and practices. Advanced problem solving and analytical skills across estimating, scheduling, contracts administration, procurement, financial controls and reporting for planning, estimating, contract administration and procurement issues for various procedural, construction and design activities. Developed bidding, business development and/or account growth capabilities Advanced commercial and financial skills and an ability to grow fees. Ensure programme risks are effectively identified, mitigated and managed, including the proactive management of the early warning process. Performance management to ensure a high-performance culture is maintained.Deep knowledge and expertise in specific industry of programme / role. Relevant technical qualification/certification for project portfolio/s. Sound technical expertise in Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (or local equivalent) rules and regulations relevant to programme / portfolio. Highly regarded across the relevant sector / market.Share and develop knowledge and skills across the team.Acts as a mentor.Deep knowledge of a particular client / sector / service / technical aspect.Has spent time in both a Consultancy and Construction environment (or equivalent).

You'll also have:

Membership of RICS, CIOB, APM, ICE or equivalent demonstrable professional or personal development. Extensive experience in the successful delivery phase of projects and programmesDeep property or infrastructure project management expertise. Strong commercial and financial acumen. Leadership and management experience of large, diverse teams. Experience of managing relationships with key senior stakeholders. Knowledge of how carbon and sustainability considerations will shape the outlook of the projects you are working on.Leads others, including other Associate Directors effectively, gives clear direction, coaches and supports others to reach their full potential. Mentors and develops the programme team; provides a safe work environment to learn and mature. Adapts and reacts well to changing priorities and requirements. Demonstrates a better perspective and explores innovative approaches, in pursuit of a better way. Embraces new technology and helps others to adapt. Takes responsibility for their actions, leads by example and acts in an ethical, legal and responsible way. Understands personal strengths and weaknesses and introduces the right selection of skills and competencies to balance. Recognises and activity pursues the collective power of diverse and inclusive teams. Mentors and develops individuals, sharing knowledge and experience. Champions and operates within an inclusivity environment.Excellent interpersonal skills to manage relationships with key stakeholders. Proven experience and track-record of successful programme delivery (in both construction and pre-construction phases). MAPM/MRICS (or local equivalent). Tertiary qualifications in related (project management and/or construction related discipline), non-related degree or equivalent professional experience/apprenticeship, combined with a demonstrable intermediate level of role knowledge. Appropriate Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.

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.

Please remember the Employee Referral Scheme and if there are any talented people you can recommend, just click the button and use the 'Refer a friend' feature found within the relevant job.

---