Associate Director

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 to unlock the potential in every project.

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

A Planning Specialist is responsible for leading a team to develop a detailed level 4/5 schedule to operational level aligned to the level 3 schedule. This will be across a programme or in support of multiple projects leading on identifying material requirements, allocation of budgets, documents required and detailed scheduling of tasks to support Delivery Managers.

Please Note\: The successful applicant will have project planning experience within the infrastructure/construction industry and ideally be a Primavera P6 expert. We are looking for a Planning Lead to manage a team of 3 which will grow with time. This role will require a strong client facing leader. The role will be required to work on site in Plymouth, Devon 2-3 days per week. The successful person will need to pass BPSS and SC clearance so please check the rules for these clearances before applying.

You'll be responsible for:

• Manage the process of creation and maintenance of the bill of material to the Level 4/5 schedule within the relevant toolset and the provision of a budget to reflect this aligned to the project budget (This should include coverage for non-­material tasks).
• Manage 6 week planning process ensuring viability of the plan in line with the Level 3 schedule and 12 week look-ahead aspiration across a programme/multiple projects.
• Manage the monitor and control of all work in progress using standard reports and KPl's. Timely release and closure of change codes and the highlighting of issues.
• Manage on the timely planning of emergent/additional work, so that the work can be progressed in accordance with project schedules.
• Performance management and development of capability within the planning team (including succession planning).

Additional responsibilities and accountabilities:

• Manage the liaising with engineering, purchasing, warehousing, production and others where applicable to ensure compliance to schedules to reduce risk to contracts.
• Attend daily project focus meetings when required.
• Manage the population and manage IFS for relevant work.
• Monitor KPl's and any resultant issues.
• Manage summary analysis and report on trends.
• Manage the supply information to update labour forecast information.
• Manage the supply delivery forecasts of activities whilst assessing and reporting on late deliverables against schedules.
• Liaise with projects regarding budgetary control.
• Manage the production of shop orders/work instructions in line with schedules.
• Manage the understanding and operation where applicable norms database effectively and be proficient in producing estimates of work.
• Raise and seek solutions to technical queries whilst utilizing feedback systems.
• Ensure variation of accounts is opened in a timely manner.
• Manage the process of raising emergent shop orders and ensure assistance centers have budget allocated.
• Support to development of building methods.
• Support to business winning.

Key outputs/deliverables:

• Level 4/5 schedule.
• Material demand dates for medium/short term lead time material.
• EVM reports at Level 4/5.
• Planning KPl's.
• Planning status reports.
• Level 4 resource profiles.
• Visual progress measures.
• Production work packs.
• Lessons learned.

HSSE:

• Promoting and reinforcing safe behaviors themselves, with and across teams.
• Acting as a role model by demonstrating safe behaviors and attitudes which support company values and HSE processes.
• Providing clear and engaging direction to their team on all activities promoting safe behaviours.
• Ensuring that the impact on the environment is assessed and measures are put in place to minimise any potential impact on the environment.

Quality:

• Can articulate and communicate 'interested parties' and their requirements.
• Captures issues, risks and opportunities to instigate and monitor an appropriate quality management system for their area of responsibility.
• Demonstrate and communicate the quality requirements of their function and ensure that these are being met.
• Demonstrate an understanding of risks and take action to mitigate. 

Continuous improvement:

• Responsible for working with the business unit functional departments to identify and deliver improvements in quality, schedule and cost within the project.
• Identification of lessons learned back into the business.

Financial awareness and management:

• Can communicate the financial strategy of the business and uses this knowledge to provide direction for self and others.
• Maintains governance frameworks to ensure that the financial strategy of the business is maintained.
• Implements local business plans and objectives in line with financial targets.
• Directs the local assets and resources in order to achieve the business plan and objectives.
• Creates a sense of common understanding of financial awareness within and across teams.

Commercial:

• Empowers staff to consider the risks, costs and contractual relationships in carrying out their roles and responsibilities.
• Encourages dialogue to continually improve the commercial viability of all activities.
• Seeks opportunities to work across the business as one team and take advantage of synergies and best practice to achieve the BU strategy and goals.
• Seeking active involvement of the commercial function and other internal stakeholders in contracting processes to ensure full and deep understanding of the resulting contract.

You'll need to have:

• Recent and relevant experience in a similar environment/business sector proficient knowledge/application of ERP toolsets e.g. IFS/SAP etc.
• Practiced knowledge of estimating.
• Competent scheduling experience in a relevant toolset competent in MS Office.
• Worked on multiple projects of varying type and project lifecycle phase.
• Full construction lifecycle experience from manufacturing through to commissioning.

You'll also have:

• ONC in a relevant construction trade as a minimum or an engineering qualification, a professional qualification (e.g. APM/ ACostE/RICS or equivalent).
• Mandatory (or agreement to attain in 12 months) APM project professional qualification (PPQ).
• APM project planning and controls- practitioner earned value management - practitioner.
• APM chartered professional (ChPP).
• APM project risk management - Level 2.

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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