Operations Director - Project Management

Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey.

The project: Are you looking for a career which is rewarding, at the cutting edge of project development and where you can really make a difference? Come and join our expanding Sizewell C (SZC) team and work on one of the most exciting and largest megaprojects in the UK, whilst being at the forefront of the UK’s climate change agenda and energy policy. Sizewell C (SZC) will be a 3.2-gigawatt power station generating low-carbon electricity for around 6 million homes, playing a key role in our energy future, supplying reliable, clean electricity for at least 60 years.

TOC Assurance will lead assurance, governance, and commercial oversight activities across major heavy civil infrastructure packages at Sizewell C. This role focuses on ensuring that Target Outturn Cost (TOC) development, procurement strategies, and pre-construction planning are robust, auditable, and aligned with programme objectives and value-for-money principles. The candidate should have working knowledge or estimating and construction programmes, along with QSRA and QCRA Monte Carlo risk analysis. The SPM will bring extensive experience from a contractor or consultancy environment, with deep expertise in procurement, quantity surveying, and pre-construction delivery.

You’ll be responsible for:

TOC Assurance and Commercial Oversight.

Managing independent assurance of TOC submissions across heavy civils scope (earthworks, marine, tunnelling, structures, enabling works)

Working knowledge of bottom-up cost estimating, risk allowances, and pricing strategies.

The ability to challenge contractor assumptions, methodologies, and commercial and risk positions.

Ensuring compliance with programme governance and assurance frameworks

PAA Contractual knowledge is preferable.

Pre-Construction leadership.

P Provide strategic knowledge into procurement strategies and packaging approaches.

Overseeing TOC development including evaluation, clarification and negotiation.

Reviewing scope definition and contract documentation.

Ensuring alignment between TOC strategy and TOC development.

Stakeholder and Interface Management.

Acting as a key interface between client, contractors, and internal teams.

Managing assurance reviews, workshops, and governance forums.

Providing regular reporting and recommendations to senior stakeholders

Financial (For example: Investments, Funding, Budget or Programme costs)

Working knowledge of the Capital Programme budget forecasting along with transition of programme elements back to influence of the costs and budgets Risk (for example Capital, Project or Performance risks)

Working knowledge of the capital projects and related risk identification, quantification and analysis.

Working knowledge of Quantitative Risk Analysis including Monte Carlo simulation for QSRA and QCRA.

You’ll need to have:

Minimum 15+ years’ experience in heavy civils or major infrastructure.

Strong background in procurement, pre-construction/estimating, quantity surveying/commercial management.

Experience within a Tier 1 contractor or major projects delivery organisation.

Proven track record in TOC, target cost, or cost assurance roles.

Deep understanding of pre-construction development, cost planning and estimating methodologies.

PAA/NEC/target cost contracting models.

Infrastructure delivery lifecycles.

Ability to interrogate complex cost submissions

Strong commercial judgement and analytical capability.

Ability to challenge senior stakeholders constructively.

Excellent communication and reporting skills.

Structured, detail-oriented, delivery-focused approach.

Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Civil Engineering, or related field.

Professional membership (e.g. RICS) preferred working context.

Major infrastructure programme environment with high governance requirements.

Hybrid working with regular presence across site and office locations.

Our values

Safety first - Going home safe and well: We champion a safe, diverse and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of wellbeing in every team.

Client focus - Deliver on our promise: We own the quality of deliverables, strategic outcomes and build long term relationships with our clients.

Integrity - Always do the right thing: We influence positive outcomes within our industry, while always aligning with our compliance obligations.

Create opportunity - For our people to excel: We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop.

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

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