Project Controls Lead (Head scope & Baseline)

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:

A large defence capital works programme which, over 15 years, will contribute to the upgrade of the UK’s strategic defence capability. Mace (in partnership with the client and other industry organisations) will establish and subsequently manage the programme management organisation overseeing the delivery of numerous complex and varied capital works projects.

The baseline & scope management lead will work within the programme management office (PMO) liaising with a variety of stakeholders across the programme, reporting to the head of PMO. Due to the strict security requirements, candidates must be a UK national and will need to progress through security clearance.

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 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 lead the 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 best-in-class service delivery and effective engagement with wider industry and professional bodies to promote Mace.

• You will be a recognised expert in PMO and project controls, with a strong internal and external network ( e.g. clients, contractors, consultancies and other stakeholders).

• Responsible for providing functional guidance to multi-disciplinary project teams in developing, managing and changing their baselines (scope, schedule, cost, risk, assumptions & exclusions).

• Provides tools and systems for projects to capture, define and record their scope.

• Ensures Baselines are placed under change & configuration control, accessible and provide a single version of the truth.

• Drives for consistency and standardisation across the function.

• Leads on exercises such as internal business reviews (IBRs), baseline exercises across the programme and partnership supporting the integration of artefacts.

• Liaising closely with trend & change lead and MDAL (Master Data Assumptions List) lead.

• Liaising with partners to ensure alignment, consistency and standardisation across the programme.

• Supports monthly reporting drumbeat.

• Undertakes 1st line of functional assurance & liaises with 3rd party assurance/auditors as required.

• Ensure a strong line of communication between PMO, multidisciplinary project teams and client.

Integrity - Always do the right thing: 

• You will lead and direct project teams in the administration of the PMO and project controls process, particularly with respect to the cost, schedule, change, risk and reporting.

• You will 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 mentor, coach, and develop your project team and provide an environment to share knowledge and experience.

• 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 use your network to identify talent, lead recruitment, and manage the development, retention and mobility of people, and support our people to achieve their highest potential.

You’ll need to have: 

• Strong communication skills with the ability to present information and communicate to individuals at all levels of an organisation.

• Outstanding organisational skills, capable of managing multiple activities and timelines.

• Working knowledge of project controls methods, techniques and tools that would support baseline management.

• Able to interface with multidisciplinary teams and take lead role in creating plan for a plan and driving exercises through to completion.

• Focus on attention to details and checking project controls inputs, recording and reports produced. 

• Passion driven - sense of belonging, aligned to vision and programme ideology.

• Act inclusively, treating all with respect and driving diverse thinking - open minded and act inclusively.

• Delivering excellence - outcome driven, identifying opportunities.

• Integrity - complimentary and collaborative.

• Embed and embrace culture of health, safety and wellbeing with safety at the heart of everything we do.

• Safeguarding and protecting the planet - adopting a sustainable approach, making the right decisions to protect our world.

• Project-life balance - happiness.

• Challenging the status quo in pursuit of a better future - best in class and ahead of the curve, open to change.

• Value led approach - driven by future needs, bringing a better solution.

• Ever evolving - sustainable economically/people perspective.

• Experience working in a fast-moving project environment essential.

• Qualifications (MSP or APMG - practitioner) or related experience in project controls for example, trend and change management, earned value management or scope management.

• Experience working on large infrastructure project or programmes.

• Experience of nuclear or high security sectors desirable.

You’ll also have:

• Membership of RICS, CIOB, APM, ICE or equivalent demonstrable professional or personal development.

• Deep 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.

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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