Head of Cities & Places - UK & Europe

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Position status: This opportunity is for a secured role that is due to commence in Feb 2025 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 in every project and programme.

The opportunity

Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey, they are:

1. Safety first - Going home safe and well
2. Client focus - Deliver on our promise
3. Integrity - Always do the right thing
4. Create opportunity - For our people to excel

As our European Consultancy business embarks on an ambitious, exciting growth journey, we now have the need for a truly inspiring enterprise leader to take up the newly created position of Head of Cities & Places. Leading a freshly defined £120m t/o business, you will inspire and enhance a group of exceptional professionals responsible for shaping European Cities, driving success across Corporate Real Estate, Hospitality, Entertainment, Sports & Leisure and Local & Central Government.

The successful candidate will direct and oversee the operational business activities within the consultancy business, delivering P&L performance with year-on-year improvement in line with the plan and implementing operational programmes that are aligned to the strategic objectives of the business.

The role oversees business activities & is accountable for business unit KPIs & business outcomes. Reporting into and working closely with the hub Managing Director, you will be an integral member of the senior leadership team providing operational expertise, strategic planning & counsel.

You'll be responsible for:

1. Leadership of the overall delivery of strategy, objectives & all projects for a business unit in the consult business, in line with overall Mace strategy and priorities.
2. Ownership of the business unit combined business operational resource requirements, ensures compliance with Mace Group reporting cycles and establishing KPIs & OKDs (objectives & key deliverables), as agreed with the hub Managing Director.
3. Delivery of annual financial and operating targets for the consult business unit (including KPIs, OKDs & business outcomes), leads effective cost management, ensuring budgets are met and utilises data & analysis to drive continuous business improvements.
4. Overseeing & promoting effective relationships externally with all clients, suppliers, partners & internally across the business.
5. Accountable for identifying, managing & mitigating business risks across the market & portfolio; highlighting high levels of risk to Regional Hub Lead.
6. Overseeing the implementation of service excellence ensuring it is implemented, measured & monitored across the market & portfolio.
7. Champions innovation & provides thought leadership in strategy, business planning & service delivery advocating new ideas, ways of working & efficiencies.
8. Collaborating & partnering with others across the business & identifies and promotes cross selling opportunities within the wider Mace business, driving & promoting business development, including building & developing productive relationships across the business & with clients.
9. Ensuring required leadership and capability is implemented to deliver the business ambition with robust resource planning and a talent pipeline matching business demand, to drive the Mace purpose, priorities and 2026 strategy.
10. Member of Europe hub business senior leadership team, inputs into & influences business unit portfolio in line with overall consult business strategy, direction & objectives.
11. Demonstrating 'good organisation citizenship' by working in an enterprise-wide way.
12. Championing & driving the strategic implementation of enterprise-wide (& engine/business unit) strategic priorities, initiatives & transformational change, providing enterprise-wide leadership.
13. Leading consult business unit by example, setting & working by high standards, leads, guides & provides direction to business unit, ensures a high performing portfolio & teams that meet & exceed KPIs.
14. Representing Mace & the consult business unit, manages & influences key C-Suite & senior external relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, supply chain and relevant government/regulatory bodies.
15. Providing executive leadership and direction across the business unit & across the business, supporting and mentoring senior leaders including succession planning, onboarding, training and diversity planning.
16. Promoting & championing the highest standards and adherence to health, safety & wellbeing across portfolio.
17. Providing thought leadership, industry expertise & expert counsel across the consult business unit portfolio to senior leadership teams including consult board.

You'll need to have:

1. Delivery of business objectives in line with strategy
2. Change management; 'change agent' executive
3. Commercial management
4. Comprehensive operational expertise
5. Advanced budgetary expertise
6. Ability to lead strategic direction of a business from both an internal and external perspective
7. Can influence, develop and create a cohesive leadership team to oversee the operations of the business unit
8. Highly skilled in client engagement, strategic partnering, work winning and driving operational performance.
9. Skilled people leader.
10. Ability to work to short- and long-term strategic plans, promoting sustainable and innovative solutions, knowledge capture and best practice in service delivery
11. Comprehensive expertise & knowledge of construction consultancy.
12. Advanced expertise & knowledge of construction Industry.
13. Track record of achievement at C-Suite of senior leadership & transformational change
14. Experience of working with clients in the relevant sector/portfolio
15. Excellent industry & sector connections/relationships
16. Advanced communication skills, effectively communicates at C-Suite & all levels in organisation.
17. Manages & influences key senior internal (C-Suite) & external stakeholders & provides leadership & guidance to operational portfolio.
18. Builds professional relationships & networks
19. Advanced negotiation, influencing & engagement capabilities
20. Persuades, influences, advises & collaborates with others successfully towards a desired course of action and/or to reach consensus
21. Demonstrates a new/improved perspective and explores and champions innovative approaches in pursuit of a better way incorporating continuous improvement.
22. Champions the use of new technology, helps/guides others to adapt
23. Presents and communicates effectively at all levels. Is able to tailor to a specific audience internally and externally at all levels
24. Expert communication skills, written and verbal presentation and interpersonal skills
25. Demonstrates the ability to influence, negotiate and counsel both internally and externally with peers and senior leaders.
26. Advanced leadership capabilities lead business unit.
27. Inspiring/transformational leadership
28. Strategic thinking & execution.
29. Ability to build and maintain external presence with industry leading clients, bodies and peers
30. Builds effective senior leadership teams
31. Provides leadership, direction and guidance to others, leading others effectively, coaches and supports other to reach their full potential.
32. Responsible for strategic outcomes and KPIs within portfolio, owning the delivery of strategic objectives.
33. Champions data and analytics to drive better decision making
34. Drives the strategic implementation of new and innovative technologies to achieve objectives
35. Possess broad leadership capabilities that appeals to clients and gains the respect of the senior leadership team
36. Leads by example and acts in an ethical, legal and responsible way. Setting high standards of behaviour for themselves and others to follow
37. Focuses on client satisfaction and delivers service excellence for external and internal clients
38. Demonstrable track record in a senior leadership/director role (or equivalent).
39. Highly advanced level of commercial awareness, consulting & strategic acumen.
40. Highly advanced understanding of wider management principles and technique.

You'll also have:

1. Can lead transformation & change agendas for operational business areas
2. Leadership or advisory role to an industry recognised professional body.
3. Strong track record of advanced leadership capabilities leading business units (or equivalent).
4. Strong track record of achieving business growth & increasing profitability in multi-country business (or equivalent).
5. Degree/postgraduate (or equivalent)

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.