Operations Director - Cost Consultancy - Life Sciences & Pharmaceutical

Operations Director - Cost Consultancy - Life Sciences & Pharmaceutical

Position status: This is a talent pool requisition for potential opportunities throughout the UK. If you would like to be considered as we progress trying to secure work, 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.

Be a part of the Mace cost consultancy business that spans our five global hubs, where we oversee work for world leading organisations across the public and private sectors.

The project:

To perform the role of operations director, taking responsibility for end-to-end service delivery, often with respect to large and complex commissions. To ensure that client objectives are met through the delivery of a value-added cost management service. The role will be managing our cost consultancy services in the pharmaceutical & life sciences sector. It is therefore essential that you can demonstrate a thorough understanding of working in this sector.

This opportunity can be based from any core office - London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Winchester.

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 be accountable for managing, estimating, and cost planning including ownership of and presenting cost plans.
• You will lead the procurement process, ensuring stages including prequalification, enquiry, analysis, selection and contract preparation are performed effectively.
• You will lead the delivery of cost management services to deliver key strategic outcomes and KPIs, directly influencing strategic development of plans.
• Conducting feasibility studies, business cases and writing procurement reports.
• Applying value management techniques at the outset of a project.
• Managing estimating and cost planning activities to include taking ownership of and presenting the final cost plan.
• Ensuring that post contract cost variances and change control processes are managed effectively.
• Ensuring that cost checking and valuation work is managed effectively.
• Ensuring the production of monthly post-contract cost reports and presenting them to the client.
• Value engineering and life cycle costing.
• Ensuring that final accounts are negotiated and agreed.
• Being a key interface with client and other consultants, at all project stages.
• Marketing and business development duties, particularly in your sector of experience including being mindful of the need to support the consultancy team in promoting Mace in the region.
• Line management and recruitment duties.

Integrity - Always do the right thing:

• You will ensure that operations are fiscally and ethically viable, influencing the achievement of business objectives that align with business and legislative compliance obligations.
• You will work collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition and share responsibility for the proactive identification and management of the associated carbon emissions and reductions during the delivery of work.
• 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 large teams with senior direct reports, demonstrating effective leadership to ensure excellence in delivery against plans, championing a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities.
• 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:

• Experience of leading high performing teams within a consultancy commercial environment.
• A track record of winning and delivering work for blue chip pharmaceutical clients in a consultancy environment.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering service excellence to pharmaceutical clients in a consultancy environment.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
• Good negotiating, influencing and communication skills to command professional respect at all levels is essential.
• Good working knowledge of contracts, estimating, valuations, cost reporting and financial modelling.
• Fully contribute to the growth of the pharmaceutical & life sciences sector.
• Contribute to Mace's objectives, both corporately and individually.

You'll also have:

• A degree qualification is preferred but is not essential.
• Professional memberships are an advantage.

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.