Operations Director - Abu Dhabi Lead

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.

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. 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. Integrity - Always do the right thing
3. Create opportunity - For our people to excel

The opportunity:

We've been working in the United Arab Emirates for over 25 years, helping to redefine the boundaries of ambition of this dynamic, growing and diverse country. We are proud to have been part of that journey, helping to realise the ambitions of the nation, which is now a global business and cultural hub.

We have built a reputation for delivering projects and programmes faster, safer and better than ever before, but as a purpose-driven business we look for opportunities to shape the future. This is an opportunity for an experienced leader to take their career and ambitions to the next level on this exciting journey with Mace.

The role:

To direct and oversee the Abu Dhabi business activities of Mace, implementing operational programmes that are aligned to the strategic objectives of the business and growing this important market.

The role oversees business activities and is accountable for the Abu Dhabi KPIs and business outcomes. Reporting to the UAE Country Manager, this is an integral member of the UAE senior leadership team providing operational expertise, business planning and strategic advice to the regional leadership team.

You'll be responsible for:

1. Leading, guiding and providing strategic direction to the emirate of Abu Dhabi within the UAE, developing the overall strategy, long and short-term goals and inputting into country, regional strategy as a member of the UAE senior leadership team.
2. Owning the Abu Dhabi business operational resource requirements, ensuring compliance with Mace group reporting cycles and establishing KPIs and OKDs (objectives and key deliverables).
3. Overseeing key client relationships and taking ownership of strategic and Abu Dhabi client accounts including government, private sector and public sector clients when required.
4. Partnering and collaborating with business leadership to identify new opportunities with existing and new clients, ensuring all strategic and profitable opportunities are captured and actioned, to further develop and grow the Mace country business.
5. Accountable for delivery of annual financial and operating targets for the Mace Abu Dhabi business (including KPIs, OKDs and business outcomes), achieved through developing fit-for-purpose planning processes appropriate for a growing, market leading and highly profitable organisation.
6. Leading effective cost management for Abu Dhabi business, ensuring budgets are met and utilising data and analysis to drive continuous business improvements.
7. Collaborating and partnering with leadership teams to proactively identify strategic partnership opportunities, promote cross selling and further develop, cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with clients, partners and supply chains.
8. Ensuring required leadership and capability for Abu Dhabi 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 2030 strategy.
9. Owning the specific Mace business positioning and market strategy, pipeline, bids and submissions including service offerings, strategic sector priorities utilising robust market and competitor analysis.
10. Demonstrating good organisational citizenship by working in an enterprise-wide way. Championing and driving the strategic implementation of enterprise-wide (and business unit) strategic priorities, initiatives and transformational change, providing enterprise-wide leadership.
11. Leading business by example, setting and working by high standards, leading, guiding and providing direction to Abu Dhabi and UAE country business and leadership team, ensuring a high performing portfolio and teams that meet and exceed KPIs.
12. Representing Mace and the UAE business, managing and influencing key C-Suite and senior external relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, supply chain and relevant government/regulatory bodies.
13. Providing executive leadership, strategic direction and thought leadership across the Abu Dhabi business, supporting and mentoring senior leaders including succession planning, onboarding, training and diversity planning.
14. Promoting and championing the highest standards and adherence to health, safety and wellbeing across the Abu Dhabi portfolio.
15. Partnering with marketing and communications and relevant stakeholders to raise the overall profile of the Abu Dhabi business.
16. Working collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition and sharing responsibility for the proactive identification and management of the associated carbon emissions and reductions during the delivery of work.

You'll need to have:

1. Leadership skills and be a skilled people leader.
2. Excellent industry and sector connections and relationships in Abu Dhabi.
3. Comprehensive operational expertise in project and programme management and knowledge of the construction industry.
4. Significant experience in leading complex project and programme delivery in the UAE.
5. Ability to lead strategic direction of a business from both an internal and external perspective.
6. Can influence, develop and create a cohesive leadership team to oversee the operations of the Abu Dhabi business within the UAE.
7. Highly skilled in client engagement, strategic partnering and planning, bidding, work winning and driving operational performance.
8. Ability to work to short and long-term strategic plans, promoting sustainable and innovative solutions, knowledge capture and best practice in service delivery.

You'll also have:

1. Advanced communication skills, effectively communicates at all levels in the organisation.
2. Manages and influences key senior internal and external stakeholders and provides leadership and guidance to the operational portfolio.
3. Advanced negotiation, influencing and engagement capabilities.
4. Persuades, influences, advises and collaborates with others successfully towards a desired course of action and/or to reach consensus.
5. Demonstrates new perspectives and explores and champions innovative approaches in pursuit of a better way incorporating continuous improvement.
6. 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.

Since day one, we have relentlessly pursued a better way. Our purpose - to redefine the boundaries of ambition - is the reason we do it. We are global experts in shaping and making the built environment. We support clients at every stage of the property lifecycle, from development and consultancy to construction and operations. You can see our impact everywhere: from skylines that form cities around the world to the infrastructure that communities depend on to live, work and play. Together, it all works towards our vision: leading the way to a more connected, resilient and sustainable world. Today, we remain a privately owned business that has grown organically across five global hubs in Europe, Middle East and North Africa, the Americas, Sub Saharan Africa and Asia Pacific. The driving force behind our success is our people who, with their collective expertise, push us to think differently and bravely lead the way. Our culture respects equality, values diversity and encourages individuality - accepting and appreciating all views and beliefs and providing an environment for ideas to come alive. We welcome everyone who shares the Mace values, regardless of background, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation. Drawing on a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, experience and expertise to challenge convention is our strength. It's the reason why we continue to grow and it's the secret to how we've built some of the world's most renowned buildings.