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 businesses we harness our unique combination of leading-edge practical expertise and project delivery consultancy to unlock the potential in every project. The project: A variety of university projects across London & Southeast region. This role is to work as part of the wider university UK team as part of the senior leadership team.The UK university sector is undergoing continuous change as a result of the pandemic that will change the way the built environment meets the needs of its users, becoming more flexible and adaptable to blending ways of learning. Decarbonisation of the university estate continues more than ever to be a priority and in line with the Mace priorities, we continue to support universities in achieving their own ambitions in response to the climate emergency declarations. At Mace, we have extensive experience delivering projects, estate strategies and supporting the decarbonisation of their estate for a wide range of university clients across the UK. We are currently expanding our university team and are seeking an Associate Director to join us, this opportunity will support and grow our cost and commercial management services and will be instrumental in driving numerous high-profile projects, making it an essential addition to our team. The role will involve taking responsibility for end-to-end service delivery, often with respect to large and complex commissions within the public and private sectors. To ensure that client objectives are met through the delivery of a value-added cost management service. Our values shape the way we consult, and define the people we want to join us on our journey: 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 sound 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 lead on 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. Leading Cost and Commercial Management service offering including feasibility studies, business cases and writing procurement reports. Developing, implementing, and maintaining standards across relevant subject matters. Taking the lead in developing, implementing, and maintaining bespoke benchmarking. Producing and managing cost advise and estimate, taking ownership and confidently presenting the outputs to Clients. Identifying opportunities and efficiencies within the capital plan and procurement methodologies. Managing the procurement process, ensuring that all stages including prequalification, enquiry, analysis, selection and contract preparation are performed effectively. 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. Being in attendance at meetings and active participation. Value engineering and life cycle costing. Acting as the client interface, delivering on client objectives and adding value to the service offering. Interacting regularly with clients to ensure that goals and objectives are established and achieved. Responsible for fee budgeting, forecasting and reporting on relevant client accounts. Providing line management and overseeing recruitment. Establishing strong working relationships with key stakeholders and ensuring that user requirements are captured and signed off and that approvals are in place to progress following published protocols. 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. Training and upskilling of delivery teams. Knowledge sharing and industry best practices. Integrity - Always do the right thing: You will lead operations that 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 teams, 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 lead Cost Consultants to identify and execute opportunities that improve cost management procedures, templates and products to enhance services provided to stakeholders. You'll need to have: A degree in quantity surveying/cost management and are a member of a relevant institute. Track record of winning and delivering work for new build, refurbishment, and infrastructure works and experience in the delivery of complex HE projects. Good working knowledge of NEC3 and, estimating, valuations, cost reporting and financial modelling. Experience in negotiating, influencing and communication skills to command professional respect at all levels. You'll also have: Degree in quantity surveying/cost management (or equivalent). Professional membership i.e. MRICS/RICS (or equivalent) and moving towards fellowship, or equivalent demonstrable professional or personal development. Strong commercial and financial acumen. Sound knowledge of value engineering, life cycle costing, contract law and contractual frameworks relating to construction. 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. LI-Onsite