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. The project: The Operations Director will shape the future of Mace in Queensland, leading an established and growing platform into its next phase of expansion and market influence. This role combines entrepreneurial leadership with the backing of a global consultancy, offering the opportunity to build a business that delivers some of Queensland’s most complex and socially significant capital programmes. You will operate within a well-established Australian and APAC business, leveraging Mace’s proven capability, systems, and reputation across major markets, while being empowered to set the direction and build momentum in Queensland. This balance of autonomy and scale provides a rare opportunity to create impact locally with the support of a global platform. As Queensland lead, you will be accountable for client leadership, commercial performance, people leadership, and governance - setting the strategic direction for the state while building a high-performing leadership team and deep, long-term client partnerships. You will grow Mace’s presence, reputation, and impact across priority sectors including health, life sciences, social infrastructure, transport, defence, and government. Central to the role is the responsibility to build a culture that attracts, develops, and retains exceptional people, and that clients, partners, and stakeholders actively choose to work with - underpinned by trust, accountability, collaboration, and delivery excellence. The role carries full accountability for business performance and delivery excellence, with the authority to shape the operating model and lead senior appointments. Success will be reflected not only in strong financial outcomes, but in repeat client confidence, leadership depth, delivery quality, and a Queensland business that is trusted, resilient, and built to endure. 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 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 direct the delivery of key assignments and defined business areas, providing strategic direction and monitoring delivery aligned with overall vision and objectives. You will be the relationship owner and primary contact for Mace executive team engagement, and responsible for ensuring efficient governance to achieve our strategic priorities. You will be responsible for key client relationship management, including generating live prospects and leads. Integrity – Always do the right thing: You will have full budgetary oversight and ensure operations are fiscally and ethically viable, and meet organizational and legislative compliance obligations. 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: Directing and growing a high-performing team across Queensland, ensuring the right structure, capabilities, and resourcing to meet strategic objectives. Coaching and mentoring project managers, senior project managers, and associate directors to build leadership capability and support their career progression through the Mace framework, while role-modelling expected leadership behaviors. Fostering an inclusive, high-performance culture aligned with Mace’s behaviors and values, where people are engaged, accountable, and proud to work. Overseeing recruitment, succession planning, performance reviews, and capability development, building a leadership pipeline aligned to Mace’s long-term growth. You’ll need to have: Directing the growth of the Queensland business in alignment with the Australia and APAC strategy. Own market positioning and identify and secure sustainable new business opportunities across priority sectors, with a focus on long-term, strategic client relationships. Shaping market strategy, positioning Mace as a partner of choice for major capital programmes. Representing Mace at industry forums, government briefings, and senior client leadership meetings. Own the commercial P and L performance of the Queensland business, including forecasting, pipeline management, margin performance, and overhead cost control. Ensuring strong commercial discipline in bids, contracts, rate cards, and pricing strategies. Overseeing governance on all projects, ensuring alignment with Mace’s consult control centre, contract risk gateway, and quality assurance frameworks. Supervising monthly performance reporting and risk reviews with the country director. Ensuring projects and programmes are delivered to the highest standards of safety, quality, cost, and schedule performance. Providing executive leadership and intervention to support project directors and project leadership teams to resolve delivery challenges and proactively escalate and manage risks. Embedding best practice delivery methodologies including PMO governance, planning, controls, risk management, and assurance. Building and maintaining senior client relationships at CEO/executive director/agency head levels, grounded in trust, transparency, and delivery confidence. Serving as the executive sponsor for major commissions, ensuring client satisfaction and repeat business, and long-term partnership outcomes. Navigating complex stakeholder environments, including government agencies, consultants, contractors, and community groups, setting the cultural tone for collaboration and accountability. Ensuring compliance with all Mace business management systems, policies, health and safety standards, and ethical practices. Overseeing major project gateways, audits, commercial reviews, and risk management processes. Act as escalation point for project risks, contract ambiguity, or client issues requiring executive-level intervention. You’ll also have: 15 years delivering major capital projects or programmes in consulting, infrastructure, construction, or government environments. Proven leadership of state or regional business units, including full P and L accountability. Demonstrated success in building high-performing teams and securing strategic, long-term client accounts. Strong understanding of government procurement, commercial management, delivery assurance, and consultant contracts. Ability to operate at an executive level with credibility, authority, and influence. Experience in Queensland government infrastructure sectors (health, transport, defence, education, social infrastructure). Experience leading multi-year, complex programme/project management or PMO commissions. Strong external network within Queensland government and infrastructure markets. Operating strategically and commercially, balancing long-term direction with disciplined execution of short-term priorities. Demonstrating sound judgement, accountability, and resilience in complex and ambiguous environments. Influencing senior stakeholders with clarity, confidence, and credibility. Champions Mace values, safety culture, sustainability, and social value outcomes through visible leadership and decision-making. Leads by example in ethical behavior and inclusion, setting clear expectations for others to follow. 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 organization. We are also open to discussing part time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role. Apply now for a confidential discussion. LI-Hybrid
