Operations Director - Programme Management

Overview

Lead rail sector growth, client relations, and delivery for Saudi giga-projects.

Key Responsibilities

• client management
• project delivery
• digital delivery
• decarbonisation
• financial management
• strategy development

Tasks

-Client relationship management: Act as the Mace key interface with clients, influence them at the board level, access key decision-makers, and build strong client advocacy. -Project delivery oversight: Ensure the quality of delivery for major and complex rail projects, from initial setup and mobilisation through to operational readiness. -The role will include developing sector strategy and business plans, leading client engagement and business development initiatives, ensuring operational excellence and governance across projects, and fostering innovation in digital delivery, decarbonisation, and mobility integration. -Team leadership and development: Build and lead a team, develop capacity to deliver future projects. -Financial and performance management: Be accountable for the and commercial returns of the rail sector and oversee the performance of current Mace rail commissions. -The Rail Sector Lead will provide strategic leadership and technical direction for the Mace consult rail portfolio across Saudi Arabia, supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambition to deliver world-class, integrated transport infrastructure. -The Rail Sector Lead will act as the business units’ key point of contact - aligning consultancy capability with the Kingdom’s transformation agenda and ensuring sustainable, high-performance outcomes. -Generating new business, building the company's proposition, managing commercial returns, and providing thought leadership to influence clients at a high level. -This senior position is responsible for shaping and executing the consultancy’s rail growth strategy, building enduring client relationships, and ensuring the successful delivery of major rail and transit programmes across the region. -Market positioning: Advance the Mace consult service offering, provide thought leadership, and position Mace as a trusted program partner in the region. -Business strategy and growth: Develop and implement a national rail strategy to secure Mace consult new and existing business, create strategic alliances, and serve as the capture lead on key pursuits. -Working closely with government entities, master developers, and programme delivery organisations, the rail sector lead will oversee multidisciplinary teams providing programme management, project controls, design management, and strategic advisory services.

Requirements

• rail integration
• digital
• sustainability
• chartered
• 20+ years
• leadership

What You Bring

-Deep understanding of rail systems integration, project governance, safety, and assurance frameworks. -Inspirational leadership style with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and talent development. -Proven experience in developing and delivering major rail programmes - heavy rail, metro, or high-speed - across design, delivery, and operational readiness. -The role requires strong commercial acumen, a deep understanding of international rail systems, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments across giga projects such as Qiddiya, NEOM, The Line, and Riyadh metro. -Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams across engineering, project management, and advisory functions. -Demonstrated ability to develop client relationships at executive level and grow key accounts within the rail and mobility sector. -Experience shaping strategic bids and leading market propositions aligned to Vision 2030 and national transport strategies. -Demonstrated track record in the Middle East or other international complex project environments. -Skilled in stakeholder management across ministries, developers, and international delivery partners. -Bachelor’s degree in engineering, project management, transport planning, or related discipline (Master’s preferred). -Familiarity with delivery models such as PMC, PMO, D&B, and PPP. -Strong knowledge of digital transformation, sustainability, and decarbonisation within transport infrastructure. -20+ years’ experience in rail and mass transit, including at least 10 years in leadership roles within consultancy, client, or delivery organisations. -Strong commercial and financial management capability, including business planning, P&L responsibility, and resource strategy. -Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills. -Chartered status with a recognised professional body (e.g. ICE, IMechE, APM, PMI) or equivalent international accreditation. -Strategic thinker who balances long-term vision with operational delivery. -Culturally aware and adaptable, with experience working in multinational and diverse teams.

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Benefits

-Group rapid transit. -Safety First - Going home safe and well -Secondary urban axis. -Automated light rail transit/monorail.

About Mace

-Founded in 1990 by ex-Bovis professionals aiming to overhaul a confrontational construction sector. -Headquartered in London. -Delivers iconic projects such as skyscrapers and transport networks. -Known for projects like the London Eye, The Shard, and Dubai’s record-breaking Ferris wheel. -Specializes in sectors including arts, defence, energy & utilities, transport, and stadiums. -Blends consultancy services with hands-on construction delivery. -Managing programs such as Ontario’s Metrolinx rail tunnel.

Sector Specialisms