The Operations Director is responsible for operational leadership and support for the Global IS Business Line, achieved by working in collaboration with the Senior Leadership team to enable the efficient, productive, cost effective and safe delivery of Integrated Solutions to all clients. The Operations Director will adopt a whole of SJ Group view in line with all of SJ Group’s Strategic Plans, Business Plans and financial targets.
The incumbent will role model SJ Group values, ethics and code of conduct and ensure all business activities are carried out in accordance with these guiding principles
1. Provide COO, IS high level operational management support to achieve SJ Group’s vision and values through effective commercial and collaborative leadership practices;
2. Ensure optimal commercial management of the IS Business line sectors.
3. Provide leadership that ensures optimal project performance through resourcing, mobilization, engagement/retention and professional development of employees;
4. Provide active and visible leadership to strategic initiatives and projects to achieve an efficient, balanced and sustainable business.
• To support COO, IS to Outline, monitor, evaluate and recommend strategic and annual business plans for the sector and each sub sector to achieve significant improvement in the overall Business Line operations;
• Ensure the overall Sector structures supports the delivery of the business plan;
• Provide professional opinions, guidance and support to the Global Integrated Solutions Leadership team in identifying, preparing and delivering SJ Group services in line with SJ Group objectives and strategies;
• Prepare reports to CE, COO, Board, and for other relevant business reporting as required by the Business Line and SJ Group;
• Provide oversight and governance of projects in the Business Line to enable resolution of project issues and ensure project product is of high quality.
• Shared accountability to the COO, IS for the overall operational success and financial performance of the multiple markets and the achievement of associated revenue and cost budgets;
• Oversight of financial and management reporting against Business Line plans;
• Effective management and adequate mitigation of business unit, OHS, project and associated opportunities and risks;
• Effective project governance through undertaking Project Director level roles and/or sitting on Project Review Boards or similar, to achieve optimal project performance in terms of scope, budget, timeliness and quality.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of a high performing culture capable of delivering sustainable growth in reputation, revenue and profitability through motivating and rewarding the right performance and behaviours in line with SJ Group’s values;
• Develop and/or enable the recruitment of key talent critical to the ongoing development of the business and in line with business plans, succession planning and/or career development strategies;
• Ensure projects are adequately resourced with appropriately qualified and experienced team members;
• Sponsor and be a role model for active participation and promotion of resourcing activities by championing employee development opportunities, succession planning, training and mentoring of senior employees, diversity and inclusion and alignment to SJ Group’s Values and culture.
• Champion and lead actions defined in the Strategic Plan and Business Plan;
• Review Sector performance and engage with the Global Integrated Solutions Leadership team to develop and implement improvement initiatives;
• Develop proposals and deliver support to achieve a balanced and sustainable business;
• Participate in the negotiation of major projects within broad policy guidelines and delegations of authority as required;
• Support new business within the Integrated Solutions Business Line
Formal Qualifications
• Tertiary qualifications in Engineering or a related discipline
• Tertiary qualifications in Business Management (e.g., Master of Business Administration – highly regarded)
• Project Management qualification (desirable)
Experience
At least 15+ years of relevant industry experience and has the demonstrated ability to consistently:
• Lead, inspire and manage diverse functional teams and significant projects;
• Manage, develop and resource diverse teams effectively for high performance and cohesion;
• Build trusting and productive client relationships;
• Achieve and exceed business targets;
• Manage a multi-disciplinary consulting business with revenue of over $100M;
• Manage an infrastructure/ related project of >$50M efficiently and successfully to budget and client specifications;
• Engage key stakeholders to effectively achieve exceptional project outcomes;
• Board level reporting and communicating with the Board and other key stakeholders;
• Provide leadership, supervision and coaching to other team members.
Skills / Knowledge
• Proven management experience at a senior level; must be an effective manager by exception;
• Exceptional communication skills to advise and guide project design development in a pro-active manner and to represent the SMEC design team as a valuable contributor to projects;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively identify the appropriate resourcing and skills development within the Sector;
• High level commercial acumen and effective strategically planning skills;
• Ability to identify the appropriate resourcing for general business management and projects;
• Ability to actively manage and drive performance in diverse teams;
• Sound administrative skills and a proven record of successful staff management;
• Strong leadership and motivational ability.
