Operations Director - Specialists.

Operations Director - Specialists
We are looking for an Operations Director for our Specialists group in the UK. This role will see you providing crucial people and operational leadership to a diverse array of technical disciplines. This is a highly collaborative role which will act as a key enabler to our growth and strategic ambitions for specialist disciplines in the UK. Here at Buro Happold, expect the exceptional. From the projects you will work on to the clients we work with. From career-defining opportunities to an inclusive and diverse practice where we all contribute to a more equitable world. From our reputation to our relationships. Wherever your Buro Happold career takes you, it’ll be anything but ordinary.
Your next role
The Specialists group houses all of our specialist buildings teams, including Acoustics and Audio Visual Consulting, Analytics and Crowd Dynamics, Asset Consultancy, Façade Engineering, Fire Engineering, Inclusive Design, Laboratory Consulting, Lighting, Security, and Technology. The group comprises approximately employees and is distributed across all of our UK offices. In this role you will report to the UK Head of Specialists, who holds executive accountability for the success of the Specialist teams which sit in the UK. Your key focus areas are expected to be as follows;
In conjunction with the HR Business Partner for Specialists, provide pastoral care / oversight of HR issues, recruitment, promotions & reward within the Specialist Unit.
Development and success of the Specialist Discipline Leaders through effective line management.
Monitoring the delivery of specialist project teams for multi-discipline bids and projects.
High level management of resource (insofar as it relates to headcount, recruitment, growth etc.) within the Specialist Unit.
Carrying out strategic discipline reviews and management of the implementation of actions associated with discipline strategy defined as a result of the discipline reviews.
Development of an effective Business Development strategy in order to foster product enhancement, innovation and competitive market positioning in accordance with the regional strategy.
Develop and implement global strategies, for example Net Zero Carbon Route Map, Decarbonisation, Social Value etc.
Across these areas, you will inform the Head of Specialists of your proposed approaches (and seek confirmation that these are compatible with the overall strategy) but will otherwise be given autonomy to execute decisions. You will partner with the Head of Specialists and receive direction on aspirations for business strategy and performance, but will work relatively autonomously within the business unit to deliver these aspirations.
What will success look like?
The Specialist teams supporting the business aspirations for growth and development. High levels of engagement across the Specialist community. Pastoral, HR, reward and promotional issues being taken care of in a manner which is fair, equitable and supportive of the wider business goals. The Specialist teams being trusted, valued, collaborative and supportive of the wider business with respect to projects and bids.
Your skills & experience
Experience leading teams of senior professionals in an engineering or built-environment consultancy setting, this could be from the perspective of Discipline Leadership, Resource Management, General Operations, or similar. Ability to evidence successful line management of team leaders and senior professionals. Awareness of the importance of good financial hygiene and experience of such. Exposure across general HR matters (pay reviews, recruitment, performance management etc.). Excellent organisational skills. Ability to prioritise issues, including the cyclical varying of focus from macro to micro, depending on the needs of individual teams and situations. Must be a highly credible and respected leader of people – able to relate and inspire.
At Buro Happold, everyone else’s extraordinary is just our everyday. Apply today and be a part of our legacy.
A place for everyone
Buro Happold values individuals' flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of the way you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers. Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive. We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalized groups in the built environment and are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing difference allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions. Please let us know if there are any adjustments we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Contact so we can work with you to support you throughout your application.
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