The Alliance Business Operations Director will provide the key enabling capabilities (as part of a ‘high performance’ service provision) for the Alliance Management team (Submarine Delivery Agency, BAE Systems and Rolls Royce) to underpin the delivery of the Dreadnought Programme.
In addition, this role will lead in the definition and evolution of a collaborative and open culture, which engenders constructive behaviours in line with the Alliance principles. As a direct report to the Alliance Managing Director (AMD), the Alliance Business Operations Director will be a full member of the Alliance Management Committee (AMC).
The role is open to hybrid working arrangements with occasional travel to Barrow, Bristol or Derby.
- Key responsibilities include:
- Lead in the development and implementation of an Alliance Business Operations Strategy (which will see subordinate strategies for People, Communications, IT, Information & Knowledge Management, Quality, Security) to support implementation of the Alliance Business Plan;
- Lead in the evolution and provision of core enabling capabilities to transition the Alliance Target Operating Model (TOM) to steady state and deliver the commitments made within the annual Alliance Business Plan;
- Lead in the management and maintenance of the Alliance Operating Model once the project has achieved the desired level of maturity - from September 2022;
- Lead in the development and sustainment of the processes, systems, infrastructure and physical assets i.e. accommodation and hardware, data and technology to optimise and ensure effective ways of working and ensure security obligations are adhered to;
- Co-ordinate the Occupational Health, Safety & Environment activities for the APT working with the Alliance Parties, including the response to the independent report;
- Manage the total running costs of the Alliance Project Team (CAPEX & OPEX) in line with annual budget established c.£14M (delivered through the Alliance Control Account Manager) with associated processes and submissions; and
- Act as the focal point to ensure business continuity for the APT, working with the Alliance Parties, operating across Bristol Derby and Barrow sites.
- Main Activities
- Build effective working level relationships with members of the AMC to elicit their support requirements to inform the development of the Alliance Business Operations Strategy - underpinned by credible and coherent implementation plans (with supporting project management artefacts and discipline to deliver)
- Functional leadership responsibilities, oversight of the development and delivery of functional outputs, capabilities and outcomes across the Business Operations teams
- Strategic advice to the MD and Alliance Management Committee (AMC) Leadership Board (ALB) in the development and deployment of a high performing culture across the Alliance Project Team and wider Alliance
- Management and maintenance of the Alliance Operating Model activities, outputs and outcomes in readiness for the next round of contracting arrangements
- Strategic advice to the MD and ALB in the effectiveness and evolution of Alliance Project Team assurance and governance activities – Post DP3 alignment
- Context & Current Issues - Key issues for the post holder to address include:
- Leveraging and building on the cultures of each Alliance party to establish and develop a high performing culture across the Alliance Project Team that underpins the strategic intent for the Programme;
- Resourcing and building the requisite capabilities within the Alliance Project Team to transition the TOM to steady state and build a level of maturity /'readiness' to contract beyond Delivery Phase 3;
- Effective oversight and evolution of the Dreadnought Programme Communications strategy that reflects and embraces the diverse needs of the stakeholders through the most efficient and effective communication channels;
- Effective oversight and evolution of an IT Strategy and Roadmap that supports multi-site / multi-party architectures in the provision of a seamless 'way of working' for the Alliance Project Team adopting and enabling smart-working principles; and
- Liaising with Key Ministry of Defence and Industry Parties stakeholders to develop appropriate multi-site accommodation & security solutions for the Alliance Project Team.
- Managing People
- The post holder's directorate consists of c.35 people, drawn from across the Alliance parties (Submarine Delivery Agency, BAE Systems and Rolls Royce)
- The scope of the role comprises: Communications, Engagement, Resourcing, Values and Behaviours, Business Management, People Management (HR, Reward and Recognition, Talent and Performance Management, On-Boarding etc.) Security, Site Accommodation and the Provision of IT and Information Knowledge & Management Services, Assurance & Operational Risk
- The Target Operating Model is a project, currently scheduled to conclude September 2022, at which time it will become a Business as Usual role
- Accountability
- The post holder will be accountable for the creation and execution of the Business Operations Strategy and all subordinate strategies (e.g. People, Communications, IT, Information & Knowledge Management, Security) drawing on the knowledge, skills and experience of their functional direct reports and teams to deliver.
- Any specific delegations will be defined as part of the post holders application and evolution of Alliance Project Team assurance and governance arrangements.
- Judgement
- At overall programme level, the post holder will need to work closely with the AMC in support of balancing performance, time and cost on a 'best for programme' basis. On a programme of this scale, wrong decisions will have significant capability, schedule and cost consequences.
- Decisions will need to be taken quickly to maintain Programme momentum and will often need to be taken with incomplete or immature data to ensure every day counts. These decisions – and their consequences – will be visible at the highest levels within Defence and wider Government and their ability to engage effectively with very senior stakeholders will be vital to their success. Delays in decisions which impact Programme delivery may threaten the Ministry of Defence's ability to sustain Continuous at Sea Deterrent and will drive significant additional cost on the Programme, ultimately impacting the Defence budget.
- Influencing
- Exceptional influencing and negotiating skills, the ability to influence across a broad spectrum, to resolve conflicts at a high level, and to have the presence to command respect at the highest levels in industry and Government.
- The ability to manage and engage with a diverse range of partners and stakeholders at all levels to promote and enhance the reputation of the Alliance and the role of Business Operations.
- The post holder will be required to tailor their approach (depending on seniority and reason for involvement) and deploy a range of techniques (depending on function/role) to secure buy in from stakeholders and build confidence in the Business Operations capability underpinning the delivery of the Dreadnought Programme.
- The post holder will need to persuade Alliance industry parties to commit resources in line with commitments made to the Alliance Project Team as part of Delivery Phase 3 and beyond