Manager - Operational Readiness

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled and proactive Manager - Operational Readiness to lead the development, maintenance, and governance of our integrated Operational Readiness (OR) schedule. In this pivotal role, you will ensure that all OR activities, milestones, and dependencies are meticulously aligned with asset delivery timelines, trial operations, and opening dates. As the single source of truth for OR programme scheduling, you will provide early visibility of risks to readiness milestones, enabling proactive decision-making and risk mitigation. Your expertise will be instrumental in driving the successful transition from project delivery to full operational readiness, ensuring seamless asset openings and sustained operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

As the Manager - Operational Readiness, your core responsibilities will include:

• Integrated OR Master Schedule Development: Build and maintain a comprehensive OR master schedule using Primavera P6, covering all critical workstreams such as workforce mobilisation, training, systems readiness, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), permits and licensing, Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment (FF&E)/Operating Supplies & Equipment (OS&E), trial operations, and handover processes.
• Alignment with Project Delivery: Ensure seamless alignment of OR schedules with project delivery milestones, stage gates, and asset opening dates. Maintain robust interfaces with the Project Management Office (PMO) and delivery partner schedules to foster collaboration and avoid conflicts.
• Countdown and T-Minus Planning: Develop detailed countdown plans and T-minus schedules for asset openings, including trial operations and soft opening phases, to ensure all stakeholders are aligned on critical timelines and dependencies.
• Progress Tracking and Risk Management: Monitor progress against baseline schedules, identify slippage, and assess critical path impacts. Proactively escalate risks to readiness milestones, providing actionable recovery options to mitigate potential delays.
• Reporting and Governance: Produce high-impact scheduling reports, dashboards, and lookaheads using Power BI and Excel. Present these insights to OR leadership and governance forums to support data-driven decision-making.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with functional leads to gather schedule inputs and consolidate updates on an agreed cadence, ensuring all workstreams remain synchronised and aligned with operational objectives.
• Schedule Integrity and Documentation: Maintain rigorous schedule change control, baseline management, and thorough documentation of assumptions and dependencies to uphold schedule integrity and transparency.
• Workforce Ramp-Up Support: Align recruitment, onboarding, and training timelines with operational need dates to ensure a smooth and timely workforce ramp-up, fully prepared to meet operational demands upon asset opening.

Requirements

To excel in this role, you will bring the following qualifications and experience:

• A Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5-8 years of progressive scheduling and planning experience, preferably within operational readiness, giga-projects, entertainment/hospitality openings, or large-scale infrastructure programmes.
• Hands-on expertise in Primavera P6, including advanced skills in baseline management and change control on complex, multi-faceted programmes.
• Proven experience supporting asset openings, trial operations, or transitions from commissioning to operations, with a track record of delivering high-impact results in high-pressure environments.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, PMI-SP, or equivalent are highly advantageous and will be considered a strong asset.

Why Join Us?

This is an exceptional opportunity to play a central role in shaping the operational readiness of a landmark project. You will work alongside a dynamic team of professionals, leveraging your scheduling expertise to drive efficiency, mitigate risks, and ensure the successful launch of world-class assets. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for operational excellence and a proven ability to manage complex schedules, we invite you to apply and take the next step in your career with us.