Group Leader, Specialist Services

Purpose of Job 

Provision of leadership, management, and strategic direction for the Group. Provide required support to Team Leaders and Project Technical Leads to ensure overall Group is consistently focused in terms of resourcing, safety, work winning, QA adherence, risk management, and staff morale. Support the career aspirations and learning and development requirements of Group staff. Support  Sector Leaders in representing the company externally to Clients and play a senior and active role in managing these relationships. Reinforce cultural behaviours across the Group. 

It is anticipated that Group Leaders will play a leading part in the delivery of projects, either through a technical leadership role or through a Project Management role. This Job Description should be read in conjunction with the Project Manager Functional Description or the PTL Job Description as appropriate.

Essential Functions

Leadership

• Management of current and future workloads/staffing levels within the Group to achieve attainment of work received and utilisation targets whilst ensuring staff morale is not compromised below acceptable levels. oversee resourcing management, which will be carried out by Team Leader(s).
• Gain and earn the trust of Group staff and the BC leadership group.
• Create and foster great Project Technical Leads and great Team Leaders. Provide any required support for Team Leaders and  Project Technical Leads to enable them to perform successfully at all levels.
• Create and foster a strong working relationship with the appropriate members of the Pune team to continually strengthen and grow the IGW activity.
• Ensure that the Group maintains an appropriate level of service to key Clients, by supporting Sector Leaders, Market Leaders and Project Managers in the successful delivery of projects.
• Have an awareness of all significant projects within the Group through involvement to an appropriate degree.
• Lead Group strategic direction in respect of the development of staff, both technical and professional.   -Implement a strategic planning process with your leadership team to identify 1-, 3- and 5-year goals and strategies for the Group as a whole. Review this Strategic Plan regularly.
• Assist all direct reports to develop a clear career path strategy.
• In conjunction with Team Leaders, recruit culturally compatible staff with suitable skills to facilitate the workload generated by the Group.
• Proactively and regularly communicate with Group staff on strategic, risk, resourcing and workload issues via Group meetings, Team Leaders and other appropriate forums.
• Regularly interact with and seek input from other members of the leadership group. Consider feedback at all levels but be prepared to make and communicate decisions.
• Lead and foster a culture of continuous technical, procedural and QA improvement within the Group. This responsibility may be shared with a local Discipline Technical Lead and other Team Leader(s) within the Group.
• Maintain a strong team spirit within the Group with the aim of maximising staff satisfaction and minimising voluntary staff turnover.
• Be the first point of contact in the Group when we are made aware of significant technical issues on projects (including potential claims). Actively assist any involved Team Leaders / Project Technical Leads.
• Ensure an ongoing succession plan is in place and shared with the BCOL.
• Lead by example in all areas

Cultural

• Manage the staff within the Group with regard to training, reviews, recruitment, disciplinary action, promotion, and dismissal, in consultation with BCOL/HR/Team Leader(s). Other Team Leader(s) within the Group will manage training, staff reviews, career development and performance of their direct reports.
• Promotes an environment of inclusion and diversity and a safe environment for people to express their views.
• Co-ordinate with other Group Leaders and/or other Team Leader(s) within the Group to constructively manage workload levels through fair distribution of staffing and skill levels in Group to minimise periods of overload on staff.
• Challenge staff and ensure opportunity for development is offered to high performers.
• Ensure Team Leaders within the Group provide timely and co-ordinated incentives for staff who have performed “above and beyond” what would normally be expected.
• Assess the impact of large projects on the whole Group and share strategies for minimising distortion and overload with all Group staff prior to commencement.
• Ensure the Group acts in the interests of exceptional service –both internal and external.
• Participate in extra-curricular activities with your team where possible.
• Provide timely, detailed feedback to Group staff regarding technical and cultural performance.
• Facilitate celebration of project successes and milestones.
• Identify high performers -reward them and do all you can to ensure their long-term retention.
• Be aware of poor performers –manage them in a timely way in accordance with firm but fair principles.
• Support and assist Team Leaders and Group staff when required e.g., on problem jobs, in overload situations, in circumstances where clients treat them unfairly and in times of personal crisis.
• Seek input and ideas from staff and manage concerns constructively.
• Go out of your way to support other people within the organisation at all levels, including Sector Leaders, other discipline Group Leaders, Team Leaders, Project Technical Leads, Engineers, and corporate staff.
• Proactively assist all direct reports to satisfy their technical, leadership or cultural responsibilities and support accordingly.

Management & Technical

• Manage personal workload to ensure sustainable balance between necessary project involvement, Group performance and Group Leader responsibilities
• Work to achieve Pune FTE targets as established at the commencement of each year.  Ensure to include relevant Pune team members in resourcing meetings and other group gatherings as appropriate.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and proactively engage with your Group disciplines in other offices.
• Set and communicate performance goals for all direct reports.
• Ensure collaboration between Team Leader(s) and Project Technical Leads in your Group in relation to technical issues, resource sharing and project reviews.
• Ensure all Group staff are aware of risk and what they should do to minimise it.
• Monitor and manage the risk exposure associated with work produced by the Group.
• Facilitate training in technical and leadership skills opportunities which match the needs of staff.
• Make yourself available within the office to adequately supervise personal project work.
• Carry out the implementation and ensure the adherence by Project Technical Leads and delivery staff to quality procedures and standards. Minimise project discipline non-conformances by actively managing.
• Undertake staff reviews for direct reports on time and ensure that outcomes are genuinely acted on within timeframes agreed.
• Set Group salaries in liaison with Team Leaders/BCOL/HR.
• Authorise the purchase of training courses, incidental resources or equipment as required. Liaise with Team Leaders and the BCOL if required.KPI’s and key Drivers

• Group utilisation against annual set targets
• Group Pune FTE targets
• Management of staff in a day to day sense which includes managing aspects such as flexible working, team interaction, team engagement, culture and relationships
• Successful completion of goal setting at an individual level for everybody in your Group at the commencement of every year.
• Successful half yearly performance conversations and goal check ins with each of your direct reports on an individual basis, whilst also driving completion across the whole Group
• Successful completion of annual performance review conversations with each direct report including the identification of any actions arising and the necessary follow up and completion of same

Education and Experience

•  Significant relevant and demonstrated experience in people and team leadership
• Tertiary Engineering qualification
• Licenced/chartered (or equivalent) status with relevant national industry body, or working towards, is highly regarded
• 10+ years professional experience in the relevant technical discipline