Head of Operations

Job Title: Head of Project Operations

Location:
Lagos, Nigeria (Hybrid) Employment Type: Full-Time

Experience:
10+ Years Department: Project Operations Grade/Level: Executive / Senior Leadership Reports To: Managing Director JOB SUMMARYThe Head of Project Operations drives predictable, profitable, and scalable project delivery across the organisation. This role is responsible for developing and managing end-to-end operational systems, leading site and project teams, enforcing operational standards, and ensuring all active projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with established gross margin targets. The successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership across project delivery, ensuring effective coordination of resources, strong execution controls, cost management, and continuous improvement while reducing executive involvement in day-to-day project execution. PRINCIPAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES1. Strategic Operational Leadership & Systems Design
• Build, standardise, and scale operational systems, stage-gate controls, and project governance frameworks to support predictable project delivery.
• Establish and enforce operational standards, project execution procedures, and project lifecycle frameworks.
• Establish project review rhythms, reporting cadences, and operational compliance expectations across all site and delivery teams.
• Develop effective operational structures, delegation frameworks, and accountability systems to reduce executive involvement in day-to-day project execution. 2. Project Delivery, Execution & Recovery
• Oversee all active interior build, workspace setup, and architectural projects to ensure timely delivery, specification accuracy, and quality excellence.
• Establish proactive monitoring mechanisms to track project health, timelines, milestone completions, and resource allocation.
• Design and execute recovery plans for at-risk projects facing schedule delays, quality issues, or logistical challenges.
• Conduct regular site visits, audits, and performance reviews to ensure execution discipline and safety compliance across project environments. 3. Commercial, Margin & Risk Management
• Own commercial risk controls, variation approvals, and change order management to minimise budget overruns and margin leakage.
• Partner closely with Quantity Surveying, Procurement, and Finance to ensure gross margin targets are established, tracked, and protected throughout the project lifecycle.
• Proactively manage project risks, material lead times, and contractor performance to prevent cost variances.
• Monitor project budgets, expenditure, and financial performance to ensure commercial objectives are achieved. 4. Cross-Functional Alignment & Team Leadership
• Lead, mentor, and build a high-accountability culture across Project Managers, Quantity Surveyors, Procurement, and Site Operations teams.
• Drive seamless cross-functional alignment between Design, Business Development, Procurement, and Project Delivery teams from project handover through final closeout.
• Establish clear performance expectations, responsibilities, and reporting structures across project teams.
• Foster a high-performance, execution-focused operational culture built on ownership, follow-through, and decisive problem-solving. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
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Education:
Bachelor's degree in Project Management, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related field. A Master's degree or PMP/PMI certification is an added advantage.
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Experience:
Minimum of 10+ years of progressive project delivery leadership experience in commercial interior design/build, construction, or workspace infrastructure projects.
• Track Record: Proven success managing large-scale project portfolios, leading cross-functional delivery teams, protecting project gross margins, and driving process standardisation. SKILLS AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTSNon-Negotiable Core Skills
• Large-Scale Project Delivery & Execution Leadership.
• Operational Systems Design & Process Standardisation.
• Commercial & Margin Management.
• Team Leadership & Performance Management.
• Risk Management & Project Recovery Planning. Technical & Professional Competencies
• Advanced knowledge of project management frameworks, site operations, stage-gate execution controls, and quality assurance workflows.
• Strong financial acumen, including project budgeting, value engineering, change-order recovery, and gross margin protection.
• Proficiency in project management software, project tracking dashboards, and reporting tools.
• Strong understanding of construction processes, contractor management, procurement coordination, and project cost controls. Behavioural & Cultural Competencies
• Systems-Driven Thinking: Structured problem-solver focused on building repeatable processes rather than relying on ad-hoc solutions.
• High Ownership & Accountability: Takes full ownership of project outcomes and builds team accountability without creating dependency.
• Execution Focus: Strong bias for action, results, and meticulous follow-through under tight execution timelines.
• Crisis Leadership: Calm, authoritative, and decisive under high pressure and demanding project timelines. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)
• Project On-Time Delivery Rate (%).
• Project Gross Margin (%).
• Budget Variance (%).
• Change Order Recovery Rate (%).
• Client Escalation Rate and Client Satisfaction Score (CSAT).
• Project Systems and Reporting Compliance (%).
• Project Recovery Success Rate (%).