Operation Specialist

What the work is

About the Role Wood is seeking an Operation Specialist to support its projects business in Saudi Arabia. This full-time role involves contributing to the development of a new gold mine and processing facility at a remote site. The specialist will be accountable for profit and loss, ensuring project delivery, and maintaining high standards of safety and quality. Key Responsibilities Manage P&L with associated commercial and financial accountability, including revenue, margin, overheads, budgeting, forecasting, risk/opportunity reviews, cost controls, and cash collection. Contribute to and review project proposals and plans to determine timelines, procedures, staffing, and resource allocation. Negotiate changes to project scope or specifications with customers and follow change management processes. Identify and develop opportunities for innovation, such as digitalization, technology use, and high-value engineering centers. Establish project procedures and lead the production of project execution plans, including scope of work, deliverables, master schedule, budget, and risk register. Report project progress regularly to senior management and customers. Promote and implement performance improvement initiatives across complex projects and their supply chains. Ensure the delivery of agreed schedules and financial performance, proactively addressing potential slippage. Lead ongoing risk identification and mitigation during project execution. Oversee project HSSE leadership, ensuring established initiatives, auditing schedules, and proactive management of HSSE and quality issues. Guide and direct multidisciplinary project teams, including external specialists and staff from multiple offices and sites. Ensure the competence of project team members for assigned work. Facilitate the setup of information management systems and applications relevant to project life phases. Participate in assurance activities and peer reviews. Qualifications and Certifications University degree in a relevant discipline. Project Management Professional (PMP), Associate in Project Management (APM), or equivalent certification is preferred. Required Experience and Skills Over 10 years of pertinent experience, with more than 20 years typically required, including managing projects or project components. Proficiency in the related field, industry, and work locations. Proven project management experience and a strong understanding of business issues. Thorough understanding of project management techniques, practices, goals, drivers, and strategies. Experience in developing and implementing success metrics and benefits for multiple projects. Knowledge of stakeholder prioritization and management plan development. Experience interfacing with key stakeholders to obtain, create, and maintain requirements and acceptance criteria. Good knowledge of industry and company risk management processes, including qualitative assessment methods and some quantitative techniques. Ability to use common estimating techniques for standard projects. Good knowledge of contract models, conditions, types, and their suitability. Capable of delivering effective project initiation on multi-phase projects and producing execution plans. Well-versed in international and company quality assurance standards. Knowledge of commercial and contract conditions for procurement. In-depth knowledge of scheduling techniques, project monitoring, and forecasting. Ability to manage change control processes for projects with multiple sub-contractors and interfaces. In-depth knowledge of project information types and management. Good knowledge of handover and close-out activities for customers, the company, and suppliers. Understanding of cash flow management and cost projection/forecast at completion. Personal Attributes Safety-focused with an uncompromising approach to risk management, prioritizing employee welfare. Committed to company values. Ability to motivate, engage, and influence diverse groups. Customer-focused, developing sincere relationships and striving to exceed expectations. Effective resource management skills (personnel, equipment, materials). Exceptional negotiation skills and ability to handle sensitive communications. Excellent verbal, written, and presentational communication skills. Work Environment This is a full-time position based at a remote site in Saudi Arabia, supporting the development of a new gold mine and processing facility.