Operational Readiness Lead

SUMMARY:
Operational Readiness Lead | Mining Industry | Zimbabwe

POSITION INFO:
POSITION OVERVIEW
A major mining and processing operation is entering the critical transition phase from project execution into sustainable business operations. We are seeking an exceptional Operational Readiness Lead to drive and integrate all Operational Readiness (OR) activities across Project, Business, Operations, EPCM, OEM, Commissioning, and corporate functions to ensure a safe, efficient, and seamless handover into operations.
This role is both administrative and strategic in nature, serving as a critical execution leadership function accountable for ensuring the business is fully prepared to assume operational ownership across people, systems, governance, risk, maintenance, supply chain, safety, commissioning, and performance readiness.
The successful candidate will lead the integration of the Operational Readiness Framework (ORF), Project Operational Readiness (POR), and Business Operational Readiness (BOR) programmes through commissioning, handover, ramp-up, and operational stabilisation.
This is a highly visible role interfacing directly with executive leadership, project directors, operational leadership teams, OEMs, EPCMs, contractors, and commissioning teams.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Operational Readiness Leadership

• Lead the full Operational Readiness programme from execution through handover and ramp-up.
• Establish and manage the integrated OR governance structure, reporting systems, readiness reviews, and assurance processes.
• Drive alignment between Project Operational Readiness (POR) and Business Operational Readiness (BOR).
• Ensure operational ownership is embedded well before handover.
• Lead Operational Readiness Steering Committee (ORSC) engagements and executive reporting.

Integrated Readiness Planning & Execution

• Develop and maintain the integrated OR master plan and readiness schedule aligned to project milestones and commissioning phases.
• Drive readiness across all operational workstreams including:
• Operations
• Maintenance
• HSE
• Supply Chain
• Warehousing & Logistics
• HR & Workforce Readiness
• Systems & Technology
• Finance & Commercial
• Risk & Assurance
• Training & Competency
• Operational Procedures
• OEM Readiness
• Manage readiness gates, acceptance criteria, and operational certification milestones.

Commissioning, Handover & Ramp-Up

• Integrate OR activities into C1–C5 commissioning phases and operational handover strategy.
• Ensure operational teams are fully prepared for:
• Cold commissioning
• Hot commissioning
• Start-up
• Ramp-up
• Performance validation
• Coordinate readiness reviews, punch-list closeout, asset handovers, documentation acceptance, and operational acceptance certification.
• Ensure handover packages, operational procedures, maintenance systems, and training records are complete and verified.

Business & Operational Integration

• Drive the transition from project ownership to business ownership.
• Ensure operational structures, operating models, and departmental readiness are established prior to handover.
• Facilitate alignment between project teams and future operational leadership.
• Lead organisational readiness reviews (ORR) and operational integration milestones.

Systems, Technology & Data Readiness

• Ensure operational systems are integrated, validated, and fully functional prior to operations takeover.
• Drive ERP, CMMS, maintenance systems, reporting systems, and operational data readiness.
• Ensure asset registers, maintenance strategies, operational data, and digital systems are verified and operationally accepted.

Workforce Readiness & Competency

• Lead workforce readiness planning, recruitment coordination, onboarding, training, and competency assurance.
• Ensure competency verification systems and readiness certification processes are implemented.
• Coordinate OEM training, operational training, and maintenance capability development.
• Drive operational culture integration and change readiness initiatives.

Risk, Governance & Assurance

• Lead OR risk identification, mitigation, and readiness assurance processes.
• Develop and maintain Operational Readiness risk registers, action tracking systems, and assurance frameworks.
• Facilitate readiness audits, gap assessments, and executive readiness reporting.
• Escalate critical operational risks impacting safe startup or operational performance.

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships across executive leadership, operations, project delivery, EPCM partners, OEMs, contractors, and regulators.
• Act as the primary integrator between project execution and operational business readiness.
• Drive accountability across multidisciplinary teams in a high-pressure project environment.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 15+ years’ experience within mining, minerals processing, heavy industrial, or large capital projects.
• Proven experience leading Operational Readiness programmes on major brownfield or greenfield projects.
• Demonstrated success transitioning projects into operations within complex industrial environments.
• Strong exposure to:
• Commissioning & start-up
• Operations integration
• Ramp-up and performance optimisation
• Maintenance readiness
• Governance and assurance frameworks
• Operational risk management
• OEM integration
• Operational systems implementation
• Experience working within EPCM, owner’s team, or integrated project delivery environments.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholder engagement.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
The successful candidate should demonstrate strong capability in:

• Operational Readiness Frameworks (ORF / POR / BOR)
• Commissioning & start-up integration
• Operational handover governance
• Readiness planning and scheduling
• Risk and assurance management
• Operational systems integration
• Maintenance and reliability readiness
• Supply chain and logistics readiness
• SOP and operational procedure development
• Change management and organisational readiness
• Executive reporting and governance
• Readiness reviews and gate assurance
• Performance ramp-up and operational optimisation
• Budget and Cashflow
• Planning

LEADERSHIP PROFILE
We are seeking a highly driven operational leader with:

• Strong executive presence and influence
• Exceptional integration and coordination capability
• High resilience under pressure
• Strong commercial and operational acumen
• Ability to challenge constructively and drive accountability
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capability
• Strong governance discipline and execution focus
• A “hands-on” delivery mindset

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in Engineering, Mining, Metallurgy, Process Engineering, Operations Management, or related technical discipline.
• Postgraduate qualification advantageous.
• Project Management and/or Operational Readiness certification advantageous.

SUCCESS MEASURES
Success in this role will be measured by:

• Safe and efficient transition into operations
• Achievement of readiness milestones and gate approvals
• Operational acceptance and handover completion
• Workforce competency and operational capability readiness
• Successful commissioning integration
• Ramp-up performance achievement
• Reduction of operational startup risk
• Operational stability and performance within first 180 days post-start-up

IDEAL BACKGROUND
Candidates may come from:

• Mining Owner’s Teams
• EPCM organisations
• Operational Readiness consulting environments
• Large-scale processing operations
• Commissioning and start-up leadership roles
• Heavy industrial operational transition programmes

 
LOCATION & PROJECT STATUS

• Based in Bryanston, with a hybrid work model and regular on-site presence required during operational rollout
• Large-scale mining project approaching operational transition
• Initial 12-month contract with the option to extend

We are specifically seeking candidates with demonstrable Operational Readiness leadership experience on large-scale industrial or mining projects, not general project managers.
Candidates must have direct exposure to:

• Commissioning integration
• Operational handover
• Business readiness
• Ramp-up performance
• Cross-functional operational integration

 

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