Systems & Service Operations Director – Controls

Systems & Service Operations Director For Controls

The Systems & Service Operations Director for Controls is accountable for operational governance and execution excellence across the Controls Order-to-Cash lifecycle. This role ensures disciplined Percentage of Completion management, predictable backlog-to-invoice conversion, and strong system governance across countries and Controls domains. The position establishes standard work through robust SOPs and provides functional leadership to country and domain systems leaders to ensure consistency, compliance, and cash velocity. The role also defines SOP and governance for pre sales and after sales engineering for EMEA.

Key Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end governance of the Controls Order-to-Cash process from order release through execution, revenue recognition, invoicing, and cash realization.
• Ensure Controls projects are executed in line with contractual milestones, system readiness, and commercial commitments.
• Act as the single operational authority connecting project execution systems, finance processes, and service delivery.

Percentage of Completion Management

• Establish and govern a standardized Percentage of Completion framework for Controls service projects.
• Ensure accurate progress measurement tied to physical completion, system commissioning, and cost consumption.
• Drive consistent application of POC rules across countries to eliminate revenue volatility and late recognition.
• Partner with Finance to ensure compliance with accounting standards and internal controls.

Service Systems Leadership & Country Governance

• Provide functional leadership and governance to Country and Domain Controls Service Systems Leaders.
• Define operating rhythms, review cadences, and escalation paths for system execution risks.
• Ensure consistent system usage and data quality across Controls service platforms.

Standard Operating Procedures & Standard Work

• Design, deploy, and maintain structured SOPs covering all critical Controls service workflows including:
• Order handoff from Projects to Service
• Progress updates and POC validation
• Change order and variation handling
• Invoicing readiness and release
• Drive adoption of standard work to reduce execution variability across countries and service teams.

Backlog Health & Invoicing Conversion

• Monitor Controls service backlog health including aging, stalled projects, and unbilled value.
• Identify root causes preventing backlog conversion such as system gaps, milestone misalignment, or execution delays.
• Lead corrective actions to improve invoice timeliness and backlog burn rate.
• Ensure invoicing reflects true execution status and contractual terms.

Performance Management & Continuous Improvement

• Define and track key Controls service KPIs including:
• POC accuracy and forecast reliability
• Backlog aging and conversion rate
• Invoice cycle time
• Revenue leakage and rework
• Lead structured problem-solving to address systemic execution issues.
• Drive continuous improvement using lean, standard work, and operational excellence principles.

Cross-Functional Alignment

• Work closely with Controls Service Operations, Project Management, Finance, IT, and Commercial teams.
• Ensure execution systems support scalable Controls growth and digital service expansion.
• Align operational processes with customer delivery expectations and long-term service lifecycle objectives.

What We Look For

• Senior leadership experience in operations, project operations, or systems governance within a global, multi-country environment.
• Strong understanding of project execution, commissioning workflows, and service lifecycle management.
• Deep expertise in Order-to-Cash processes and Percentage of Completion Accounting.
• Proven ability to design and enforce SOPs and standard work at scale.
• Strong influencing skills in matrix organizations with indirect leadership accountability.
• Highly analytical, data-driven, and execution-focused leadership style.