Senior Planner (Project Controls & Programme Planning)

We are seeking experienced Senior Planners to join a complex, high-profile engineering and infrastructure environment on an initial 18-month contract. This is an excellent opportunity for proactive and technically accomplished planning professionals to play a key role in delivering integrated programme planning, project controls and Earned Value Management (EVM) across large-scale, multidisciplinary projects. The successful candidates will take ownership of planning activities, maintain robust Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) and provide critical schedule analysis to support informed decision-making and successful programme delivery. Working closely with Project Managers, Engineers, Scientists and senior stakeholders, you will champion planning best practice and drive continuous improvement across the organisation.,

• Develop, maintain and manage Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), ensuring accuracy, integrity and alignment with programme objectives.
• Lead project planning activities using Primavera P6, providing expert guidance and promoting planning best practice.
• Deliver comprehensive project controls, planning and Earned Value Management (EVM) analysis.
• Undertake critical path analysis, schedule risk assessments and network analysis to identify potential programme impacts.
• Produce accurate schedule forecasts, performance reports and Earned Value variance analysis, including Schedule Performance Index (SPI).
• Support long-term operational and integrated programme planning activities.
• Review and maintain Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), recommending improvements where appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with Project Managers, Engineers and technical specialists to ensure effective schedule integration and stakeholder alignment.
• Implement and continuously improve planning processes, procedures, tools and reporting standards.
• Support the development and application of Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), templates and guidance.
• Provide planning expertise, technical support and peer reviews across multiple projects.
• Identify opportunities to improve programme efficiency, schedule performance and overall delivery outcomes.
  
  Significant experience as a Senior Planner within complex, large-scale engineering, infrastructure or technical programmes.
• Strong hands-on Primavera P6 expertise, with the confidence to lead planning activities and champion its effective use across projects.
• Proven experience developing and maintaining Integrated Master Schedules (IMS).
• Strong understanding of project controls, Earned Value Management (EVM) and schedule performance reporting.
• Excellent knowledge of planning fundamentals, critical path methodology and schedule/network analysis.
• Experience working within large corporate or highly regulated environments, ideally aerospace, defence, rail, nuclear, engineering or major infrastructure.
• Ability to demonstrate measurable improvements or added value to previous programmes and projects.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Confidence working with multidisciplinary teams, including Project Managers, Engineers and technical specialists.
• A proactive, organised and delivery-focused approach, with the ability to take ownership and drive planning improvements.
Desirable Experience
• Experience delivering planning activities within complex, safety-critical or highly regulated environments.
• Strong understanding of project governance, performance reporting and programme assurance.
• Experience supporting multiple interdependent projects or major integrated programmes.
• Demonstrable experience improving planning methodologies, processes and systems.