At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Project Planner, ensuring successful engineering projects in water and energy.
- Company: United Living Group is dedicated to creating a sustainable future through innovative housing and infrastructure solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a collaborative work environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Be part of impactful projects that enhance communities and drive positive change in the industry.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in engineering, strong knowledge of NEC contracts, and proficiency in project management software required.
- Other info: Ideal for detail-oriented individuals who thrive in team settings and are passionate about project success.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Job Description
Role Purpose
The Planner is responsible for coordinating and scheduling all works across United Infrastructure\’s programmes, ensuring efficient deployment of field teams, compliance with customer requirements, and delivery within agreed timescales. The role ensures operational visibility, accurate forecasting, and optimised resource utilisation across planned, reactive, and project-based activities.
Key Responsibilities
Work Planning & Scheduling
- Develop and maintain daily, weekly, and long-term work schedules for field engineers and subcontract partners.
- Prioritise workloads based on SLAs, risk, operational impact, and customer requirements.
- Ensure that all jobs are fully prepared for delivery, including access arrangements, RAMS, materials, and resource allocation.
- Adjust schedules proactively to account for changes, delays, emergencies, and resource constraints.
Operational Coordination
- Work closely with Supervisors, Project Managers, Service Desk, and Field Teams to coordinate activities and ensure alignment with programme needs.
- Track the progress of active jobs, ensuring updates are logged and barriers to delivery are escalated promptly.
- Ensure work orders are issued accurately with full site and job information.
Resource Management
- Optimise utilisation of United Infrastructure\’s workforce through efficient planning, skill-matching, and workload balancing.
- Track and manage engineer availability, holidays, training, and certification status.
- Liaise with subcontractors to supplement resource capacity when required.
Access & Compliance Preparation
- Confirm all site access arrangements including permits, inductions, customer approvals, lock codes, and third-party coordination.
- Ensure all planned work is compliant with safety requirements, customer rules, and permit-to-work processes.
- Pre-check engineer compliance (training, PPE, certifications) ahead of deployment.
Data Administration & Reporting
- Maintain the planning schedule within operational systems (e.g., CRM, ERP, scheduling tools).
- Produce forecasts for workload, resource capacity, and potential bottlenecks.
- Support reporting for SLA performance, productivity, job turnaround times, and resource utilisation metrics.
- Identify trends, recurring issues, or inefficiencies and propose improvements.
Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
- Be a point of contact for customers regarding planning queries, delivery timelines, and schedule updates.
- Support customer programme calls by providing accurate, up-to-date planning data.
- Communicate schedule changes or risks to internal and external stakeholders promptly.
Essential
Skills & Experience
- Experience in a planning, coordination, or scheduling role within infrastructure, utilities, construction, engineering, or telecoms.
- Strong analytical and organisational skills with the ability to manage conflicting priorities.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Proficient with planning tools and Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, etc.).
- High attention to detail and accuracy in data handling and reporting.
Desirable
- Understanding of field engineering workflows (e.g., maintenance, installation, civils, rigging).
- Knowledge of H&S requirements including RAMS, permits, and work-at-height considerations.
- Experience in SLA-driven environments or working with major infrastructure clients.
Qualifications
- GCSEs or equivalent required; further education in business administration, project control, engineering, or similar is advantageous.
- Planning or project control certification (e.g., APM, Prince2, or equivalent) beneficial but not essential.
Personal Attributes
- Proactive, organised, and calm under pressure.
- Able to work collaboratively with multiple teams and stakeholders.
- Confident decision-maker with a problem-solving mindset.
- Customer-focused, reliable, and committed to continuous improvement.
Additional Information
United Living Benefits package
Planner employer: United Living group
Contact Detail:
United Living group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Planner
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the NEC form of contract, as it's essential for this role. Understanding its nuances will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the industry standards expected by United Living Group.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your skills with project management software, especially Primavera P6. Consider taking a short online course or tutorial to enhance your proficiency, as being well-versed in these tools can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the engineering and construction sectors, particularly those who have experience with infrastructure projects. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals within United Living Group.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've managed complex project schedules in the past. Highlighting your problem-solving abilities and attention to detail during the interview will showcase your fit for the Planner role.
We think you need these skills to ace Planner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in project planning, especially in the engineering or construction sectors. Emphasise your familiarity with NEC contracts and any specific software like Primavera P6.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your analytical skills and attention to detail. Mention specific projects where you successfully developed and implemented project plans, and how you contributed to their success.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your proficiency in project management software and your understanding of project scheduling principles. Use examples to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and teamwork experience.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any errors or inconsistencies. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a Project Planner role.
How to prepare for a job interview at United Living group
✨Know Your Software
Make sure you're familiar with project management software, especially Primavera P6. Be prepared to discuss your experience with it and how you've used it in past projects.
✨Understand the NEC Contract
Since strong knowledge of the NEC form of contract is essential, brush up on its key principles. Be ready to explain how you've applied this knowledge in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Skills
Prepare examples that showcase your analytical abilities. Discuss how you've developed project plans, identified risks, and proposed mitigation strategies in your past work.
✨Show Team Collaboration
Highlight your experience working with cross-functional teams. Share specific instances where your communication and interpersonal skills helped achieve project goals.