At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning and project controls for bids and live projects, ensuring productivity and budget adherence.
- Company: Dynamic engineering firm focused on innovative construction solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Hands-on role with opportunities for site visits and team collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by optimising project performance and mentoring future planners.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering or construction management; experience in planning and project controls required.
The predicted salary is between 48600 - 59400 £ per year.
The Planning Manager is a hands-on role, leading planning and project controls across all bids and live projects.
You will build and own the programmes yourself, get out on site to check progress at the workface, and make sure our projects are productive, on programme and on budget.
Working alongside project, construction and commercial teams, you will track planned against actual progress and man-hours, spot productivity issues early and put recovery plans in place.
You will also lead and develop our planners, setting the standard for planning across the business.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Build, own and maintain detailed baseline programmes in Primavera P6 for bids and live projects, including logic, durations, resources and key client milestones.
- Produce 3-week look-ahead and short-term programmes with site teams, so supervisors know exactly what needs doing and what they need to do it.
- Update programmes weekly against real site progress, with clear narratives showing what has moved and why.
- Make sure planning standards, templates and procedures are applied consistently on every project.
- Get out on site regularly, walk the job with supervisors and verify progress at the workface.
- Set up and run progress measurement on every project - installed quantities, earned hours and percentage complete against plan.
- Track planned against actual man-hours and productivity by discipline and area (containment, cable pulling, terminations, testing and commissioning), and flag early where we are falling behind.
- Work with Project Managers and supervisors to find the root cause of lost productivity - access, materials, design information, resource - and get it fixed.
- Build labour histograms and resource forecasts so we have the right people in the right place at the right time.
- Lead recovery planning when projects fall behind, with realistic, costed options.
- Link programme and cost with the Commercial team, giving accurate progress, earned value and forecast data for monthly cost and commercial reviews.
- Manage change control: capture early warnings, variations and scope changes, and programme their time and cost impact.
- Keep risk and opportunity registers live and reflected in the programme.
- Produce short, accurate weekly and monthly reports for project teams, leadership and clients, focused on what needs action.
- Record delays and their causes as they happen, with the evidence to back them up.
- Prepare extension of time submissions and time impact analysis under NEC, JCT, FIDIC and bespoke contracts.
- Support the Commercial team on claims and disputes where programme evidence is needed.
- Produce tender programmes, durations and resource histograms that are realistic and competitive, built on real productivity data from our own projects.
- Write the planning and project controls sections of technical submissions and Project Execution Plans.
- Attend client interviews to explain our programme and planning approach.
- Lead, mentor and develop our planners and project controls staff, working alongside them rather than from a distance.
- Manage planning resource, recruitment and succession across the business.
- Work as One Team with Project Managers, Operations, Commercial and Estimating.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
- Degree or HNC/HND in engineering, construction management or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
- Professional membership (APM, CIOB, AACE or PMI) is desirable.
- SSSTS/SMSTS or equivalent health and safety qualification is desirable.
- Proven experience leading planning or project controls within engineering, construction, energy or infrastructure.
- Hands-on, site-based planning experience on electrical, E&I or MEP projects in power, renewables, oil & gas, data centres or similar.
- Experience setting up progress measurement and productivity tracking (earned hours, planned vs actual man-hours).
- Experience managing, developing and mentoring planners across multiple projects at the same time.
- Expert user of Primavera P6
Planning Manager in England employer: AE Partners
Join our team as a CSCS Labourer in Didcot, where we prioritise safety and professional development. We offer comprehensive training opportunities, a supportive work culture, and the chance to be part of impactful projects. With a focus on employee growth and a commitment to providing necessary certifications, we ensure that our workers are well-equipped and valued.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Manager in England
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like AE Partners, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Planning Manager at AE Partners.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Manager in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at AE Partners
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
