Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning for a major water infrastructure project, shaping timelines and stakeholder decisions.
- Company: Join a leading organisation delivering critical infrastructure for Thames Water.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, car allowance, bonus scheme, and hybrid working.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a flagship project with long-term environmental benefits.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in planning major construction projects and strong Primavera P6 skills.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities in a high-performing team.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Overview
Location: Thames Valley / London Hybrid
Base pay range: This range is provided by Alexander Associates Technical Recruitment. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Join the planning team behind one of Thames Water’s most ambitious capital delivery projects.
We are working with a leading organisation delivering a critical, high-value infrastructure programme on behalf of Thames Water. You’ll take ownership of the programme planning strategy, controls and reporting for a single, high-profile project designed to support long-term resilience and environmental outcomes across the Thames Valley.
This is an exciting opportunity for a planning professional to step into a role with real visibility and long-term impact, where your input will shape delivery timelines, risk mitigation and senior stakeholder decisions.
Your Mission
- Develop, maintain and oversee a detailed Primavera P6 programme for a complex, multi-year water infrastructure project, from early contractor involvement through to commissioning
- Work closely with the project director, planners, engineers and commercial teams to align programme outputs with business objectives and contract requirements (NEC3/4)
- Lead all planning and scheduling functions on the project – including baseline creation, schedule risk analysis, earned value reporting, and what-if scenario planning
- Prepare executive dashboards, detailed reports and programme commentary to drive governance reviews with both internal leadership and client-side teams (including Thames Water stakeholders)
- Manage and mentor a small team of planners, while acting as the technical lead for all programme control activities
- Act as the planning conscience on the project – challenging assumptions, flagging risk, and maintaining a transparent and data-driven approach to delivery forecasting
About You
- You bring significant planning experience (ideally 5+ years) in delivering major construction or infrastructure projects – water, utilities, energy, civils, rail or similar
- Strong command of Primavera P6, with the ability to build programmes from first principles and drive data-led decision-making
- You’re fluent in the language of NEC contracts, and understand the importance of planning as a commercial tool as much as a scheduling one
- A confident communicator who can hold your own in project reviews, client updates and board-level reporting
- Previous experience delivering planning for a flagship or complex, single-project programme is highly desirable
- A natural leader – whether you’re mentoring junior planners or influencing senior stakeholders, you take ownership of your area and drive performance
What’s in it for You?
- Join a project of national significance with direct exposure to one of the UK’s largest water projects
- Work with a high-performing and technically strong delivery team committed to excellence
- Car allowance, bonus scheme, and comprehensive benefits package
- Hybrid working (approx. 2–3 days on site or in the project office in Thames Valley area)
- Long-term project pipeline with career progression opportunities into leadership roles or wider capital delivery programmes
Interested?
This is a rare opportunity to play a pivotal role in the successful delivery of a flagship water project. If you\’re a planning professional ready to take on a high-impact role with autonomy, visibility and purpose – we\’d love to hear from you.
Seniority level
- Director
Employment type
- Full-time
Job function
- Construction
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Planning Manager employer: Alexander Associates Technical Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Alexander Associates Technical Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Planning Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and how they align with your experience in planning and infrastructure. This will help you tailor your responses and show them you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills in Primavera P6 and NEC contracts can directly benefit their projects. Highlight your leadership experience and how you’ve successfully managed teams and complex schedules in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and serious about landing that Senior Planning Manager role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planning Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Planning Manager. Highlight your experience with Primavera P6 and any major infrastructure projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific projects where you've taken ownership and made an impact, just like we’re looking for in our planning team.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We value natural leaders who can mentor and influence others. In your application, share examples of how you've led teams or managed stakeholders effectively. This will help us see your potential to drive performance in our projects.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alexander Associates Technical Recruitment
✨Know Your Primavera P6 Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Primavera P6, as it’s a key part of the role. Brush up on how to build programmes from scratch and be ready to discuss your experience with schedule risk analysis and earned value reporting.
✨Understand NEC Contracts
Familiarise yourself with NEC3/4 contracts and be prepared to explain how planning serves as both a scheduling tool and a commercial asset. This will show that you grasp the bigger picture and can align planning with business objectives.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Since you'll be communicating with senior stakeholders, practice articulating complex planning concepts clearly and confidently. Think about examples where you've influenced decisions or led project reviews, as these will demonstrate your leadership skills.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your approach to mentoring junior planners and managing a team. Highlight specific instances where you’ve taken ownership of a project area and driven performance, as this aligns perfectly with what they’re looking for.
