Lead Possession Planner

Lead Possession Planner

Sector: Rail / Civil Engineering - Projects & Asset Maintenance
Location: Cumbernauld, Scotland

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Lead Possession Planner to play a key role in delivering a diverse portfolio of capital and asset management projects. In this role, you will take ownership of access planning, lead a dedicated team of planners, and ensure the safe and efficient coordination of all associated documentation.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a dynamic regional team working on high-profile infrastructure programmes across Scotland.

What We Offer

We believe in supporting our people to thrive both professionally and personally. In return, you can expect:

• Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
• Company car or car allowance
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays (increasing with service)
• Option to purchase additional leave
• Company contributory pension scheme
• Life insurance and health cash plan
• Structured development programmes and leadership pathways including women in leadership programmes.
• A culture that encourages inclusion, wellbeing and collaboration
• Opportunities to grow your career with clear progression routes
• Employee forums to ensure every voice is heard

About the Business Unit

You will be joining a fast-paced and collaborative environment delivering multidisciplinary civil engineering projects for a broad range of clients, including Local Authorities, Network Rail, and environmental organisations.

Our work spans a wide variety of infrastructure projects, including:

• Rail infrastructure
• Highways and roads
• Bridges (under, over and footbridges)
• Tunnels
• Flood alleviation and repair works
• Earthworks and embankments
• Rail platforms and station infrastructure

The Role

As Lead Possession Planner, you will lead the Scotland Track Access Team (TAP) and play a central role in ensuring access planning supports project delivery safely and efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the day-to-day activities of the Track Access Planning team
• Collaborate with project, construction, and estimating teams on all access planning matters
• Identify and optimise available possessions to support programme delivery
• Develop and manage master, contract, and detailed possession schedules
• Ensure possession, isolation, and protection requests are submitted in line with Network Rail standards and timescales
• Plan possession and protection arrangements
• Monitor, track, and communicate any changes to possession plans
• Prepare safety-critical documentation in accordance with railway standards
• Represent the organisation at possession meetings or arrange appropriate attendance
• Identify risks and opportunities, contributing to effective project management
• Support entitlement submissions where required
• Embed safety into all planning activities
• Maintain strong working relationships across planning teams and share best practice
• Submit road closure requests where necessary

About You

You will bring proven experience in possession or access planning within a rail environment, along with the confidence to lead a team and collaborate across disciplines.

Essential Requirements

• Experience as an Lead Possession Planner or Access Planner
• Proven team leadership or supervisory experience
• PPS access planning experience
• SSOW Planning qualification (Core Level 2)
• Valid PTS certification
• Competence as a Controller of Site Safety (COSS)
• Strong understanding of the Network Rail Rule Book
• Ability to interpret Sectional Appendices, Hazard Directory, and environmental documentation
• Full UK driving licence

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you are looking for a leadership role where your expertise in access planning will do a real difference to major infrastructure delivery, we would love to hear from you.