At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning activities for bridge inspection and maintenance projects, ensuring smooth operations.
- Company: Join a leading infrastructure team focused on safety and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Diverse workplace that values equality and offers excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical infrastructure while mentoring the next generation of planners.
- Qualifications: Experience with Primavera P6 and NEC4 contracts in engineering or construction.
Location: Bristol
Employment Type: Permanent
The Opportunity
We are delighted to be recruiting for an experienced Senior Planner to join our client's Specialist Bridges Inspection & Maintenance (SBIM) team based at the Severn Bridge Maintenance Unit. This is a pivotal role within a highly specialised and safety-critical infrastructure environment. As Senior Planner, you will act as the primary coordinator for planning activities across multidisciplinary projects, ensuring integrated, robust and auditable programmes that reflect the operational complexities of bridge inspection, maintenance and asset management activities. You will provide expert planning support across the contract, drive programme performance, mentor junior planners and apprentices, and support the continuous improvement of planning systems, reporting processes and governance standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Programme Development & Control
- Develop, maintain and control integrated, resource-loaded Primavera P6 programmes covering inspections, investigations, maintenance works and enabling activities.
- Establish and manage programme baselines, change control procedures, critical path analysis and float management.
- Conduct scenario modelling and what-if analysis to assess delivery options, programme risks and opportunities.
- Align programme schedules with access strategies, resource plans, cost forecasts and risk registers to produce accurate and credible delivery plans.
- Ensure all planning information remains accurate, current, auditable and fully version controlled.
- NEC4 Contract & Commercial Support
- Prepare and submit NEC4-compliant programmes for client acceptance.
- Support Early Warnings and Compensation Events by providing robust programme evidence and impact assessments.
- Undertake forensic-style schedule analysis to support commercial discussions and claims management.
- Provide planning expertise to support contractual compliance and effective project delivery.
- Operational Planning & Coordination
- Plan and manage critical access dependencies, including traffic management, lane closures, bridge closures, possessions, MEWP and specialist platform access.
- Coordinate activities across inspection teams, structures engineers, electrical teams, maintenance teams and operational support services.
- Identify and resolve programme conflicts to optimise access opportunities and maximise productivity.
- Sequence works to minimise disruption to the road network while maintaining operational efficiency.
- Integrate contract activities with wider National Highways programmes and third-party works.
- Stakeholder Management & Leadership
- Chair planning meetings with internal teams, subcontractors and client representatives.
- Drive planning discussions, facilitate decision-making and ensure actions are effectively tracked and delivered.
- Build strong working relationships with stakeholders across all levels of the business.
Candidate Requirements
Essential Experience & Qualifications
- Proven experience developing and managing Primavera P6 programmes within complex infrastructure, engineering or construction environments.
- Strong understanding of NEC4 contracts and programme management requirements.
- Experience supporting Early Warnings, Compensation Events and programme-related commercial processes.
- Experience working within highways maintenance, major structures, bridges, civil engineering or similar infrastructure sectors.
- Strong understanding of programme controls, critical path analysis, resource planning, change control and risk management.
- Excellent organisational skills with a highly structured and detail-oriented approach.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to challenge, influence and lead discussions.
Ardour Associates values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.
Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.
Senior Planner - Highways in Bristol employer: Ardour Associates Ltd
Join our dynamic team in Bristol as a Senior Planner, where you will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of vital infrastructure projects. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that values mentorship and professional development, offering opportunities for growth within a supportive environment. With a focus on innovation and continuous improvement, we provide our employees with the tools and resources needed to excel in their careers while making a meaningful impact on the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Planner - Highways in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the highways and bridges sector. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your Primavera P6 skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with programme management and NEC4 contracts. Show them you’re not just a planner, but a strategic thinker who can tackle complex challenges.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills! When chatting with potential employers, highlight your experience in mentoring junior planners and leading discussions. They’ll want to see that you can drive a team towards success.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us. Let’s get you that Senior Planner role!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planner - Highways in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Planner role. Highlight your experience with Primavera P6 and NEC4 contracts, as these are key for us. Use specific examples that showcase your skills in programme management and stakeholder engagement.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Explain why you're passionate about highways and bridges, and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Don’t forget to mention any relevant projects you've worked on!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've tackled complex planning challenges in the past. We love candidates who can think critically and come up with innovative solutions, especially in safety-critical environments like ours.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ardour Associates Ltd
✨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 develop and manage resource-loaded programmes, and be ready to discuss your past experiences with it during the interview.
✨Understand NEC4 Contracts Thoroughly
Familiarise yourself with NEC4 contracts and their requirements. Be prepared to explain how you've supported Early Warnings and Compensation Events in previous roles, as this will show your understanding of the commercial aspects of planning.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Think of examples where you’ve successfully managed stakeholders or led planning meetings. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve built relationships across different teams, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Modelling Questions
Expect questions about scenario modelling and risk management. Prepare to discuss how you’ve conducted what-if analyses in the past and how you approached programme conflicts to optimise access opportunities.
