At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead rail project planning, manage programmes, and ensure successful project execution.
- Company: Dynamic rail industry leader focused on innovation and safety.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team with opportunities for mentorship and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the rail industry while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in rail planning and proficiency in Primavera P6 required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Role Overview
The Senior Rail Planner is responsible for developing, managing, and maintaining detailed rail project programmes across all phases of delivery.
The role ensures that planning processes support safe, efficient, and commercially successful project execution while providing accurate reporting, programme analysis, and strategic planning advice to project teams and senior stakeholders.
Working closely with project managers, engineers, commercial teams, and clients, the Senior Rail Planner will lead planning activities, identify programme risks and opportunities, and drive continuous improvement in project controls.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, manage, and maintain integrated project programmes using Primavera P6 and/or Microsoft Project.
- Produce baseline programmes, target programmes, and regular programme updates.
- Monitor project progress against agreed milestones and contractual requirements.
- Analyse programme performance using critical path analysis, earned value techniques, and schedule health checks.
- Identify programme risks, delays, and opportunities, proposing mitigation and recovery strategies.
- Prepare weekly and monthly planning reports, dashboards, and management information.
- Support project teams during tender, pre-construction, delivery, and close-out phases.
- Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to ensure planning reflects current project status.
- Lead planning workshops and programme review meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
- Review subcontractor programmes and assess compliance with project requirements.
- Ensure planning outputs comply with client standards, contractual obligations, and industry best practice.
- Support change management by assessing the programme impact of variations and compensation events.
- Provide planning expertise during client meetings and project reviews.
- Mentor and develop junior planners and planning engineers.
- Promote continuous improvement in planning processes, reporting, and project controls.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Significant planning experience within the UK rail industry.
- Strong knowledge of rail infrastructure projects, including renewals, enhancements, or maintenance programmes.
- Advanced user of Primavera P6.
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Project and Microsoft Office.
- Experience producing critical path analyses and programme recovery plans.
- Excellent understanding of NEC contracts and programme requirements.
- Experience supporting project controls, cost reporting, and change management.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, scopes of work, and project documentation.
- Strong analytical, organisational, and problem‑solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
Desirable Qualifications
- Degree or HNC/HND in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related discipline.
- APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) or equivalent.
- Primavera P6 Professional certification.
- Membership of a relevant professional institution (APM, ICE, CILT, or similar).
- Understanding of Network Rail governance, GRIP/PACE, and possession planning processes.
- Knowledge of rail assurance, project controls, and risk management methodologies.
- Personal Attributes
- Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
- Commercially aware with a proactive approach to problem‑solving.
- Highly organised and detail‑oriented.
- Able to influence and challenge constructively.
- Collaborative and supportive team player.
- Committed to maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and performance.
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Delivery of accurate and timely project programmes.
- Achievement of contractual milestones.
- Programme accuracy and reporting quality.
- Effective management of critical path and programme risks.
- Client satisfaction with planning support.
- Contribution to successful project delivery and commercial performance.
- Development and mentoring of junior planning staff.
- Health, Safety and Compliance
- Promote a positive safety culture at all times.
- Comply with all company policies, rail industry standards, and client requirements.
- Support compliance with Network Rail and relevant railway assurance processes.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across planning and project controls.
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Rail Planner in London
✨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 Assystem GmbH, 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 Senior Rail Planner at Assystem GmbH.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Rail Planner in London
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 Assystem GmbH
✨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!
