Construction Planner in Birmingham

Company Description

Today, Assystem is among the top three independent nuclear engineering firms worldwide. With over 60 years of experience in highly regulated sectors, the group supports public and industrial stakeholders in the execution of complex and strategic infrastructure projects, subject to high safety and security requirements. Assystem mobilizes 8,000 experts in 13 countries and intervenes across the entire project lifecycle, in engineering, project management and digital solutions.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Construction Planner to support the successful delivery of a major civil engineering and infrastructure project. Working as part of a multidisciplinary project controls team, you will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and analysing complex project schedules using Primavera P6, ensuring programmes are robust, fully logic-linked, and aligned with project objectives, contractual requirements, and key delivery milestones.

As a Construction Planner, you will provide planning and scheduling expertise throughout the project lifecycle, supporting project teams with programme development, progress monitoring, schedule analysis, forecasting, and performance reporting. You will work collaboratively with engineering, commercial, procurement, project management, and construction teams to ensure informed decision-making and successful project outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Planning & Programme Management
  • Develop, maintain, and manage detailed Primavera P6 construction programmes.
  • Produce and update fully logic-linked schedules covering engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover activities.
  • Develop Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), programme narratives, planning assumptions, and schedule coding structures.
  • Establish and maintain baseline programmes and support programme governance requirements.
  • Integrate subcontractor and supplier programmes into the overall project schedule.
  • Support project teams in developing realistic and achievable construction sequences.
• Progress Monitoring & Reporting
  • Monitor and update project progress against approved baselines.
  • Produce weekly and monthly planning reports, dashboards, and programme narratives.
  • Conduct critical path, float, and variance analysis to identify programme risks and opportunities.
  • Generate look-ahead schedules and short-term planning outputs to support site delivery teams.
  • Provide accurate forecasting and performance reporting to project and senior management teams.
  • Support project reviews by presenting schedule status, key milestones, and recovery strategies.
• Risk, Change & Recovery Planning
  • Identify schedule risks, constraints, and opportunities and support mitigation planning.
  • Assess the programme impact of changes, delays, and emerging project issues.
  • Develop mitigation, recovery, and acceleration programmes where required.
  • Undertake what-if scenario analysis and schedule impact assessments.
  • Support change management processes and maintain programme integrity throughout the project lifecycle.
• Stakeholder Management & Collaboration
  • Work closely with engineering, commercial, procurement, project management, and construction teams.
  • Facilitate planning workshops, progress reviews, and coordination meetings.
  • Engage with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment of project objectives and programme requirements.
  • Provide planning support and expertise to project teams throughout all project phases.
  • Promote collaboration and best practice across planning and project controls functions.
• Project Controls & Continuous Improvement
  • Ensure compliance with project controls procedures, planning standards, and governance requirements.
  • Maintain programme quality, accuracy, and auditability.
  • Support integrated project controls activities including cost, risk, change, and performance management.
  • Contribute to lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Support planning assurance reviews and project audits.

About You

Essential Requirements

• Experience as a Construction Planner, Project Planner, Planning Engineer, or Senior Planner within construction, infrastructure, engineering, or industrial projects.
• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6.
• Strong understanding of planning principles, Critical Path Methodology (CPM), and project controls.
• Experience developing and maintaining complex logic-linked programmes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret and communicate programme data effectively.
• Experience in progress measurement, forecasting, and performance reporting.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience working on large-scale civil engineering, infrastructure, energy, transportation, or industrial projects.
• Knowledge of NEC contract frameworks and programme management requirements.
• Understanding of cost management, risk management, and change control processes.
• Experience with resource-loaded schedules, earned value management, and schedule risk analysis.
• Membership of a relevant professional body such as APM, AACE, CIOB, or ICE.
• Familiarity with Power BI or other project reporting and data visualisation tools.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a team delivering complex and high-profile projects.
• Work within a collaborative and innovative project controls environment.
• Access professional development and career progression opportunities.
• Contribute to projects that have a lasting impact on communities, infrastructure, and industry.
• Join an organisation committed to technical excellence, continuous improvement, and sustainable delivery.

Additional Information

This role is based in Coventry, supporting a major infrastructure project. You will be expected to work on site three days per week, collaborating closely with project delivery teams and key stakeholders. The role also offers the flexibility of home working for two days per week, supporting a balanced hybrid working approach. Your designated Assystem office will be our Birmingham office, where you will be part of a wider project controls and planning community, providing opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional development with colleagues across the business.