At a Glance
- Tasks: Support planning and resource management to enhance operational efficiency.
- Company: Join BD Group, a leader in community-focused services.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private medical insurance, and 26+ days annual leave.
- Other info: Hybrid working available and opportunities for career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in planning or analytical roles with strong Excel skills.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ per year.
Planning Manager Assistant (Maternity Cover)
BD Group is looking for an organised, analytical, and proactive Planning Manager Assistant to support the effective delivery of planning and resource management activities across our operations.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong planning, reporting, and analytical skills who thrives in a fast-paced environment. Working closely with the Planning Manager and operational teams, you will play a key role in maintaining planning systems, monitoring performance, supporting resource allocation, and providing valuable insights that help drive operational efficiency and service delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Planning Manager in developing, maintaining, and delivering operational and resource plans.
- Monitor performance against agreed schedules and identify potential risks, delays, or capacity issues.
- Prepare, maintain, and distribute planning reports, management information, and performance data.
- Collect, analyse, and maintain operational data to support informed business decision-making.
- Coordinate planning meetings, communications, action logs, and follow-up activities.
- Support resource allocation and workforce planning to ensure operational demands are met effectively.
- Maintain planning databases, spreadsheets, and operational systems, ensuring information remains accurate and up to date.
- Assist with forecasting, workload planning, and capacity management activities.
- Produce regular reports, presentations, and performance updates for management review.
- Work closely with operational teams to ensure planning requirements are understood and delivered.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives and help identify opportunities to enhance planning processes and systems.
- Liaise with internal departments, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders as required.
- Provide administrative and analytical support to the Planning Manager and wider operational teams.
- Assist with the implementation of operational changes and planning solutions that improve business performance.
Qualifications, Skills & Experience
- Experience working within a planning, scheduling, operational support, or analytical role.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
- Experience producing reports, analysing data, and supporting planning processes.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Experience using planning, scheduling, workforce management, or resource allocation systems.
- Knowledge of forecasting and workload planning methodologies.
- Relevant qualifications or experience in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or Project Management.
- Experience supporting operational service delivery within a property, facilities, maintenance, or service environment.
Skills & Abilities
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong data analysis and reporting capabilities.
- Ability to interpret information and provide meaningful insights.
- Proactive and solutions-focused approach to work.
- Effective planning and organisational skills.
- Ability to prioritise competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong decision-making skills supported by data and sound judgement.
- High levels of professionalism and discretion.
- Adaptable, resilient, and able to respond positively to changing business needs.
- Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
- Customer-focused mindset with a commitment to delivering high-quality service.
Working Arrangements
- Working Pattern: Full Time
- Fixed-Term Contract (Maternity Cover)
- Hybrid working available where business needs allow
- Occasional travel may be required across operational sites and stakeholder locations
About Us
BD Group was created by the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham to deliver positive economic, environmental, and social change. We provide a range of high-quality facilities and property services across London and the Southeast, with a strong focus on supporting local communities.
Our mission is to help people live, work, and grow by delivering safe, reliable, and customer-focused services aligned to local needs.
In addition to a competitive salary, our benefits package includes:
Heart Hub rewards, perks & benefits platform
Private Medical Insurance
Group Life Assurance
Pension Scheme
26+ days annual leave
Family-friendly policies supporting work-life balance
Health & wellbeing support, including Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Career development and training opportunities
Free on-site parking at our head office
A supportive and collaborative team environment
Planning Manager Assistant employer: BD Group
BD Group is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values teamwork and professional development. With full-time positions that include benefits such as a company van, fuel card, and health support, employees can thrive in their roles while enjoying opportunities for training and growth within the damp and mould specialist sector in London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Manager Assistant
✨Tap into Consulting Networks
Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like BD Group. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time
As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!
✨Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards
Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at BD Group.
✨Leverage University and Alumni Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at BD Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Manager Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at BD Group and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at BD Group
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like BD Group will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to BD Group.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at BD Group.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at BD Group. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.
