Senior Planner in Ipswich

The Civil Works Alliance (CWA) is seeking an accomplished Senior Planner to play a vital role in delivering the Sizewell C project—one of the UK’s most significant clean energy initiatives. Sizewell C will provide 3.2 gigawatts of low‑carbon electricity, powering around 6 million homes for at least 60 years. As part of the CWA, you will be at the forefront of shaping the programmes that underpin this generational project. This Senior Planner position will see you working on approximately 40 distinct civil engineering packages, valued from £80 million up to £800 million, over the next three to four years. You will work closely with delivery and engineering teams to develop robust, efficient programmes that deliver real results, while meeting the highest standards for safety, compliance and sustainability.

In this role, you will:

• Develop, coordinate, and deliver TOC (Target Outturn Cost) programmes that form the pricing foundation for the works delivered by the CWA on Sizewell C.
• Ensure all programme content fully aligns with internal planning procedures and project guidance.
• Drive collaboration, working closely with delivery and engineering teams to build a logical, efficient methodology for each programme.
• Support in compiling and developing the Basis of Schedule document, ensuring it is robust, compatible with the Risk and Opportunity Register, and reflective of all key assumptions.
• Work alongside risk teams to ensure all risks, opportunities and time risk allowances are properly accounted for in both the schedule and accompanying risk analysis.
• Liaise with site operational teams to incorporate practical, real‑world production rates into the programme, developing assumptions from first principles when needed.
• Assist in preparing and presenting TOC programmes and strategy at Settlement meetings, communicating clearly to all project stakeholders.
• Mentor and support junior planners to create a collaborative and high‑performing planning function.
• Deliver robust resource planning, ensuring resource demands are balanced and align with overall project constraints.
• Prepare and integrate TOC programmes and supporting data, ensuring seamless incorporation into the CWA baseline and accurate updates for project KPIs.
• Align all supplier programmes with the TOC programme, ensuring time risk allowances are understood, justified, and properly explained.
• Support the integration of approved TOC programmes into the Current PAA programme, contributing both technically and narratively to explain any variances.
• Make sure environmental and ecological requirements are fully incorporated and any relevant constraints are reflected in your plans.
• Apply your communication skills through multiple channels to ensure that strategies, production rates and methods are always understood by all project partners.

Knowledge & Skills

• Technical Proficiency: Proven experience as a Civil Engineering Planner working on programmes that are under an NEC contract or similar. You must be competent in using P6. Have a good understanding of project/programme controls including programme data alignment.
• Communication: Strong communication skills with a history of effective collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and regulatory authorities.
• Safety Culture: Foster a strong safety culture within the project team and among contractors. This involves promoting a mindset where safety is a top priority, and all workers are encouraged to report safety concerns or incidents promptly.
• Regulatory Compliance: Experience of working with programmes in a regulated environment, nuclear safety and environmental regulations would be preferred.
• Problem‑Solving: Demonstrated ability to effectively address and resolve issues that arise during earthworks projects.

Qualifications & Experience

• A Chartered Engineer or working towards your chartership.
• Currently in the role as a Senior planner or ready to be promoted into the senior planner role.
• 5 to 8 years of planning experience constructing and developing programmes for Civil engineering works.
• Experience of preparing Quality/ Price tenders.
• Experience in planning within a regulated environment.

This is a rare opportunity to work at the heart of the UK’s energy future, in a role where your analytical and communication skills, planning expertise, and commitment to quality can make a lasting difference.