At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning and project controls for diverse civil engineering projects across Scotland.
- Company: Join a leading tier one civil engineering contractor with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment focused on innovation and digital transformation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the civil engineering sector while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in civil engineering with strong planning and project controls experience.
Boyd Recruitment are currently recruiting for a large tier one civil engineering contractor in the central belt of Scotland. They are looking to add a planning manager to their expanding pre-construction team.
The company is based just outside of Glasgow and covers all facets of civil engineering including power generation and transmission, road & bridge works as well as water and utilities. The company undertakes works across Scotland including some remote areas, with the same attention to detail applied to every contract from the smallest to largest, through the personal involvement of senior members of staff, dedicated to providing a high quality of service to its customers. The experienced in-house site construction teams are supported by a core of specialist office-based staff undertaking project development, design coordination, temporary works design, planning & programming and risk management.
The Planning Manager is responsible for leading and developing planning and project controls capability across all sectors including Water, Energy, Marine, Defence and Infrastructure. The role will establish planning as a strategic business function that supports bid success, project delivery excellence, portfolio management and informed business decision-making. Beyond producing programmes, the Planning Manager will develop the company's future planning capability through the implementation of modern planning systems, digital reporting, resource forecasting, project controls and data-driven performance management. The role will provide leadership to planners across the business and act as the recognised subject matter expert for programme management. The position directly supports the company's ambition to strengthen management information, implement integrated digital dashboards and improve project controls as part of its long-term growth strategy.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Leadership: Lead the planning function across all operational sectors. Develop and maintain company planning standards, procedures and best practices. Ensure consistent programme development, updating and reporting across all projects. Act as programme assurance lead for major bids and contracts. Manage the planning team including Senior Planners, Planners and Assistant Planners. Support recruitment, mentoring and professional development of planning personnel.
- Pre Construction and Tender Planning: Lead programme development for strategic tenders and framework submissions. Develop construction methodologies, phasing, logistics and resource plans. Challenge delivery assumptions and identify programme opportunities and risks. Support estimating and commercial teams with programme-related cost inputs. Present programme strategy to clients during interviews and tender negotiations.
- Project Controls and Delivery: Implement integrated project controls across programme, resource, cost and risk management. Establish programme baselines and governance requirements. Monitor project performance against critical milestones. Identify delays, constraints and recovery opportunities. Provide independent programme assurance reviews for major projects. Lead contract programme management, eg NEC3/NEC4, ensuring programmes are contractually compliant, regularly updated and suitable for managing change and compensation events. Establish consistent planned-versus-actual reporting of progress, outputs and productivity, identifying variance and supporting corrective and recovery actions.
- Resource and Portfolio Planning: Develop company-wide resource forecasting capability. Maintain medium and long-term workload and resource plans. Identify future skills and capacity requirements. Support strategic decision-making regarding sector growth, recruitment and investment. Produce portfolio-level dashboards and forward workload reporting.
- Digital Planning Development: Champion digital transformation of planning processes. Assist development of integrated reporting using Power BI, Microsoft 365 and project controls platforms. Establish automated reporting and performance metrics. Drive adoption of 4D planning, visual construction sequencing and BIM integration. Promote data-driven decision making throughout project delivery. Develop performance dashboards integrating programme, resource, output and productivity data to improve forecasting and decision-making.
- Governance and Assurance: Establish planning KPIs and performance standards. Conduct programme health checks and assurance reviews. Support Board reporting and executive performance reporting. Ensure planning compliance with client and contract requirements. Develop lessons learned and continuous improvement processes.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Skills Essential: Extensive experience, 10 years min, in civil engineering, infrastructure or utility sectors. Proven experience as a Planning Manager, Senior Planner or Project Controls Manager. Advanced Primavera P6 expertise. Strong NEC3 and NEC4 programme management knowledge. Strong understanding of NEC programme requirements and their impact on contractual and commercial position. Experience developing resource-loaded and cost-loaded programmes. Strong understanding of project controls principles. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
Skills Desirable: Leadership and team development experience. Experience in Scottish Water, Energy, Marine or Defence sectors. Power BI dashboard development experience. BIM and 4D planning experience. Earned Value Management knowledge. Experience implementing planning systems and standards. Understanding of AI and digital project controls technologies.
Qualifications Essential: Degree or equivalent qualification in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or related discipline.
Qualifications Desirable: AMP, MSP or PRINCE2 Practitioner. Primavera P6 Professional certification. Chartered status or working towards Chartered status.
Planning Maager in Barrhead employer: Boyd Recruitment
Boyd Recruitment is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where experienced professionals can thrive in the construction industry. With a strong focus on employee development and a culture that values teamwork and safety, you will have the opportunity to manage significant projects across Scotland while enjoying travel and accommodation benefits. Join us to be part of a company that prioritises your growth and well-being in a rewarding role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Maager in Barrhead
✨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 Boyd Recruitment, 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 Planning Maager at Boyd Recruitment.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Maager in Barrhead
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 Boyd Recruitment
✨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!
