At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning for exciting civil engineering projects from start to finish.
- Company: Established civil engineering contractor known for quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, attractive benefits, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to influence project strategies.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing company with diverse projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in planning within construction and strong Excel skills.
Location - Greater Manchester
Salary/Package - £70,000 - £90,000 + Excellent Benefits Package
About the Company
Our client is a well-established civil engineering and groundworks contractor delivering high-quality infrastructure, earthworks, reinforced concrete, highways, drainage, and structural projects across the North West. With a reputation built on technical expertise, reliability, and collaborative working, they provide innovative construction solutions for both public and private sector clients. Operating across a diverse portfolio of complex civil engineering projects, the business continues to grow through repeat business, long-standing client relationships, and a commitment to delivering projects safely, on programme, and to the highest quality standards.
As part of their continued expansion, they are now seeking an experienced Senior Planner to take ownership of the planning function, supporting projects from tender stage through to successful completion.
The Role
- Pre-Construction
- Producing robust first-principle tender programmes and construction methodologies
- Developing logistics strategies for tender submissions
- Producing materials lead-in schedules and information required schedules
- Creating resource-loaded programmes and resource histograms
- Supporting bid submissions and presenting planning proposals during client tender interviews
- Live Projects
- Producing, maintaining, and updating detailed construction programmes in accordance with NEC and JCT contract requirements
- Monitoring project progress against programme and identifying potential risks
- Carrying out regular site visits to validate progress and programme accuracy
- Developing and updating look-ahead programmes
- Integrating site progress into master programmes to ensure accurate reporting
- Mentoring junior operational staff and supporting short-term planning activities
- Commercial & Change Management
- Identifying and assessing the programme impact of variations, delays, and compensation events
- Supporting Extension of Time (EOT) submissions through detailed programme analysis
- Providing forensic planning and delay analysis where required
- Managing programme revisions and maintaining accurate programme baselines
- Working closely with commercial teams to support contractual compliance and commercial performance
The Ideal Candidate
- Proven experience as a Planner or Senior Planner within the construction or civil engineering sector
- Strong experience producing and managing programmes from tender through to project completion
- Advanced knowledge of Asta Powerproject, including logic linking, critical path analysis, and progress reporting
- Excellent Microsoft Excel skills for programme reporting and data analysis
- Previous experience within civil engineering, reinforced concrete, infrastructure, or general contracting
- Strong understanding of NEC and/or JCT forms of contract
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- The ability to work autonomously while managing the planning function independently
- Experience liaising with estimating, commercial, operational, and senior leadership teams
Desirable
- Degree qualified in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Project Management, or a related discipline
- Previous experience supporting tender interviews and pre-construction planning
- Experience producing forensic programme analysis and Extension of Time claims
What's on Offer
- Competitive basic salary of £70,000 - £90,000
- Attractive benefits package
- Opportunity to take ownership of the planning function within a growing contractor
- Exposure to a varied portfolio of civil engineering and infrastructure projects
- Long-term career progression within a well-established business
- Opportunity to work closely with senior leadership and influence project delivery strategy
- Supportive and collaborative working environment
Apply: If you're interested in this opportunity, then please get in touch today with our Commercial Specialist, Mark Harris.
Building Careers UK specialises in Construction and Property recruitment and serves as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers.
We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities. Our recruitment process is designed to ensure equal opportunities for all candidates, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic.
Please Note: Due to high volume of applicants, only those shortlisted will be contacted.
Senior Planner in Oldham employer: Building Careers UK
As a leading civil engineering contractor in Greater Manchester, our client offers an exceptional work environment characterised by a commitment to quality and innovation. Employees benefit from a competitive salary, an attractive benefits package, and the opportunity for long-term career progression while working on diverse and complex projects. The collaborative culture fosters professional growth, allowing team members to take ownership of their roles and influence project delivery strategies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Planner in Oldham
✨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 Building Careers UK, 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 Planner at Building Careers UK.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planner in Oldham
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 Building Careers UK
✨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!
