At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex project planning for the UK's major rail upgrade programme.
- Company: Join a key player in transforming UK rail infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, potential contract extension, and impactful work.
- Other info: Opportunity to develop your career in a dynamic and essential industry.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of a major railway transformation and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: Strong rail planning experience and excellent stakeholder communication skills.
Are you an experienced Project Planner with a strong background in major UK rail infrastructure programmes?
Contract: 12 months with potential to extend
Rate: £424-£531 (Umbrella)
Location: Leeds
This is an opportunity to join the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), one of the largest railway upgrade programmes in the UK, improving the 76-mile route between York and Manchester via Leeds and Huddersfield.
As Principal Project Planner, you'll take a lead role in planning and scheduling complex rail delivery, integrating multiple schedules and providing clear reporting to project and non-planning stakeholders.
What You'll Be Doing
- Lead and integrate complex project and programme schedules across multiple workstreams.
- Develop delivery strategies, output schedules and project plans through the Network Rail PACE lifecycle.
- Support planning from early-stage development through construction and delivery.
- Review construction staging, constructability and delivery strategies.
- Provide schedule assurance and simplify complex programme information for reporting.
- Work closely with project teams, train/freight operators and wider stakeholders.
- Lead and develop planning teams, supporting the development of less experienced planners.
- Apply industry-standard planning and scheduling software, including schedule data automation.
What You'll Bring
- Strong rail planning and scheduling experience on major construction or engineering projects.
- Experience working with train and freight operator projects.
- Understanding of railway design, delivery and access principles, including Railway Access Box Plans.
- Experience across Network Rail PACE ES1-ES8.
- Proven experience integrating multiple schedules and managing project resources.
- Strong stakeholder communication skills, with the ability to explain planning outputs clearly to non-planners.
- Experience with proprietary planning and scheduling tools and schedule assurance processes.
- Membership of a relevant professional body, or an established CPD pathway towards membership.
- Knowledge of the UK rail industry and Network Rail processes.
Desirable:
- Experience with Signalling, ETCS or Train Fitment projects, and knowledge of the TRU programme
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Principal Project Planner employer: Carrington West
Join a leading rail and civil engineering contractor that values your expertise and offers a supportive work environment. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have the opportunity to be mentored into the CRE C designation while enjoying competitive benefits such as hybrid working, private healthcare, and generous annual leave. Located in Kent or London, this role provides a unique chance to work on impactful projects across the region, making it an excellent choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Project Planner
✨Get Your Foot in the Door
Temporary roles in construction often rely on quick recruitment, so make sure to visit local recruitment agencies that specialise in the construction sector. They usually have a go-to list of companies that need staff urgently, helping us connect with potential employers faster.
✨Leverage Community Connections
Construction is all about connections! Check out local trade events, networking gatherings, or even social media groups focused on your area. Engaging with the community can lead to insider knowledge about temporary job openings that might not be advertised anywhere else.
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Solid Portfolio
Even for temporary gigs, a visual portfolio can really set you apart. Take photos of previous projects you’ve worked on, or if you're fresh in the industry, show examples of your work during training. This can help us demonstrate our hands-on experience to potential employers, like Carrington West.
✨Apply Directly at Construction Sites
Don’t overlook the power of walking directly into construction sites. Many temporary positions are filled on the spot, so it’s worth popping by local sites and having a face-to-face chat. Bring your CV and be ready to impress, as companies like Carrington West appreciate proactive candidates ready to jump in when needed.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Project Planner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Experience:In the construction game, having hands-on experience matters! Be sure to showcase any previous temporary roles or projects you've worked on in your CV. Mention specific skills like safety protocols, tools you're familiar with, or types of construction work you've done – this will help you stand out!
Showcase Certifications and Training:If you've got any relevant certifications or training like a CSCS card or health and safety courses, flaunt them! Include them in your CV and mention them in your cover letter. It shows that you're not just ready to get to work but that you've got the essential safety knowledge, which is super important in the construction industry.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:For a temporary role, flexibility is key! In your cover letter, make sure to clearly state your availability – are you ready to start immediately? Can you work various shifts? Letting Carrington West know how adaptable you are might just get you the edge over other candidates.
Keep it Concise and Clear:When applying for temporary roles in construction, employers often appreciate brevity. Keep your CV and cover letter clear and to the point. Focus on the skills and experiences that align most with what Carrington West is looking for. Avoid unnecessary fluff to make it easier for them to see why you’re the perfect fit!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carrington West
✨Show Off Your Safety Knowledge
In construction, health and safety is non-negotiable. Get comfortable with specific safety regulations like COSHH or Working at Height – you might get asked how you’d handle risk assessments or unsafe conditions. We need to show that we prioritise safety above all else.
✨Be Ready for Hands-On Scenarios
Expect practical questions or even a mini test where you’ll need to demonstrate basic skills. They might set up a scenario and ask how you would approach a specific task. Let’s prepare by brushing up on our trade skills and thinking through past projects we’ve worked on.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary role, they’ll want to know if you can adapt quickly to different teams and situations. Let's think about past experiences where we've had to adjust on the fly. This will show we’re ready to hit the ground running!
✨Highlight Your Previous Experience
Temporary roles often require hitting the ground running, so make sure to have a few stories lined up that showcase your relevant experience in construction. We want to emphasise skills that might not be on our CV—like teamwork and problem-solving when things don't go to plan.
