Planning Lead

Planning Lead

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
CCR Recruitment

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead planning for a major data centre project, ensuring successful delivery and management.
  • Company: Join a leading main contractor in the fast-growing data centre sector.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, benefits package, and long-term career progression.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Be part of a landmark project with cutting-edge construction solutions.
  • Qualifications: Experience in planning large-scale projects and strong stakeholder management skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

A leading main contractor is seeking an experienced Planning Lead to join a flagship hyperscale data centre project in London. This is a high-profile, technically complex scheme delivering mission critical infrastructure to the highest standards of quality, safety, and programme certainty. The successful candidate will lead all planning and programme management activities across the project lifecycle, working closely with project directors, commercial teams, consultants, subcontractors, and client stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery. This is an excellent opportunity for a senior planner looking to take ownership of a major scheme within a fast-growing sector.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the development, management, and maintenance of the master construction programme.
  • Manage short-term and long-term planning activities across all project phases.
  • Coordinate planning inputs from design, procurement, commercial, and construction teams.
  • Produce detailed progress reports, programme updates, and critical path analysis.
  • Identify programme risks, delays, and mitigation strategies.
  • Chair planning and progress meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Review subcontractor programmes and ensure alignment with overall project milestones.
  • Support project controls, earned value reporting, and change management processes.
  • Provide strategic planning support to senior leadership and client teams.
  • Ensure all programmes are compliant with contractual obligations and project requirements.

Requirements

  • Proven experience in a Planning Lead or Senior Planner role with a Tier 1 or large main contractor.
  • Strong background delivering large-scale construction projects, ideally within:
  • Data centres
  • Mission critical facilities
  • MEP-intensive projects
  • Pharmaceutical or industrial projects
  • Expert knowledge of Primavera P6.
  • Strong understanding of construction sequencing, logistics, commissioning, and project controls.
  • Experience managing programmes on projects valued £100m+.
  • Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
  • Degree qualified in Construction Management, Engineering, or related discipline preferred.
  • Desirable Experience

    • Previous hyperscale data centre experience.
    • NEC and/or JCT contract knowledge.
    • Experience working in live or mission critical environments.
    • Familiarity with BIM-integrated planning and 4D sequencing.

    What’s on Offer

    • Opportunity to work on one of the region’s most significant data centre developments.
    • Long-term career progression within a growing mission critical division.
    • Competitive salary and benefits package.
    • Collaborative, high-performing project environment.
    • Exposure to cutting-edge construction and engineering solutions.

    If you are an experienced construction planner seeking a leadership role on a landmark data centre project in London, we would like to hear from you. To apply, please submit your CV and project experience for confidential consideration.

    Planning Lead employer: CCR Recruitment

    Join a leading main contractor in London, where you will be at the forefront of a flagship hyperscale data centre project. Our collaborative and high-performing work culture fosters innovation and offers long-term career progression opportunities within a fast-growing sector. With a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, and exposure to cutting-edge construction solutions, this role is perfect for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
    CCR Recruitment

    Contact Detail:

    CCR Recruitment Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Planning Lead

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend events, and join relevant online groups. The more people you know in the data centre sector, the better your chances of landing that Planning Lead role.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their mission-critical approach and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. We want you to shine!

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Showcase your expertise in Primavera P6 and project controls during discussions. Bring examples of how you've managed large-scale projects and tackled challenges. This will set you apart from other candidates.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

    We think you need these skills to ace Planning Lead

    Planning and Programme Management
    Master Construction Programme Development
    Short-term and Long-term Planning
    Coordination of Planning Inputs
    Progress Reporting
    Critical Path Analysis
    Risk Identification and Mitigation
    Stakeholder Management
    Subcontractor Programme Review
    Project Controls
    Earned Value Reporting
    Change Management
    Primavera P6
    Construction Sequencing
    Logistics Management

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Planning Lead role. Highlight your experience with large-scale construction projects, especially in data centres or mission-critical facilities. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!

    Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; showcase your skills in project management and stakeholder communication. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you've successfully led planning activities and managed complex programmes.

    Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and get straight to the point about your relevant experience and achievements.

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity on our flagship project!

    How to prepare for a job interview at CCR Recruitment

    ✨Know Your Project Inside Out

    Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of the major data centre project. Understand its scope, challenges, and the technologies involved. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.

    ✨Showcase Your Planning Expertise

    Be ready to discuss your experience with Primavera P6 and how you've successfully managed large-scale projects. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to lead planning activities and coordinate with various teams, as this is crucial for the role.

    ✨Prepare for Stakeholder Scenarios

    Think about past experiences where you had to manage stakeholders effectively. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you’ve chaired meetings, resolved conflicts, or aligned subcontractor programmes with project milestones. This will demonstrate your strong communication skills.

    ✨Understand Risk Management

    Since identifying programme risks and mitigation strategies is key in this role, brush up on your knowledge of risk management. Be ready to discuss how you've handled delays in previous projects and what strategies you implemented to keep things on track.

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