At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning for a major healthcare redevelopment project, ensuring effective strategy and delivery.
- Company: Join a leading organisation transforming healthcare infrastructure in Greater Manchester.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £125k, bonus, and excellent benefits package.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence delivery methodology and contribute to a landmark healthcare investment.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on one of the UK's most significant healthcare projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in complex construction planning and strong stakeholder management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 125000 - 125000 £ per year.
Location: Crumpsall, Manchester (Hybrid / Site-Based Requirements)
Project: £1-1.5bn NHS New Hospital Programme
Salary: Up to £125k plus bonus and an excellent package
The Opportunity
We are currently working with a leading organisation delivering one of the UK's most significant healthcare infrastructure programmes: The redevelopment of North Manchester General Hospital. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced planning professional to take a senior role within a nationally important capital programme that will transform healthcare delivery across Greater Manchester.
The redevelopment forms part of the Government's New Hospital Programme, representing a major investment of £1-1.5bn into modern, sustainable and resilient healthcare infrastructure. This once-in-a-generation transformation will deliver a new hospital campus designed to improve patient care, enhance operational efficiency and provide a modern healthcare environment for future generations.
The programme is being delivered in partnership with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, the largest NHS Trust in Greater Manchester, alongside leading construction partners, consultants and specialist supply chain organisations. Significant progress has already been achieved, including enabling works and the successful completion of the £106m all-electric North View mental health inpatient facility. The wider hospital redevelopment is now moving towards the next critical stages, with major construction activity planned from 2028 onwards.
This represents a pivotal opportunity for an experienced planner to join at a key stage and help shape the delivery strategy, programme controls and long-term success of this landmark healthcare project.
The Role
As Lead Planning Manager, you will take ownership of planning strategy, programme development and schedule leadership for a defined sector of this complex, multi-phase hospital redevelopment. You will play a central role in ensuring that programme controls, construction sequencing, logistics planning and delivery strategies are fully integrated with design development, procurement requirements, stakeholder expectations and the challenges of working within a live healthcare environment.
This is a senior leadership position requiring a combination of technical planning expertise, strategic thinking and strong stakeholder management skills. You will work closely with senior leadership teams, NHS representatives, contractors, consultants and wider project stakeholders to drive programme certainty and successful delivery.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence delivery methodology, improve planning processes and contribute to the successful completion of one of the UK's most significant healthcare infrastructure investments.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the planning function for a major sector of the North Manchester General Hospital redevelopment programme
- Develop, manage and maintain integrated master programmes covering design, procurement, construction and delivery phases
- Establish and implement effective planning strategies, controls and governance processes across the programme
- Develop complex phasing and sequencing strategies to support delivery within a live operational healthcare environment
- Work collaboratively with clinical, estates and operational stakeholders to ensure construction activity aligns with healthcare requirements
- Provide senior planning leadership across multidisciplinary teams including contractors, consultants, designers and NHS representatives
- Monitor programme performance, progress, critical path activities, risks and key milestones
- Identify potential delays and constraints, implementing effective mitigation and recovery strategies where required
- Produce high-quality programme reporting and insight for senior governance boards and programme leadership teams
- Support risk management, change control and commercial processes through accurate programme intelligence and analysis
- Ensure compliance with New Hospital Programme standards, reporting requirements and governance frameworks
- Support the implementation of digital planning approaches including 4D planning and BIM integration where applicable
About You
We are seeking an experienced planning professional with a strong background in delivering complex construction programmes. You will have the ability to operate at a senior level, influence key stakeholders and provide strategic planning leadership within a challenging project environment.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Significant experience working within construction planning on major infrastructure, healthcare or similarly complex programmes
- Proven experience managing and delivering large-scale, multi-phase projects (£100m+ preferred)
- Strong understanding of NEC contract environments and public sector project governance
- Experience working within live operational environments such as healthcare, transport, defence or other highly constrained sectors
- Strong technical knowledge of planning methodologies and programme management principles
- Experience using planning software such as Primavera P6, Asta Powerproject or equivalent
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence senior teams
- Ability to analyse complex programme information and translate it into clear, actionable recommendations
- Experience working with NHS clients, healthcare estates or major public sector organisations would be highly advantageous
This is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious Senior Planner or Planning Manager looking to take ownership of a career-defining programme and make a lasting impact on one of the UK's most important infrastructure projects.
Lead Planning Manager in Manchester employer: Cobalt Consulting (UK) Ltd
As a leading organisation in the healthcare sector, we offer an exceptional work environment that prioritises employee growth and development while contributing to a transformative capital programme. Our hybrid working model in Crumpsall, Manchester, allows for flexibility, and our commitment to modernising healthcare infrastructure ensures that you will be part of a meaningful project that impacts the community. With competitive salaries, bonuses, and a collaborative culture, we empower our employees to excel in their roles and make a significant difference in the lives of others.
Contact Details:
Cobalt Consulting (UK) Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Planning Manager in Manchester
✨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
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✨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 Lead Planning Manager at Cobalt Consulting (UK) Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Planning Manager in Manchester
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 Cobalt Consulting (UK) Ltd
✨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!
