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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage project schedules for exciting infrastructure projects in Water, Rail, Highways, and Nuclear.
- Company: Join a respected consultancy with a collaborative and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Earn up to £65,000 plus excellent benefits and hybrid working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on major programmes across the UK and Europe.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or Project Management; experience with project planning tools required.
- Other info: Great career development opportunities in a dynamic and innovative environment.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 78000 £ per year.
Location - Manchester / Leeds
Projects - Water, Rail, Highways, and Nuclear
Salary - Up to £65,000 plus an excellent benefits package (Hybrid Working)
The Opportunity
Our client is delivering an ambitious growth strategy across its Projects & Programmes (P&P) sector. This growing function includes project controls, PMO, design integration, and strategic delivery support for major clients across the Energy, Water, Transport, Science, and Industrial cities.
As part of this continued expansion, our client is looking to strengthen its Planning capability and is seeking experienced Planning Engineers / Project Planners to support a diverse and high-profile portfolio of work. Successful candidates will be responsible for managing project schedules across a range of complex infrastructure projects, including Water, Rail, Highways, and Nuclear.
You will have the opportunity to work on major programmes both in the UK and across Europe, collaborating closely with national project controls teams and a wider community of planning professionals. This role offers exposure to best-in-class planning practices, complex multidisciplinary projects, and long-term career development within a highly respected consultancy environment.
Our client fosters an inclusive and collaborative culture, encouraging individuality and innovation. The work undertaken is purposeful and impactful, contributing to meaningful outcomes for clients, communities, and the built environment.
The Role
Successful candidates will support consulting and advisory services for public and private sector clients, with a strong focus on project planning and project controls, alongside broader project management support.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing, maintaining, and updating detailed project schedules using Primavera P6 and MS Project, including Integrated Master Schedules
- Working closely with project managers, engineers, construction teams, and clients to ensure accurate programme data and timely delivery of project objectives
- Establishing and supporting Change Control processes throughout the project lifecycle
- Producing regular progress reports, forecasts, dashboards, and programme narratives, highlighting risks, issues, and mitigation strategies
- Supporting business development activities, including tender preparation, programme input, and delivery strategy development
- Carrying out Earned Value Management (EVM), cost and resource loading, schedule performance analysis, and programme health checks
- Integrating project schedules with risk registers and ensuring compliance with internal standards, client requirements, and industry contracts (e.g. NEC4, JCT, RIBA)
Requirements
Our client is seeking professionals with a strong background in project planning and project controls, ideally within major infrastructure or complex engineering environments.
Key requirements include:
- Degree (BSc or equivalent) in Engineering, Project Management, or a related discipline
- Professional accreditation or working towards chartership is desirable
- Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6, MS Project, Excel, and Microsoft Office applications
- Experience with schedule quality assurance tools such as Acumen Fuse
- Strong understanding of design and/or development processes for major projects
- Experience managing schedules and progress reporting for multidisciplinary technical teams and/or sub-consultants
- Right to work in the UK (UK passport or valid work authorisation required)
If you feel that this is the role for you, please apply with the latest CV.
Planning Engineer in Manchester employer: Cobalt Consulting (UK) Ltd
Contact Detail:
Cobalt Consulting (UK) Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Engineer in Manchester
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out on LinkedIn. The more you engage, the better your chances of landing that Planning Engineer role.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Talk about your experience with Primavera P6 and MS Project, and how you've tackled complex projects. Let them see the value you can bring to their team.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every company is different, so make sure you tailor your conversations to fit their culture and values. Research their projects and mention how your skills align with their needs, especially in areas like project controls and planning.
✨Apply Through Our Website
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 and eager to join our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Engineer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Planning Engineer role. Highlight your experience with project planning, especially in sectors like Water, Rail, and Highways. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to showcase your proficiency in tools like Primavera P6 and MS Project. If you've got experience with Earned Value Management or schedule quality assurance, let us know! We love seeing those skills in action.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about project planning and how you can contribute to our ambitious growth strategy. We appreciate a personal touch that reflects your personality.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cobalt Consulting (UK) Ltd
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you're well-versed in Primavera P6 and MS Project. Brush up on how to develop, maintain, and update project schedules using these tools, as they'll likely come up during the interview. Being able to discuss your experience with these applications will show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Understand the Projects
Familiarise yourself with the types of projects the company is involved in, such as Water, Rail, Highways, and Nuclear. Be prepared to discuss how your previous experience aligns with these sectors and how you can contribute to their ambitious growth strategy.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with project managers, engineers, and clients, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in multidisciplinary teams. Highlight any experiences where you’ve supported change control processes or produced progress reports, as this will demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a team environment.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to project controls, Earned Value Management (EVM), and schedule performance analysis. Brush up on these concepts and think of specific instances where you've applied them in your previous roles. This will not only show your technical knowledge but also your problem-solving skills.
