Assistant Planner

Assistant Planner

Full-Time 54000 - 66000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support project teams in planning, monitoring, and delivering key milestones.
  • Company: Coffey, a leading water infrastructure and civil engineering specialist.
  • Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Join a collaborative team that values innovation and continuous learning.
  • Why this job: Develop your skills in a dynamic environment while contributing to impactful projects.
  • Qualifications: Basic knowledge of planning software and strong communication skills required.

The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.

As an Assistant Planner, you’ll support the development and maintenance of project programmes, assisting the project team in delivering against key milestones and highlighting potential delays or deviations from the programme. Working closely with experienced planners and project teams, you’ll develop your planning and construction knowledge and skills while contributing to programmed updates, progress reporting, and schedule analysis. You’ll be encouraged to learn from senior colleagues, build strong stakeholder relationships and play an active role in supporting successful project delivery.

Key responsibilities

  • Assist in the development, maintenance, and monitoring of project programme and project controls documentation for bids and live projects.
  • Ensure Baseline programmes are in place and accepted by the client to form the basis to capture change and demonstrate cause and effect.
  • Contribute to programme updates, progress reporting, and schedule analysis, identifying potential risks, delay and opportunities.
  • Help ensure project teams understand programme requirements, key milestones, critical activities and project deliverables.
  • Apply the requirements of the Coffey Planning Manual across projects and bid activities.
  • Support planning activities on multidisciplinary projects, working closely with the project teams and senior planners.
  • Develop an understanding of different contract forms and their application to project delivery, risk and tender submissions.
  • Build and maintain effective working relationships with project stakeholders through strong communication and collaboration.
  • Embody Coffey’s values and behaviours while undertaking additional duties as required to support the planning function and wider business.

About You

Essential:

  • Basic working knowledge of industry-standard planning software, preferably P6, although experience with equivalent platforms will also be considered.
  • Sound understanding of the full construction project lifecycle, from project inception and tendering through to completion and handover.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to clearly articulate issues to operations and commercial teams.
  • Strong analytical skills and attention to details, enabling effective interrogation and validation of programmes, schedules and performance reports.
  • Demonstrate commitment to continuous professional development with a proactive approach to learning through self-development, training courses and mentoring.

Desirable:

  • Experience within construction projects across a broad range of sectors, including water, energy, highways etc.
  • Experience contributing to complex, multidisciplinary projects and collaborating with diverse stakeholder groups.
  • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications.

About Us

Coffey is a water infrastructure and civil engineering specialist operating in every major construction sector throughout Ireland and the UK. Passionate about quality and efficiency, this passion drives our belief in delivering projects with the best workforce. The hallmarks of our work are innovative solutions, engineering ingenuity, professional construction management and the highest level of safety and quality. We pride ourselves in nurturing an environment that empowers critical thinking, creative problem-solving, customer focus, efficiency and flexibility. Coffey values are at the heart of everything we do – Do the right thing, Do it better, Do it together.

Assistant Planner employer: Coffey

Coffey is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises safety and innovation in the water infrastructure sector. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, the EICA Design Lead Engineer role provides opportunities for mentorship and collaboration within a multi-disciplinary team, all while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working from our Burntwood office. Join us to be part of a family-owned company that values your expertise and fosters a supportive environment for professional development.

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Contact Details:

Coffey Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Assistant Planner

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 Coffey, 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 Assistant Planner at Coffey.

We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Planner

Project Planning
Construction Knowledge
Programme Development
Schedule Analysis
Progress Reporting
Stakeholder Management
Communication Skills

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 Coffey

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!