At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Planning team and manage project schedules effectively.
- Company: Join Costain, a leader in smart infrastructure solutions across the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities in regulated sectors.
- Why this job: Shape the future of infrastructure while working with innovative technologies.
- Qualifications: Experience in project planning and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
As a Senior Planner, you are required to be commercially focused, confident in running your own project as well as working effectively within a team. Candidates with a track record of Planning at pre and post contract; working on contracts through the development cycle to the delivery through the construction phase would be preferred. You will provide analysis and accurate forecasting of all project deliverables relating to the contract, in liaison with the other members of the project team in production of the schedules.
Responsibilities
- Lead the Planning team under the direction of the Project Controls Manager and develop and maintain a good working relationship with Client and work colleagues.
- Control, monitor, analyse and report schedule related aspects for designated projects within a Portfolio and liaise with the Commercial Team and the Project Controls Team to assist in the production of key project schedule metrics.
- Ensure all changes to the baseline on a project are understood and managed in an appropriate way.
- Continually monitor Project Risk and Change status to maintain current schedule forecast.
- Liaise with Project team members and contractors with regards to progress and forecasting and provide 'what-if' analysis on schedules as and when required.
- Monitor, control and analyse the project schedule information, identify variances, and bring these to the attention of the Project Manager with possible alternatives.
- Prepare specific reports to facilitate challenge and analysis to meet the project's specific needs.
- Challenge schedule variances against the baseline plan with individual task leaders/contractors and/or outside stakeholder management as necessary to enable mitigation.
- To cover your absence from site during holiday periods, you are to hand over your duties to a delegate agreed with your manager.
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
- Essential
- Primavera (P6) trained and experienced
- Understand the inter-relationship between time cost and commercial aspects of the project life cycle.
- Experience across whole project and programme lifecycle (e.g., Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation/Commissioning & handover processes).
- Experience of developing, implementing and maintaining a project planning procedure and extensive experience in producing project schedule reports.
- A creative and innovative approach to problem solving and extensive experience of collation information, preparing reports, processing supplier schedules, application of company procedures and policies.
- Strong analytical skills
- Confidence and ability to assert influence
- Proficient in the interpretation of Earned Value Analysis.
- Excellent MS Office skills and well versed in the preparation of reports and information using packages such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Desirable
- Relevant experience in Project Controls and/or Project Delivery, preferably in a highly regulated environment
- The confidence to manage teams and communicate at all levels, driving commitments and improvements to meet commercial and technical objectives and deadlines.
- Experienced in the use of Finance and Project software.
- Working knowledge of reporting tools including Power Bi.
- Working knowledge of relevant Health and Safety legislation.
Qualifications
- Essential
- Degree / Suitable Experience
- Experience in the Construction Industry.
- Demonstrable financial and commercial acumen
- Practical approach, logical thought process and methodical way of working
- Desirable
- Highly Regulated Work Environments
- Membership of a professional institution e.g. CEng, APM etc.
- Previous Aviation Experience
About Us
Costain helps to improve people's lives with integrated, leading edge, smart infrastructure solutions across the UK's energy, water, transportation and defence markets. We help our clients improve their business performance by increasing capacity, improving customer service, safeguarding security, enhancing resilience, decarbonising and delivering increased efficiency. Our vision is to be the UK's leading smart infrastructure solutions company. We will achieve this by focusing on blue chip clients whose major spending plans are underpinned by strategic national needs, regulatory commitments, legislation or essential performance requirements. We offer our clients leading edge solutions that are digitally optimised through the following five services which cover the whole lifecycle of their assets: future-shaping strategic consultancy; consultancy and advisory; digital technology solutions; asset optimisation and complex programme delivery.
Our culture and values underpin everything we do. Costain appreciate the time and effort taken when applying for one of our positions but, due to the high volume of responses, we are unable to provide individual feedback on candidates at application phase. We do share individual feedback following an interview. A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that disclose they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer.
Senior Planner - in Bury employer: Costain
Costain is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee growth and development within the vibrant environment of London Heathrow. As a leader in smart infrastructure solutions, we provide our team with unique opportunities to engage in transformative projects that contribute to a sustainable future, while fostering strong relationships across diverse stakeholders. Our commitment to safety, inclusivity, and professional advancement makes us an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Planner - in Bury
✨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 Costain, 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 Senior Planner - at Costain.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planner - in Bury
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 Costain
✨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!
