At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the planning team for large-scale civil engineering projects and manage schedules effectively.
- Company: Join Costain, a leader in infrastructure upgrades with exciting projects worth £670 million.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on vital water infrastructure while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in schedule management and project integration in civil engineering.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Costain has been appointed by Northumbrian Water to the Living Water Enterprise to help shape and deliver its strategic infrastructure upgrade programme with contracts valued up to £670 million over 15 years. We are looking for an experienced Lead Planner to join the Framework team. As a key member of the Delivery Team, the successful applicant will be aligned to the AMP8 projects, demonstrate experience of integrating and managing schedules across large-scale civil engineering programmes, and work across multi-disciplinary programme teams covering design, procurement, construction, and commissioning. The role will also involve developing a strategic overview of the programme, owning cross-project integration, managing schedule changes, and identifying risks and opportunities that might impact programme outcomes. This is a hybrid role with a mix of office (Newcastle), site and home working.
Responsibilities
- Recruit and manage the AMP8 schedule planning team
- Support the planning, development, and maintenance of high-quality schedules against the agreed project scope to deliver the AMP8 programme outcomes
- Support the establishment of robust systems, processes, and procedures to support the AMP8 works across the programme and supply chain
- Report the current programme/project position in line with governance, processes, and procedures, including risk, earned value, change management and cost
- Maintain an overview of the programme to provide critical-path analysis and identify opportunities and risks
Qualifications
- Extensive experience of schedule management on large-scale civil engineering/infrastructure projects, ideally for a tier 1 contractor or client-side
- Significant planning experience in the water industry covering large-scale infrastructure programmes or experience in non-water large-scale programmes
- Extensive experience of multi-project integration
- Project management experience, particularly of complex major infrastructure programmes covering risk, cost, change management, earned value, and reporting
- Expertise in the use of P6 within large-scale projects/programmes and critical-path tracing and analysis
- Scheduling/Reporting experience within NEC contract framework
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to negotiate and influence key stakeholders
- Experience of maintaining performance and contractual baselines, producing critical-path analysis on fully resourced and cost-loaded project plans, monitoring changes, and reporting on early warnings and variations
- Strong leadership skills with experience in leading teams and advising senior colleagues to enable delivery of business goals
Planning Lead employer: Costain
Costain is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Newcastle that fosters collaboration and innovation within the civil engineering sector. With a strong commitment to employee development, we provide ample opportunities for growth and advancement, alongside a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to delivering impactful infrastructure projects that shape the future of water management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Lead
✨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 Planning Lead at Costain.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Lead
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!
