At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning teams and develop effective strategies for successful project delivery.
- Company: D2, a growing professional services business focused on innovative programme management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, private healthcare, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and continuous improvement in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact on large-scale infrastructure projects.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in project planning, strong leadership, and analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € per year.
D2 are an independent and growing, professional services business. Since formation in 2011, we have developed a comprehensive suite of programme management capabilities. We combine our industry expertise with innovative thinking and digital products to develop close relationships with our clients and deliver our commitments. We are actively engaged on some of the largest infrastructure projects across the UK and Canada, performing to our mission statement: “Working together to develop intelligent programme management solutions, helping to deliver a more sustainable world”.
Overview of Role: The Planning Manager is responsible for leading the planning and scheduling teams across a complex programme or portfolio of projects, ensuring effective planning processes, schedule governance, reporting, and performance analysis are in place to support successful project delivery. The role requires strong leadership capability, analytical thinking, and the ability to interpret complex project information to provide clear insight and direction. The successful candidate will lead a planning team and work closely with project stakeholders to establish, maintain, and improve integrated programme schedules and reporting structures. You will also take ownership of key planning responsibilities and support evolving programme requirements throughout the project lifecycle. This is an entrepreneurial role, in that the ideal candidate will have the opportunity to grow D2's planning capabilities on existing or future commissions.
Responsibilities:
- Develop, implement and maintain an effective planning and scheduling strategy appropriate for programme delivery requirements.
- Lead the planning function across projects and ensure alignment of planning activities and outputs.
- Challenge schedule performance and identify causes of variance against baseline plans.
- Produce and manage programme reporting outputs, dashboards, and planning metrics.
- Monitor and validate planning data inputs, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and compliance with required standards.
- Lead the day-to-day management of the planning team.
- Provide functional leadership, coaching, and development to planning personnel.
- Work collaboratively with programme leadership and stakeholders to support decision-making.
- Maintain schedule integrity and ensure planning information remains robust throughout project delivery.
- Monitor and manage compliance with schedule management procedures and governance requirements.
- Lead schedule reviews and recommend corrective actions where required.
- Analyse schedule trends and provide strategic insight into programme performance.
- Identify planning risks and establish processes to support mitigation activities.
- Ensure all schedules are auditable and maintained in accordance with agreed standards and methodologies.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives across programme controls functions.
Requirements:
- Degree qualified or equivalent demonstrable experience.
- Professional membership with a recognised institution (desirable).
- Minimum 10+ years' experience in project/programme planning roles.
- Significant experience delivering planning services on large-scale engineering, infrastructure, construction, or complex project environments.
- Strong understanding of planning methodologies and programme controls principles.
- Experience managing and developing planning teams.
- Advanced knowledge of planning software and reporting tools.
Technical Skills:
- Expert knowledge of project planning and scheduling principles.
- Strong capability using planning tools such as: Primavera P6, Excel and PowerBI.
- Experience developing integrated schedules and reporting systems.
- Strong analytical and data interpretation capability.
- Understanding of schedule risk and performance analysis techniques.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary (Salary dependant on experience level).
- Pension scheme.
- 25 days holiday + option to buy 4 days.
- Additional 1 day holiday for your birthday.
- Private healthcare and employee assistance programme.
- Group life insurance.
- Medi Cash health insurance providing cashback towards everyday healthcare bills.
- Enhanced family leave, including maternity/ paternity/ adoption.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Financial and technical support for professional memberships.
- Hybrid working.
- Annual staff celebration event.
Core Values: All prospective D2 Global employees should strive to uphold D2 Global’s Core Values: Innovation – We are driven to inspire others with fresh creative ideas based on continuously learning. People – We encourage diversity whilst investing in, and developing, the very best talent. Integrity - Our reputation, passion, and commitment inspire trust and integrity. Community - We are a collaborative community, understanding challenges from every angle, exploring innovative solutions based on our expert knowledge.
Planning Manager employer: D2
D2 is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a Planning Manager, you will lead a talented team on significant infrastructure projects, benefiting from competitive salaries, comprehensive healthcare, and generous holiday allowances. With a strong focus on employee development and a commitment to sustainability, D2 provides a unique opportunity for meaningful career growth in a supportive and forward-thinking culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Planning Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching D2 and their projects. Understand their core values and how they align with your experience. We want to see you shine, so practice articulating how your skills in planning and scheduling can contribute to their mission of delivering sustainable solutions.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! As a Planning Manager, you’ll need to lead teams effectively. Share examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully managed teams or improved planning processes. We love hearing about your entrepreneurial spirit!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who are ready to grow with us and take on exciting challenges in programme management.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Planning Manager role. Highlight your experience in project planning and scheduling, and how it aligns with D2's mission of delivering intelligent programme management solutions.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading a planning team, don’t forget to emphasise your leadership capabilities. Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and improved planning processes in previous roles.
Be Data-Driven:D2 values analytical thinking, so include specific metrics or achievements that demonstrate your ability to interpret complex project information. This will show us that you can provide clear insights and direction.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at D2
✨Know Your Planning Methodologies
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of planning methodologies and programme controls principles. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles, especially in large-scale projects. This will show that you understand the complexities of the role and can bring valuable insights.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Planning Manager, you'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams, provided coaching, and developed talent in previous positions. Highlight any specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role involves performance analysis and reporting, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to drive decisions. Discuss your experience with planning software like Primavera P6, Excel, or PowerBI, and how you've developed integrated schedules and reporting systems in the past.
✨Understand the Company’s Values
Familiarise yourself with D2's core values: Innovation, People, Integrity, and Community. Think about how your personal values align with theirs and be ready to share examples of how you've embodied these values in your work. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture.
