Senior Planner in Birmingham

DJV Planner is responsible for the development, maintenance, and technical integrity of the DJV Design, Construction Support and Testing & Commissioning Programs covering the six major metro extension projects at varying degrees of completion.

Operating within an Alliance delivery model (Owner-DJV-Contractor), the Planner integrates multi-discipline design schedules from the Design Joint Venture (DJV) design partners into six single, logic-driven, cost-loaded Alliance Design, Construction Support and Testing & Commissioning Schedules, fully aligned with the Constructor’s and Owner’s Integrated Alliance Program. The role focuses on schedule realism, transparency, and collaborative planning, supporting “best-for-project” outcomes rather than adversarial controls.

Key Responsibilities:

• Alliance Design Program Development: Develop and maintain the Alliance Design Program in accordance with the Alliance Agreement, Target Outturn Cost (TOC), and Key Result Areas (KRAs). Update the fully logic-linked, resource- and cost-loaded design schedule structured around the approved Scope. Define design milestones aligned with Alliance gateways, constructability requirements, procurement lead times, and commissioning needs.
• Multi-Discipline Schedule Integration: Consolidate detailed discipline schedules from JV partners (civil, track, structures, Tram stops/stations, systems, power, signalling, utilities, and interfaces) into a single integrated Alliance Design Schedule per Target Cost. Manage inter-discipline and design–construction interfaces, ensuring schedule logic supports early design activities, Change Approvals, staged approvals, and progressive package release. Validate schedule integrity through critical path analysis, float ownership review, and logic verification.
• Integration with Alliance Integrated Program: Integrate the Alliance Design Schedule into the Integrated Alliance Program, ensuring alignment with construction, testing & commissioning, and third-party interface activities. Maintain schedule consistency across design, Construction procurement, construction, and systems integration workstreams. Support collaborative planning workshops (pull planning, phase planning, last planner–style sessions where applicable).
• Cost Loading & Performance Measurement: Develop and maintain a cost-loaded design schedule consistent with the Alliance Target Outturn Cost, align with Cost Management budgets, and reduce overspends. Support earned value or performance measurement methodologies adopted by the Alliance (e.g., physical progress, weighted milestones). Analyse schedule and cost performance, including critical path movement, productivity trends, and forecast completion metrics.
• Progress Updating & Reporting: Coordinate and validate monthly progress updates from all JV discipline leads, ensuring consistent progress measurement rules are applied. Update schedule logic, durations, and remaining work based on actual performance and collaborative forecasting on a monthly and rolling quarterly forecast reporting cycle. Prepare technically robust schedule reports, including: Critical path and near-critical path analysis (when required), Design package readiness and construction release status, Schedule risk and opportunity assessment.
• Change, Risk & Opportunity Management: Assess schedule and cost impacts of design development, scope changes, and emerging Alliance risks and opportunities. Support time-impact analyses and scenario modelling to inform Alliance leadership decisions. Maintain baseline control of Scope.
• Alliance Behaviours & Ways of Working: Operate in a no-blame, collaborative environment, promoting schedule transparency and shared ownership of outcomes. Act as a trusted technical advisor to Design Managers, Construction Planners, and Alliance Project Controls. Facilitate planning discussions focused on optimisation, buildability, and whole-of-life outcomes.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years planning and scheduling experience on major infrastructure or rail projects.
• Demonstrated experience working within Alliance or collaborative delivery models (preferred).
• Strong understanding of multidisciplinary rail design development, staging, and integration with construction and systems delivery.

Technical Expertise:

• Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6 (including cost loading, multiple calendars, and complex logic).
• Experience developing integrated design–construction schedules for rail infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of: WBS / CBS integration, Critical path and float analysis, Schedule risk management and forecasting techniques.