Planner in Suffolk

Fletcher Chase is recruiting on behalf of a leading main contractor for an experienced Senior Planner to join their Planning and Programming function.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a planning professional with a Construction or Civil Engineering background to take ownership of key bids across Tender, Preconstruction and Construction phases, working closely with internal teams and external clients, consultants and stakeholders.

The Role

As Senior Planner, you will proactively lead the planning function on selected projects, producing well-considered, professional and achievable methodologies and programmes across both pre-construction and construction phases. You'll be the critical link between commercial reality and programme delivery, building schedules that stand up to scrutiny and communicating them clearly to every stakeholder in the process.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaboratively create, maintain, review and administer construction schedules and planning deliverables, including planning philosophy, presentations and reports
• Provide technical input on planning and zoning activities — identifying scope, major constraints, contract requirements, and the quantities and factors that shape the programme
• Establish and maintain the critical path, reviewing and analysing it with the wider project team
• Communicate effectively with key stakeholders across bid, tender, pre-construction and construction phases
• Apply resource allocation and levelling techniques as required
• Present programmes and sequencing at both detailed and high level, as the audience demands
• Understand and implement contractual requirements around programme submission and updates
• Provide periodic programme updates with supporting information to assist wider project reporting
• Liaise with third parties — statutory authorities, utility providers, planning authorities and other design consultants — ensuring their input is reflected in the programme
• At Contract stage, report to the Head of Planning / Project Lead on planning strategy, sequencing, and any issues affecting delivery
• Issue and communicate the Contract Programme for onward distribution to the Client and Project Team, including progress reporting
• Deliver timely, accurate progress reports with clear commercial awareness and a focus on real project value

What We're Looking For

Experience & Knowledge

• Operational background (site engineer/site agent) combined with planning experience on Civils, Groundworks, Structures or Infrastructure projects
• Strong understanding of tender and contract documentation, specifications, and programme/progress monitoring methods
• Working knowledge of risk and opportunity management as it relates to planning and programming
• Familiarity with delay/change entitlement events and how they're evidenced
• Solid grasp of construction methods, plant, equipment and labour planning
• In-depth understanding of planning requirements under JCT and NEC forms of contract

Skills

• Proficient in P6 and Asta Powerproject
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Confident engaging with clients, consultants and internal teams at all levels
• Self-motivated, organised and able to work on own initiative
• Meticulous, proactive and positive, with a genuine willingness to learn

Qualifications

• Relevant construction industry experience
• Recognised construction or technical discipline qualification

Why Apply

This is a chance to take a hands-on, high-impact planning role with genuine influence over how major civil and infrastructure projects are won and delivered from bid stage right through to completion.

Strong compensation package and benefits