Regional Planning Lead in Dartford

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Principal Planner to take ownership of the regional planning function across a diverse and active South region portfolio. Reporting to the Planning Manager and working closely with Operations Directors and project delivery teams, this is a senior, influential role for a planning professional who combines technical excellence with the leadership capability to develop and elevate a regional team.

The South region delivers a broad range of rail and civil engineering schemes, from multi-disciplinary frameworks and programmes to high-speed fibre cable installation. Project values up to the tens of millions, with multiple concurrent frameworks, reporting lines, and client relationships to manage simultaneously.

As Principal Planner, you will lead a team of planners across the region, championing best practice, driving consistency, and ensuring the production of integrated, well-controlled programmes that support effective design, procurement, and construction delivery. This is a role that requires both strategic oversight and practical engagement. You will be expected to mentor and develop planners at varying stages of their careers, manage multiple stakeholder relationships across different frameworks and clients, and provide clear, authoritative programme guidance.

NEC contract knowledge and Primavera P6 proficiency are central to the role. The successful candidate will be expected to lead on NEC programme administration and raise the standard of project controls practice across the region.

• Total ownership of the regional planning team's development, ensuring professional growth and ability across the team.
• Produce and oversee integrated project programmes covering full delivery lifecycle.
• Maintain oversight of site progress, working with delivery teams to validate updates, identify deviations, and agree corrective actions.
• Generate planning outputs, including earned value reporting, schedule risk analysis, and performance metrics, to support decision-making.
• Provide guidance on programme implications arising from change, risk events, and progress variances.
• Take responsibility for the administration and integrity of the P6 Cloud environment.
• Collaborate with commercial and procurement teams to develop subcontract enquiry schedules and ensure timely procurement.
• Act as the primary planning interface for Operations Directors, framework clients, and wider stakeholders, translating complex programme data into clear, actionable insight.

• Proven experience at Senior Planner or Principal Planner level within rail, civil engineering, or heavy infrastructure.
• Strong Primavera P6 expertise and a thorough understanding of project controls principles.
• Demonstrable NEC contract knowledge, with the ability to lead programme administration across multiple projects.
• Multi-project framework experience, with the ability to manage competing priorities and varied client relationships simultaneously.
• A collaborative and confident leadership style, with experience mentoring and developing planning professionals.
• Practical, site-informed understanding of construction methodology, sequencing, and delivery risk.
• Knowledge of earned value management and schedule risk analysis.
• The ability to communicate complex programme strategies clearly to a wide range of stakeholders.

Rail sector experience is desirable, though candidates with a strong heavy civils or infrastructure background and the requisite technical skills will be considered.

The role is based across the South region, with flexibility to work from the office location nearest to the successful candidate. The team operates primarily through remote collaboration, with in-person meetings held periodically. Some regional travel will be required, including occasional attendance at client and stakeholder meetings.

• Salary of £80,000–£90,000, dependent on experience.
• Company car or car allowance.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
• Company contributory pension scheme and life insurance.
• Performance-related salary reviews.
• Structured development pathways and genuine progression opportunities.

Candidates who meet the above criteria are encouraged to apply or make contact for a confidential discussion. The selection process will comprise an initial Teams-based screening interview, followed by a face-to-face meeting at the regional office most convenient to the candidate.