Lead Planner

Your new company A leading Contractor delivering major infrastructure and highways programmes across the UK is seeking an experienced Planning Lead to join their growing team.

Working on complex projects and programmes, you will play a pivotal role in driving planning excellence, ensuring programme visibility, and supporting successful project delivery within a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.

Your new role As Planning Lead, you will take overall responsibility for the planning function across a programme of works, providing strategic leadership and oversight to ensure successful delivery.

Key responsibilities will include: Leading and managing the planning team across complex projects and programmes.

Developing and implementing the planning strategy, standards, tools and processes.

Defining resource requirements, supporting recruitment, and developing planning capability within the team.

Working closely with Project and Programme Managers to ensure business case benefits and outcomes are achieved.

Overseeing integration between planning and project control functions to maintain alignment with financial objectives.

Monitoring programme performance, identifying trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.

Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and supporting strategic engagement activities.

Ensuring programme reporting accurately reflects project status and performance.

Driving the adoption of planning best practice across the organisation.

What you'll need to succeed To be successful in this role, you will have: Significant experience within Project Controls and/or Project Delivery, ideally within a highly regulated environment.

Strong leadership skills with the ability to prioritise workloads, delegate effectively and develop team capability.

Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills with a proactive and innovative approach.

Experience interpreting estimating, scheduling, programming and risk management tools.

The ability to influence stakeholders at all levels and build strong professional networks.

HNC/HND, degree qualification, or equivalent experience within a planning-related discipline.

Desirable experience and qualifications include: Highways sector experience.

Business development, work-winning or client engagement experience.

Experience developing and presenting sales propositions.

Knowledge of Power BI and other reporting tools.

Understanding of relevant Health and Safety legislation.

APM Project Management Qualification.

APMG Managing Successful Programmes (Foundation).

APMG International Project Planning and Control Practitioner or equivalent.

PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP).

What you'll get in return Competitive day rate.

Opportunity to work on high-profile infrastructure and highways programmes.

Long-term contract opportunity with a respected organisation.

Exposure to complex, challenging projects and major stakeholders.

Flexible working arrangements and a collaborative team environment.

The chance to influence planning strategy and drive best practice across significant programmes of work.

What you need to do now If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, and email If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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