Construction Planner - Principal Consultant

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact: Shape the future of major infrastructure projects. At Jacobs, Project Management isn’t just about delivering projects—it’s about creating solutions that transform communities and improve lives. Our Project Management teams sit at the heart of some of the most ambitious infrastructure programs in the UK and globally. From sustainable water systems to cutting-edge energy projects and major transportation networks, we’re driving innovation and setting new standards for excellence.

We're looking for a Construction Planner to join our growing Project Controls team in Manchester. This is an exciting opportunity to work across a diverse portfolio of major infrastructure and construction programmes, supporting clients from project initiation through to delivery.

As a Construction Planner, you'll play a key role in developing, managing and analysing project schedules, helping project teams make informed decisions and ensuring successful delivery against key milestones. You'll collaborate with project managers, engineers, contractors and clients, providing planning expertise that drives project performance and adds real value.

What you'll be doing:

• Develop, maintain and manage project and programme schedules using Primavera P6 or equivalent planning software.
• Establish programme baselines and monitor progress against planned milestones and deliverables.
• Support project teams through all phases of delivery, including design, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover.
• Analyse schedule performance, identify trends and provide recommendations to support project success.
• Conduct critical path analysis, progress assessments, delay analysis and what-if scenario modelling.
• Identify programme risks and opportunities, supporting the development of mitigation, recovery and acceleration strategies.
• Produce programme updates, look-ahead schedules, forecasting information, performance reports and planning dashboards.
• Participate in collaborative planning sessions, programme reviews and stakeholder workshops.
• Review contractor and supplier programmes and support the assessment of change impacts, compensation events and programme-related claims.
• Communicate programme status, key milestones, risks and recovery actions clearly to project teams and clients.
• Ensure programmes comply with project governance requirements, planning standards and quality expectations.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, helping to develop planning processes, tools and best practices across the business.

You'll be part of a supportive and collaborative Project Controls community working on some of the UK's most challenging and rewarding programmes. We offer opportunities to develop your career, work with industry-leading clients and contribute to projects that make a lasting impact on communities across the country.

If you're passionate about planning, enjoy solving complex challenges and want to be part of a team delivering major projects, we'd love to hear from you.

Here's what you'll need:

• Proven solid experience in project planning, scheduling or project controls within construction, infrastructure or engineering environments.
• Degree-qualified in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related discipline, with relevant professional accreditation being advantageous.
• Strong proficiency in Primavera P6 or similar planning software.
• Experience of working within a collaborative Framework/Alliance environment.
• Knowledge of Project Controls including Earned Value Management and Schedule Risk Analysis.
• Experience developing and maintaining detailed project programmes and reporting on programme performance.

At Jacobs, you'll find more than just a job. You'll discover:

• A global network of expertise and opportunity.
• A culture founded on safety, integrity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Flexible working arrangements that support your well-being and potential.
• Opportunities to make a real-world impact through our global giving and volunteering programs.
• Up to 10% pension.
• 24 days (+10 days bought) holidays.
• Free medical and income protection insurance and many more!

Ready for a change? Apply Below Now to Start Your Journey with Jacobs!

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit to view and access our roles.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.