Project Planning Manager

The individual in this role will be the Business Unit Subject Matter Expert (SME) of a planning/scheduling process or discipline, discharging the role of the functional expert. They will govern all aspects of process implementation across the discipline and coach other users across a range of levels to perform within the standards of their area of expertise.

They will have an expert knowledge in most areas of planning/scheduling practice and be expected to be able to adapt and apply these practices in different circumstances, to develop these practices and to guide and instruct others in their application.

Typical duties include (but are not limited to):

• Responsible for ensuring the Health & Safety of all employees, and that your area operates in accordance with Company Health and Safety Policies and Procedures.
• Will be an expert in advanced project reporting & scheduling.
• Able to undertake advanced problem solving typically based on previous experience.
• Have an expert knowledge of Business process and procedures.
• Will have an expert knowledge of Planning/Scheduling Toolsets.
• Able to lead the Planning/Scheduling processes on behalf of the Business Unit, delivering best practice from across the enterprise.
• Able to manage the Planning/Scheduling processes on a full project lifecycle to ensure that, over time, the needs of customers/users continue to be met and that financial and other benefits are achieved.
• Will be the go-to stakeholder for all matters relating to the discipline, coaching other stakeholders across a range of grades.
• Identify, assess and manage risks to the success of the project applying expert knowledge and experience.
• Applies appropriate Planning/Scheduling methods and tools whether predictive (plan-driven) approaches or adaptive (iterative/agile) approaches.
• Agrees Planning/Scheduling approach with stakeholders, and prepares realistic plans (including quality, risk and communications plans) and tracks activities against the project schedule, managing stakeholder involvement as appropriate.

Responsibility for:

• As appropriate for the role in the Business.
• Will have budget responsibility for own team.

Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications

Knowledge:

• Expert knowledge and understanding of Planning/Scheduling policies, processes, procedures and systems.
• Expert Planning/Scheduling experience demonstrated in a professional capacity and the specialist skills to ensure procedures are followed with the ability to define the standards which others will operate.
• Guides others in application of Planning/Scheduling processes.
• Expert knowledge and understanding of their discipline and influence on the project.
• Expert understanding of their specialism and comprehensive understanding of one or more Planning/Scheduling tools techniques and practices.
• Expert knowledge and understanding of the Business environment for their project.
• Leads the way in implementing changes that will positively influence project performance from a process and/or toolset perspective.
• Knowledge and experience of PM governance and assurance processes such as Integrated Baseline Reviews (IBRs).
• Experience of influencing stakeholders both inside and outside the company to advance self-knowledge and the knowledge of others.

Skills:

• Skilled user of modern planning/scheduling systems (e.g. Primavera P6, MSP).
• Problem solving most likely to apply in an existing Business environment and also in a new Business environment.
• Good understanding of the structure, organisation, processes and culture of Line of Business, so as to be able to support implementation of appropriate PM&C approaches.
• Applies problem solving techniques to situations of moderate complexity in the field of PM&C, taking requirements and data from internal (project) sources and external (customer, competitor and academic) areas.
• An ability to gather information. Supports development of solutions and of implementation approaches.
• Ability to capture, adopt and share good practice.