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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead project planning teams and ensure excellence in project delivery across various sectors.
- Company: Join JFD, a global leader in underwater capabilities and innovative engineering solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while driving digital transformation.
- Qualifications: Extensive project planning experience and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
About The Role
The Project Planning Manager is responsible for the leadership, governance, and development of JFDâs project planning function. This role ensures consistent application of planning standards, tools, and methodologies across all business lines, supporting project delivery excellence and strategic growth. The position drives schedule integrity, data accuracy, and process optimisation, while mentoring planners and leading digital improvement initiatives to enhance planning maturity across the organisation. This role will improve business results by driving initiatives to meet the requirements of our customers and our strategy.
Principle Accountabilities
- Leadership & Management
- Lead and develop the project planning team, ensuring alignment with company values and objectives.
- Provide direction, mentorship, and technical support to senior, project, and junior planners.
- Oversee resource allocation within the planning team to ensure project needs are met efficiently.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.
- Planning Governance
- Own and maintain planning policies, standards, and templates for consistent application across projects.
- Ensure compliance with JFD and client planning procedures, including baseline control, change management, and reporting standards.
- Establish quality assurance processes for schedule reviews, audits, and reporting accuracy.
- Drive planning maturity and digital transformation in alignment with corporate strategy.
- Project & Portfolio Oversight
- Oversee schedule development, maintenance, and reporting across the project portfolio.
- Review and approve baseline schedules, ensuring alignment with scope, cost, and risk data.
- Provide consolidated portfolio-level reporting and analysis to senior management.
- Support strategic decision-making by identifying schedule trends, risks, and opportunities across projects.
- Bid Support
- Provide governance and strategic oversight for bid-phase planning.
- Review and approve tender schedules, ensuring consistency, realism, and alignment with business capability.
- Support commercial teams in developing competitive bid strategies and programme narratives.
- Continuous Improvement & Digital Transformation
- Lead the standardisation of project planning processes and integration with ERP and business intelligence systems.
- Champion the adoption of digital tools and data-driven planning.
- Identify opportunities to enhance forecasting, reporting, and resource management processes.
- Support cross-functional initiatives related to project controls and business improvement.
Qualifications And Experience
- Extensive experience in project planning and scheduling within complex EPC or engineering environments.
- Proven track record in leading planning teams or managing planning functions across multiple projects.
- Advanced user of Primavera P6, with strong understanding of critical path methodology and earned value management (EVM).
- Deep knowledge of baseline management, re-baselining, and schedule risk assessment.
- Strong leadership, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience integrating planning with ERP systems.
- Exceptional analytical and presentation abilities.
- Experience driving digital transformation or planning process improvements.
- A background in portfolio or programme-level scheduling and reporting.
- Experience in training, mentoring, and developing planning personnel.
- A professional certification from a relevant academic organisation.
You will need to be able to gain UK security clearance to be eligible for this position. This role is to be based in Westhill, Aberdeen; however, some travel will be required as projects dictate, therefore a flexible working approach is needed.
Due to the volume of applications that we receive for our vacancies, on occasion applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.
Project Planning Manager in Westhill employer: James Fisher and Sons plc
Contact Detail:
James Fisher and Sons plc Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice ð€«
We think this is how you could land Project Planning Manager in Westhill
âšTip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
âšTip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching JFD and understanding their projects. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their needs. Confidence is key, so practice makes perfect!
âšTip Number 3
Showcase your skills through real-life examples. When discussing your experience, highlight specific projects where you led planning initiatives or improved processes. This will make you stand out as a candidate.
âšTip Number 4
Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows youâre genuinely interested in being part of the JFD team.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Planning Manager in Westhill
Some tips for your application ð«¡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Project Planning Manager role. Highlight your experience in project planning and scheduling, especially in complex environments. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for JFD. Mention specific projects you've led or contributed to that demonstrate your leadership and planning skills.
Showcase Your Digital Skills: Since we're all about digital transformation, make sure to highlight your experience with tools like Primavera P6 and any other relevant software. We love seeing candidates who are keen on adopting new technologies!
Apply Early!: We receive a lot of applications, so donât wait until the deadline to apply. Get your application in early through our website to avoid disappointment. We canât wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at James Fisher and Sons plc
âšKnow Your Project Planning Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your project planning knowledge, especially around tools like Primavera P6. Be ready to discuss your experience with critical path methodology and earned value management, as these are key for the role.
âšShowcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led and developed planning teams in the past. Highlight your ability to mentor others and foster a collaborative culture, as this aligns with the company's values and objectives.
âšUnderstand the Companyâs Goals
Research JFD and its mission in the underwater capability sector. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can contribute to their strategic growth and project delivery excellence, showing that youâre aligned with their vision.
âšBe Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in project planning and how you overcame them, particularly in complex EPC or engineering environments.
