Project Planner

James Lewis has been appointed by a multi-dimensional, MEP-led Principal Contractor to recruit a Construction Project Planner to support delivery of a major data centre scheme in Harlow. They operate across data centres, education, commercial, healthcare and science & technology projects in and around London and the Southeast, providing end-to-end services from design through construction, fit-out and maintenance.

You will play a pivotal role in planning and monitoring their third data centre on this established campus, working closely with project managers, site teams and stakeholders to build, maintain and interrogate detailed programmes. Your planning insight will help ensure the project is delivered on time, within scope and in line with quality and technical standards.

What you are delivering:

• Robust, fully logic-linked construction and MEP programmes for a live data centre project.
• Clear timelines, milestones and resource plans aligned with contract requirements and site realities.
• Early identification of risks, delays and clashes – with practical recovery and mitigation strategies.
• Accurate, timely progress updates and reports for senior management, client and key stakeholders.
• Seamless integration of design, procurement and construction activities through proactive planning.
• Reliable forecasts on dates, costs and deliverables to support decision-making and commercial control.

What you will run day to day:

• Programme production: create, develop and maintain detailed project schedules using Asta Powerproject and Primavera P6.
• Planning workshops: work with project managers, construction leads and MEP teams to define key milestones, sequencing and resourcing.
• Progress tracking: update programmes with actuals, measure performance against baseline and highlight variances.
• Risk and delay analysis: identify critical path impacts, slippage and constraints; propose resequencing and recovery options.
• Reporting: prepare short-interval look-aheads, progress reports and “what-if” scenarios for internal and client reviews.
• Coordination: liaise with design, procurement and construction to ensure information release, material deliveries and installation activities align to programme.
• Forecasting: analyse and forecast dates, productivity and deliverables to optimise efficiency and support commercial/claims narratives where required.

What you need knowledge in:

• Construction planning on large, complex building projects – ideally critical infrastructure or MEP-heavy schemes.
• MEP services sequencing and interfaces (plant, containment, distribution, testing and commissioning) within a main contracting environment.
• Planning methodologies: critical path analysis, resource/loading, progress measurement and earned value basics.
• Use of Asta Powerproject and Primavera P6 as core planning tools (build, maintain and report from both).
• How design, procurement and construction workstreams interact on fast-track, technically driven projects.

What you need experience in:

• Proven experience as a Construction Project Planner on large-scale construction projects.
• (Please note: careers spent predominantly in residential, rail, power/utilities or civils-only environments will not be suitable.)
• Demonstrable planning input on projects with significant MEP content – data centres, healthcare, labs, commercial or similar.
• Hands-on proficiency in both Asta Powerproject and Primavera P6 (essential).
• Strong communication skills with the ability to challenge, support and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach to anticipating issues and developing practical mitigation plans.
• Degree in construction management, engineering or similar is preferred but not essential where experience is strong.

Permanent hires receive the full benefits package including £6k car allowance, 10% bonus, travel expenses, enhanced pension, hybrid working and PMI.

Interested? Send your CV and we’ll run you through the project and progression opportunities in detail.