At a Glance
- Tasks: Bridge traditional construction and advanced manufacturing through innovative project planning.
- Company: Join Laing O'Rourke, a leader in modern construction and off-site manufacturing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, professional development, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Why this job: Gain unique lifecycle exposure and influence how the UK builds for the future.
- Qualifications: Construction planning background with strong software skills; curiosity and coordination are key.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to mentor and grow your planning skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Explore Manufacturing – Centre of Excellence for Modern Construction (CEMC), Worksop, Nottinghamshire
Explore Manufacturing, part of Laing O\’Rourke, is transforming how the UK builds — leading the charge in off-site manufacturing and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA). Our state-of-the-art facility in Nottingham, CEMC, is Europe\’s largest pre-assembly concrete manufacturing centre, supporting major projects across the UK and a range of sectors.
We\’re looking for a Planner to help us bridge the gap between traditional construction and advanced manufacturing. This is a rare opportunity to step beyond site-based planning and gain full lifecycle exposure — from early design to factory floor — with true influence over how we build.
Why this role is unique
- True integration: You\’ll take high-level construction programmes and work backwards to shape design and manufacturing schedules — factoring in design timelines, factory output rates, and sequencing across multiple projects.
- Broader exposure: Support a diverse pipeline across building and infrastructure sectors — becoming a key contributor to some of the UK\’s most complex projects.
- Factory-first future: Get ahead of the curve by learning off-site methods, DfMA strategies, and digital integration with construction.
Your Role:
You\’ll be part of a close-knit planning unit at CEMC. Working closely with the Contracts Managers, Commercial, Production and Estimating teams, you\’ll project planning across multiple concurrent schemes (typically 6–12 months each).
Responsibilities:
- Assist with contract and tender planning, scheduling, and forecasting activities.
- Support pre-contract planning and contribute to work-winning bids.
- Develop manufacturing programmes for components across various sectors, including healthcare and civil projects.
- Help assess change and compensation events on live projects, ensuring contractual requirements are met and value is protected.
- Maintain and update project programmes throughout design, procurement, manufacturing, and delivery phases.
- Collaborate with stakeholders including commercial teams, design, production, and clients.
- Monitor project progress, highlight potential risks, and support efforts to improve efficiency.
- Provide guidance to junior planners as needed to help build planning skills.
What we\’re looking for
We\’re not expecting a concrete DfMA expert (though that\’s a bonus). We\’re ideally looking for someone with a construction planning background who brings the curiosity, confidence, and coordination skills to thrive in a manufacturing environment. However, if you come from a manufacturing background and believe your skills would align to the role, we would be keen to hear how you feel your skills would transition into the role.
Essential:
- Strong knowledge of planning software – ASTA preferred, P6 also valued.
- Background in construction planning or project delivery.
- Confidence managing stakeholders both upwards and downwards.
- Experience supporting multiple projects and juggling priorities.
- Broad mindset and interest in manufacturing and production process.
- Excellent communicator, organised and analytical.
Desirable:
- Understanding or experience of DfMA, lean construction, or preassembly.
- Previous experience administering the planning requirements on the NEC form of Contract.
- Degree in Construction Management, Engineering or similar.
- Experience in pre-contract planning or bid development.
- Experience managing planning teams or mentoring junior staff.
If you\’re a construction-savvy planner ready to expand your capabilities into the future of how we build, we want to hear from you.
About Us:
Laing O\’Rourke is dedicated to being a recognised leader in innovation and excellence in the construction industry. We focus on delivering projects that leave a lasting positive environmental legacy, driven by technical excellence in design, manufacturing, and construction.
We offer a competitive remuneration package (base salary + car/travel allowance) with access to PMI; enhanced pension and parental leave schemes; Life/Dental/Critical illness insurance and income protection; 33 days holiday inc. bank holidays; professional development opportunities and more!
We\’d welcome an informal chat via Callum Jones – Callumjones@LaingOrourke.com. We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you need the application form in an alternative format or have any questions about our process, please contact our resourcing team at resourcingteam@laingorourke.com.
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Project Planner employer: Laing O'Rourke
Contact Detail:
Laing O'Rourke Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Planner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those connected to Laing O'Rourke. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies of your past projects. When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, having tangible examples of your work can really set you apart.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t wait for job postings to pop up. Send a message through our website expressing your interest in the Planner role. Sometimes, showing enthusiasm can make all the difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on industry trends! Knowing about DfMA and off-site manufacturing will not only help you in interviews but also show that you're genuinely interested in the future of construction.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Planner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Planning: When you write your application, let your enthusiasm for project planning shine through! We want to see how your background aligns with our innovative approach to construction and manufacturing.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Project Planner role. Highlight relevant experiences and skills that match what we're looking for, especially in construction planning and stakeholder management.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key achievements stand out. This will help us quickly see why you're a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at CEMC!
How to prepare for a job interview at Laing O'Rourke
✨Know Your Planning Software
Make sure you're well-versed in planning software like ASTA or P6. Brush up on how these tools can help you manage multiple projects and streamline processes, as this will likely come up during your interview.
✨Understand DfMA Concepts
Even if you're not a DfMA expert, having a basic understanding of Design for Manufacture and Assembly will set you apart. Familiarise yourself with how it integrates into project planning and manufacturing to show your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience managing stakeholders at various levels. Think of examples where you've successfully communicated and coordinated with teams, as this is crucial for the Planner role.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask how you'd handle specific project challenges or changes. Think through potential risks and how you would mitigate them, demonstrating your analytical and problem-solving skills.