At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and manage civil engineering projects from start to finish, ensuring timely delivery.
- Company: Join a growing civil engineering firm with a supportive and professional culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, stable long-term opportunity, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and mentorship.
- Why this job: Be part of exciting infrastructure projects and enhance your planning skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in civil engineering planning and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
About the Role
M O’Brien’s Civil Engineering team is looking for an experienced and driven Planner to play a key role in the successful delivery of a diverse portfolio of civil engineering and infrastructure projects across the region. This role is responsible for providing high-quality planning, programming, and strategic support throughout the project lifecycle. Working closely with project teams, clients, designers, and key stakeholders, you will ensure robust and effective planning processes are established from tender and pre-construction through to project completion.
The successful candidate will bring strong technical planning expertise, commercial awareness, and the ability to provide clear strategic insight to support project performance and delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Implement and manage detailed, fully integrated project programmes across multiple civil engineering schemes.
- Provide strategic planning and programming support throughout the tender, pre-construction, and delivery phases of projects.
- Work closely with project managers, site teams, design teams, commercial teams, and supply chain partners to ensure programmes are realistic, achievable, and aligned with project objectives.
- Monitor and analyse project performance against agreed programmes, identifying potential delays, constraints, and emerging risks at an early stage.
- Develop and implement effective mitigation and recovery strategies to maintain key milestones and overall programme targets.
- Ensure planning, design, procurement, construction, and commissioning activities are effectively coordinated and integrated.
- Provide clear and accurate programme reporting, including progress updates, critical path analysis, key milestones, risk exposure, and recovery actions, for senior management and clients.
- Support the identification and management of programme-related risks and opportunities throughout the project lifecycle.
- Contribute to tender submissions by developing robust programmes, sequencing methodologies, resource strategies, and supporting planning information.
- Drive continuous improvement across planning standards, processes, systems, and reporting within the regional Civils team.
- Provide leadership, guidance, and mentoring to other members of the planning function, promoting a consistent and high standard of planning across projects.
- Challenge existing ways of working and identify opportunities to improve project predictability, efficiency, and delivery performance.
About You
We are looking for an experienced planning professional with a strong background in civil engineering or infrastructure and the confidence to operate at both project and strategic levels. You will ideally have:
- Proven experience as a Planner within civil engineering, infrastructure, or a related construction environment.
- Strong technical knowledge of project planning, programming, sequencing, progress measurement, and programme analysis.
- Extensive experience using industry-standard planning and project controls software. Preferably P6 Primavera & Asta Power Project.
- A strong understanding of construction methodologies, project interfaces, critical path management, and programme risk.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive and solutions-focused approach.
- The ability to identify potential issues early and develop practical, effective mitigation and recovery strategies.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to engage effectively with project teams, clients, senior management, and external stakeholders.
- The ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively across multiple projects within a fast-paced environment.
- Strong organisational skills and a high level of attention to detail.
- A relevant qualification in civil engineering, construction, project management, or a related discipline is preferred.
What We Offer
Competitive salary (DOE). Stable, long-term opportunity within a growing business. Supportive and professional working environment. Opportunity to make a direct impact on operational performance.
Project Planner - Civil Engineering in St Albans employer: M O'Brien group
M O'Brien Group is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work culture that prioritises safety and quality in every project. With competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, employees are encouraged to grow their careers through continuous development opportunities, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in civil engineering within the vibrant city of Coventry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Planner - Civil Engineering in St Albans
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like M O'Brien group, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Project Planner - Civil Engineering at M O'Brien group.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Planner - Civil Engineering in St Albans
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at M O'Brien group
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
