At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our civil engineering team to plan and schedule innovative infrastructure projects.
- Company: McDermotts, a family-founded civil engineering company with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to equality and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-profile projects while growing your skills in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: 7-10 years of planning experience in civil engineering and strong Primavera P6 skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced
Planner to join our dynamic civil engineering team, specialising in groundworks and infrastructure projects.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in planning within the construction sector, with proven experience working under NEC and JCT contracts .
Job type
Contract, Full time
Working hours
Site location
Coleshill, B46
About the role
The ideal candidate will be a
Senior Planner / Scheduling Engineer with a strong civil engineering background , who understands how work is actually constructed and can convert that understanding into a robust P6 programme.
They should be equally comfortable sitting with a Site Agent discussing tomorrow's drainage works, interrogating P6 logic, producing a Clause 32 update for BBV, analysing a delayed access date, or building a resource forecast for multiple drainage gangs .
This is therefore not a purely administrative planning position .
The successful candidate must be able to actively contribute to construction strategy, programme recovery, resource planning and contractual programme management.
Key responsibilities
- Planning & Scheduling
- Develop, maintain and update detailed
Primavera P6 programmes from contract-level through to detailed construction activity level.
- Develop detailed programmes for individual drainage assets, work fronts, drain runs and construction gangs.
- Establish robust activity logic, including predecessors, successors, constraints, interfaces, calendars and appropriate float.
- Develop detailed construction sequences that reflect actual site methodology and available working fronts.
- Incorporate BBV-prescribed access dates and earthworks readiness dates into the programme.
• Maintain a clear distinction between
- Pre-construction
- Design / approvals
- Procurement
- Mobilisation
- Construction
- Testing / completion
- Demobilisation
- Develop and maintain short-term / look-ahead programmes to support site delivery.
Programmes must demonstrate the required level of detail, including individual catchpits, pipe runs, headwalls, UTX crossings, ditch runs and drainage sections.
- Progress & Programme Updates
- Own the preparation of periodic
NEC Clause 32 programme updates .
- Accurately record actual progress, remaining durations and forecast dates.
- Undertake regular data-date / status-date updates using information from site teams.
• Review progress against accepted programmes and identify
- Slippage
- Critical path movement
- Float erosion
- Out-of-sequence working
- Access constraints
- Productivity issues
- Emerging programme risks
- Produce clear programme narratives explaining changes to sequence, logic and forecast completion.
- Support the Project Manager with programme evidence for
Early Warnings, Compensation Events and programme risk discussions .
The current programme identifies access uncertainty, fragmented possession windows, late information release, procurement impacts and resource stacking as key programme risks.
Essential qualifications & experience
- Minimum
7–10 years' planning / scheduling experience within civil engineering or major infrastructure.
- Strong practical experience using
Primavera P6 .
- Proven experience working on complex construction programmes with multiple work fronts and interfaces.
- Experience of detailed construction planning and methodology development.
- Experience of working with
Tier 1 and Tier 2 contractors .
- Strong understanding of construction sequencing, productivity and resource requirements.
- Experience of progress updating and programme reporting.
- Experience working within an
NEC contractual environment .
- Ability to interrogate and analyse programme logic rather than simply update activities.
- Experience of working directly with Site Managers, Engineers and Project Managers.
- Strong Excel skills, including the ability to manipulate programme and progress data.
Desirable Experience
- Civil Engineering / Construction / Project Controls qualification.
- Previous experience on
HS2, major rail, highways or other major infrastructure projects .
- Experience of drainage, earthworks, structures or utilities.
- Experience with
Asta Powerproject .
- Experience with Microsoft Project.
- Experience producing NEC Clause 32 narratives.
- Experience supporting compensation event assessments.
- Experience with resource loading and resource histograms.
- Experience developing
4–6 week look-ahead programmes .
- Experience developing detailed fragnet / mini-programmes to assess changes in sequence or methodology.
- Experience with P6 XER interrogation / data extraction.
- Experience of working with large, multi-disciplinary project teams.
What we offer
- Opportunity to work on high-profile infrastructure projects
- Supportive and collaborative team environment
- Career development and training opportunities
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Why Join Mc Dermotts
Mc Dermotts is a nationwide civil engineering and groundworks company based in Birmingham, supporting some of the largest construction companies across the length and breadth of the UK.
Established in 1994, we’re a family-founded business that still operates with the customer focus and values we started with.
Construction is our passion, and we believe that the industry can provide rich and rewarding experiences.
Our certifications include: CIOB, ISO 45001, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, NHSS30, PQS Health and Safety SSIP, Achilles Building Confidence, Safe contractor, Construction Line, SMAS, Mission Zero and Considerate Constructors.
To ensure we continue to meet the needs of our customers and grow as a business, we continually look for new recruits to join our team.
When you engage with Mc Dermotts, you are not just joining a team, you become part of our family.
Our culture is built around supporting each other and working together to achieve success.
- Commitments to equality & diversity
- Mc Dermotts is an equal opportunities employer, and we value diversity.
- All engagement is decided based on a qualifications, merit and business need.
- Applicants from outside the UK must have a suitable visa or the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for this job.
- Your shared personal information will be stored and shared by email or a printed copy with HR and hiring managers in relation to any open vacancy for which you wish to be considered.
Planner in Coleshill employer: McDermott Building and Civil Engineering Ltd
McDermott Building and Civil Engineering Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture in Birmingham that fosters collaboration and innovation within its Finance team. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional growth through involvement in high-profile infrastructure projects, alongside a supportive environment that values skill development and teamwork.
Contact Details:
McDermott Building and Civil Engineering Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planner in Coleshill
✨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 McDermott Building and Civil Engineering Ltd, 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 Planner at McDermott Building and Civil Engineering Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Planner in Coleshill
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 McDermott Building and Civil Engineering Ltd
✨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!
