Planning Manager

Morson Edge is recruiting for an experienced Planning Manager to support the successful delivery of a major infrastructure programme in Suffolk, with opportunities to contribute to future nationally significant infrastructure and energy projects. This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished planning professional to lead programme management across complex civil engineering works, ensuring projects are effectively planned, monitored and controlled throughout the full project lifecycle. Working closely with project leadership, commercial teams and delivery partners, youll play a key role in driving programme performance, managing risk and supporting successful project delivery within a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. If youre an experienced Planning Manager with strong Primavera P6 and NEC expertise, this role offers the opportunity to influence major infrastructure projects from tender stage through to completion. The Role As Planning Manager, youll lead all aspects of project planning and programme management, ensuring integrated project programmes are developed, maintained and monitored to meet contractual obligations, delivery milestones and client expectations. Youll provide strategic planning leadership, oversee programme reporting and project controls, support commercial and operational decision-making, and drive continuous improvement in planning standards across the project. Key Responsibilities Programme Leadership Develop, maintain and manage fully integrated project programmes using Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project. Produce baseline, tender and contract programmes aligned with project methodology, procurement strategy and construction sequencing. Establish and maintain robust critical path analysis, programme logic and contractual milestones. Lead planning activities across design, procurement, construction, commissioning and project handover. Coordinate programme interfaces across project teams, subcontractors and stakeholders. Project Controls & Reporting Monitor project progress against programme and key performance indicators. Produce weekly and monthly programme reports, dashboards, look-ahead schedules and programme narratives. Lead earned value reporting and project controls activities. Analyse delays and develop mitigation, recovery and acceleration programmes. Present programme performance and strategic updates to senior leadership and client representatives. Risk, Change & Commercial Support Identify programme risks, constraints and opportunities throughout the project lifecycle. Support programme assurance reviews and risk workshops. Assess the programme impact of change, supporting Extension of Time (EoT) submissions and commercial decision-making. Resource-load and level programmes to optimise delivery and sequencing. Provide planning expertise to support forecasting, change management and contractual compliance under NEC contracts. Leadership & Stakeholder Management Work collaboratively with Project Managers, Engineers, Commercial Teams, Procurement, Supply Chain Partners and Clients. Mentor and support planners within the wider project team, promoting best practice and consistency in planning standards. Ensure planning governance, reporting standards and business processes are applied consistently across the project. Support tender submissions through programme development, methodology planning, logistics strategies and phasing plans. About You Youll be an experienced Planning Manager with a proven track record of delivering planning excellence across major infrastructure or civil engineering projects. Youll combine strong technical planning expertise with excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills, enabling you to influence project outcomes and support successful delivery. Essential Requirements Significant planning experience within major infrastructure, civil engineering, utilities, energy, rail or highways projects. Advanced Primavera P6 experience with the ability to produce integrated project programmes, impact programmes and recovery schedules. Strong understanding of NEC contracts and programme management within complex project environments. Excellent knowledge of construction sequencing, project controls, critical path analysis and programme performance reporting. Experience supporting commercial teams with change management, delay analysis and Extension of Time assessments. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex programme data and communicate clear recommendations. Excellent leadership, stakeholder management and client-facing communication skills. Proven experience managing multidisciplinary interfaces across design, commercial, engineering and operational teams. Desirable Qualifications Degree or HND in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or a related discipline. Membership of APM, ICE, CIOB, PMI or another relevant professional body. Primavera P6 certification. NEC accreditation. Experience producing programme dashboards using Power BI or similar reporting tools. What Were Looking For Were looking for someone who is: Collaborative - Able to build strong relationships and lead planning activities across multidisciplinary project teams. Trusted - Committed to delivering accurate, reliable programme information while maintaining the highest professional standards. Focused - Strategic, analytical and proactive, with the ability to manage competing priorities and drive successful project outcomes. This is an excellent opportunity to join a nationally significant infrastructure programme and play a leading role in delivering complex engineering projects while supporting the future growth of one of the UKs most important infrastructure portfolios. TPBN1_UKTJ