At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning and project controls for complex engineering projects, driving data-led decisions.
- Company: Join a leading firm in infrastructure and energy with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private healthcare, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a strong focus on mental health and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by enhancing project delivery and influencing business strategy.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in project controls and expertise in Primavera P6 or Asta Powerproject.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Planning & Project Controls Lead to join our regional Senior Leadership Team and take ownership of a high-performing planning and project controls function. This is a pivotal leadership role where you will drive data-led decision making, enhance project delivery performance, and ensure robust planning, risk management, and governance across a diverse portfolio of complex engineering projects. If you’re a strategic thinker with deep technical expertise and a passion for delivering excellence in project controls, we want to hear from you.
Key deliverables in this role are:
- Lead and develop the Planning & Project Controls function across the full project lifecycle (Win → Plan → Do → Handover)
- Act as a key member of the Regional Senior Leadership Team, influencing business strategy and performance
- Align stakeholders across Delivery, Commercial, SHEQ, Procurement, and Technical teams
- Own and assure contract baseline programmes using Primavera P6 or Asta Powerproject
- Lead regional resource planning, ensuring capability aligns with future demand
- Drive consistency and excellence in planning standards and processes
- Embed and monitor key KPIs (SPI, CPI, Earned Value, productivity)
- Deliver clear, data-driven reporting and dashboards for senior stakeholders
- Conduct forecasting and trend analysis to support proactive decision-making
- Lead advanced schedule risk analysis (Monte Carlo, TIA, SRA)
- Ensure effective change control across all programmes
- Maintain robust, auditable risk registers and mitigation strategies
- Support bids with robust planning, sequencing, and risk assessments
- Collaborate with Business Development to strengthen win strategies
- Ensure all activities align with contractual obligations (e.g. NEC), internal processes, and legislation
- Maintain accurate and auditable project data and records
- Champion a Safety First culture across all projects
- Drive compliance with HSEQ standards and continuous improvement
To be successful in this role you will have:
- Proven leadership experience within Planning / Project Controls
- Strong expertise in Primavera P6 and/or Asta Powerproject
- Experience working under NEC contracts
- Background in major infrastructure or energy sectors (Rail, Nuclear, Power, Water)
- Advanced knowledge of earned value management (EVM) and performance analytics
- Expertise in risk modelling and forecasting techniques
- Experience managing planning at a portfolio or regional level
- Project Management qualification (APM, PMI or equivalent)
- Relevant engineering / construction qualification or apprenticeship
- Leadership/management qualification (Level 5 or equivalent desirable)
Who You Are
- A strategic and influential leader who can inspire teams and stakeholders
- Data-driven, comfortable translating complex data into actionable insights
- Resilient and solutions-focused, able to navigate complex challenges
- A collaborator, fostering a high-performance, team-first culture
Benefits
- 25 days holiday per annum, plus bank holidays
- Pension with leading provider and up to 8% employer contribution
- Private healthcare
- Free 24/7 365 Employee assistance program to support mental health and wellbeing (including counselling sessions and legal advice)
- Discounts
- Personal development programme
- Flexible Benefits
- Travel allowance
Planning & Project Controls Lead in Manchester employer: NG Bailey MEH Alliance
Join a dynamic and innovative team as a Planning & Project Controls Lead in Manchester or Birmingham, where you will play a crucial role in shaping project delivery excellence across a diverse portfolio of engineering projects. Our company fosters a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth through comprehensive development programmes and flexible benefits, ensuring a supportive environment for your professional journey. With competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and a strong commitment to mental health and wellbeing, we are dedicated to creating a rewarding workplace for our employees.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planning & Project Controls Lead in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how important it is to make those personal connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and recent achievements. We recommend practising common interview questions and tailoring your answers to highlight your experience in planning and project controls.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring along examples of your previous work, especially those that demonstrate your skills in Primavera P6 or Asta Powerproject. We love seeing candidates who can back up their claims with real-life results.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who align with our mission to drive excellence in project controls.
We think you need these skills to ace Planning & Project Controls Lead in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Planning & Project Controls Lead role. Highlight your leadership experience and expertise in project controls, especially with tools like Primavera P6 or Asta Powerproject.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven data-led decision making and enhanced project delivery performance in your previous roles.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your technical expertise in risk modelling and forecasting techniques. We want to see how you can apply these skills to ensure robust planning and governance across our projects.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at NG Bailey MEH Alliance
✨Know Your Tools Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Primavera P6 and Asta Powerproject. Brush up on your technical skills and be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in past projects. Being able to demonstrate your expertise will show that you're the right fit for leading the Planning & Project Controls function.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams and influenced business strategy in previous roles. Think about specific situations where you drove performance or improved project delivery. This will help you illustrate your capability as a strategic leader who can inspire others.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since this role involves a lot of data analysis, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to make decisions. Discuss your experience with KPIs, forecasting, and risk management techniques. Showing that you can translate complex data into actionable insights will set you apart.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the company's portfolio and the sectors they operate in, like Rail, Nuclear, or Power. Be ready to discuss how your background aligns with their projects and how you can contribute to their success. This shows that you’re not just looking for a job, but are genuinely interested in their mission.
