Senior Planner in Manchester

The Senior Planner is responsible for developing, monitoring, and controlling project schedules to ensure successful delivery of programme objectives. The role provides strategic planning expertise, supports risk and change management, and ensures accurate schedule reporting to senior stakeholders. The Senior Planner also provides information to the Project Management and Design Management teams on project progress to both critical path and project milestones, whilst working closely with the Project Services team in monitoring programme KPI’s e.g. Earned Value.

Reports to: Planning Manager

Key Accountabilities:

• Develop, maintain, and optimise project schedules using Primavera P6.
• Produce baseline schedules and align with scope, cost, and risk plans.
• Identify critical paths, dependencies, and key milestones.
• Coordinate inputs from teams, suppliers, and workstreams.
• Track progress against baselines and forecast outcomes.
• Deliver schedule reports, dashboards, and performance metrics.
• Lead schedule review meetings and highlight early warnings.
• Integrate risk and contingency planning into schedules.
• Conduct risk analysis where required.
• Assess change impacts and update schedules following approvals.
• Ensure compliance with planning standards and governance frameworks.
• Support stage-gate reviews and maintain audit trails.
• Collaborate with PMs, engineers, commercial, PMO, and suppliers.
• Communicate complex schedule issues clearly.
• Promote planning best practice and process improvement.
• Identify schedule changes/opportunities that could improve project delivery and mitigate delays.
• Schedule resource control & levelling, including forecasting for the purpose of resource management across the business.
• Undertake schedule quality checks and planning audits.
• Contribute to Pre-Qualification and Tender responses as required.
• Mentor Planners.

Essential:

• Extensive experience in planning complex projects (5–10+ years).
• Expert in Primavera P6.
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies.
• Analytical mindset and strong communication.

Desirable:

• Experience in infrastructure, nuclear, defence, construction, or IT.
• Knowledge of EVM and NEC contracts.
• Familiarity with schedule risk tools.

Duties and Requirements:

• Degree/HND in Project Management, Engineering, Construction Management, or similar.
• APM PMQ, PMI-SP, PSP, or similar qualifications desirable.
• Knowledge of using Project Planning software (Primavera) is required.
• SC or DV level security clearance is preferred though not essential. DV Security Clearance will be sponsored by the Company and all candidates MUST be eligible for DV clearance.
• Demonstrable competence gained in a planning/scheduling role.
• Ideally, a depth of experience will have been gained within a construction industry incorporating at least either civil, electrical or mechanical engineering disciplines.
• Experience of working within a project delivery environment is essential.
• Full knowledge of the Project Lifecycle is essential.

Why Nuvia:

Nuvia - a subsidiary of VINCI construction - is an international company that operates across highly regulated sectors including Civil Nuclear and has a strong presence and history of delivery at nuclear sites in the UK and internationally. Nuvia is a performance-driven company that is committed to the development of its people within a culture of safety, innovation, and excellence.

Employee Staff Benefits:

• 8.5% Pension Contribution & Life Assurance.
• Private Medical Scheme.
• Employee Share Scheme.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes: Electrical Vehicles, Technology and Cycle to Work.
• 25 days holiday (increasing to 28 days after 5 years’ service, 31 days after 10 years’ service).
• Option to buy, sell and carry over up to 5 days annual leave per year.
• In partnership with trade unions.
• Gym Discounts.
• Personal Development & Further Education Support.
• Long Service & Recognition Awards.
• Free Employee Assistance Programme after 1 year of service.