Head of Planning and IES

Location: Manchester, Warrington or Derby with hybrid working

Directorate: Project Management Office

Why this role matters

At Rolls-Royce SMR, we’re building a world-class capability to deliver clean, reliable nuclear energy at scale. To do this, we need strong, integrated planning that connects every part of our organisation.

We need you to lead the development of our Integrated Enterprise Schedule (IES), ensuring alignment across complex programmes and enabling confident, data-driven decision-making at the highest levels.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead the development and management of the Integrated Enterprise Schedule, ensuring alignment across all projects and programmes
• Ensure all plans integrate into a single, enterprise-wide schedule with clear dependencies and milestones
• Own planning governance, standards, and the IES work breakdown structure across the organisation
• Provide high-quality scheduling insight to support governance, strategic workforce planning, and executive decision-making
• Validate schedule integrity, including critical paths, dependencies, and resource alignment
• Lead programme change coordination, assessing impacts and ensuring decisions are driven by robust data
• Collaborate with project managers and planners to maintain accurate, consistent schedule data
• Define and continuously improve planning systems, tools, and processes to ensure best practice

What you’ll bring

We recognise there’s no such thing as a perfect candidate — if you meet around 75% of the criteria, we’d still love to hear from you. We’re particularly interested in:

• Advanced expertise in scheduling tools such as Primavera P6 or MS Project
• Strong capability in critical path analysis and risk-adjusted scheduling
• Experience working across complex, matrix organisations with multiple stakeholders
• Ability to integrate planning with cost and risk frameworks to manage programme uncertainty
• Experience producing high-quality reporting for governance boards and senior stakeholders
• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to influence and align cross-functional teams
• Experience managing and improving planning systems and tools

Qualifications & experience

We need you to have:

• Degree in project management, engineering, or a related discipline
• Professional certification in scheduling (e.g. PMI-SP, AACE PSP)
• Experience in scheduling within regulated or complex industries

What success looks like

In this role, success means:

• Delivering a fully integrated enterprise schedule across all programme phases
• Enabling clear visibility of programme timelines and risks for senior stakeholders
• Driving consistency, governance, and best practice in planning across the organisation

Working with us

You’ll operate in a highly collaborative, matrix environment, working closely with programme leaders, planners, and senior stakeholders across the business. This role offers flexibility in how and where you work, with a focus on outcomes and impact.

Reward & benefits

As part of Rolls-Royce SMR, you’ll benefit from:

• Salary between £85,600 - £118,200
• Bonus opportunity 20% short term and 15% long term incentives
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Generous annual leave plus bank holidays
• Pension, life assurance, and income protection
• £8,500 Benefits allowance to tailor to your needs
• £250 new joiner payment

Why Join Us?

You’ll be joining a forward-thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness, and innovation. We offer:

• A flexible, inclusive, and supportive working environment.
• Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.
• A culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Inclusivity is important to us, and as a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive, and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job. But we'll let you in on a secret: there's no such thing as a 'perfect' candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you. Also, if you are considering a career move or a sector-jump, please get in touch – we welcome applications from people with transferable skills.

Our Application Process

Due to the safety regulations within the nuclear industry, applicants will be required to participate in additional screening. These are:

• Obtaining Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance
• Satisfactory completion of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Satisfactory completion of a basic financial probity check