At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and maintain project schedules that drive complex engineering programmes.
- Company: Join a leading organisation in engineering with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous holiday, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that values diversity and continuous learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on engineering projects while developing your planning skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with Primavera P6 and a passion for solving complex problems.
The predicted salary is between 50650 - 66465 £ per year.
Directorate: Project Management Office
Location: Derby, Manchester, Warrington with Hybrid Working
Reports to: Lead Planner
Why this role matters
We need you to join us as a Project Planner and play a key role in creating and maintaining the schedules that keep our programmes moving. You’ll be our specialist in planning and scheduling—building robust work package schedules that reflect 100% of the scope and directly support confident, informed decision‑making across complex engineering and nuclear‑adjacent environments. Your work will have real impact: enabling On‑Time Delivery, supporting programme governance, and contributing to a system that underpins the safe and timely delivery of one of the UK’s most complex engineering programmes.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Develop, baseline and maintain work package schedules in line with SMR planning processes and guidance.
- Apply deep knowledge of Primavera P6, including WBS architecture, coding, resource structures and user‑defined fields.
- Capture and analyse schedule performance, comparing progress vs baseline to support effective decision making.
- Work within an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) environment, collaborating with engineering, supply chain, operations, procurement and programme management teams.
- Support Earned Value Management (EVM) processes, focusing on the theory and application rather than specific toolsets.
- Manage change control and baseline updates, ensuring accurate reflection of approved programme shifts.
- Provide mentoring and coaching to junior or apprentice planners as needed, supporting their development as our planning capability grows.
What You’ll Bring
There’s no such thing as a perfect candidate. If you meet ~75% of what we’re looking for, we’d love to hear from you.
Experience In Core Technical Skills
- Strong Primavera P6 practitioner‑level capability (front‑end scheduling + architecture).
- Working within an IMS / MIP structure, including horizontal & vertical logic.
- Knowledge of EVM principles and value management concepts.
- Change management and baseline control.
Programme Experience
- Experience supporting complex programmes—from engineering to construction to large‑scale technical delivery. Nuclear background is useful but not essential; complexity is more important.
Stakeholder Collaboration
- Skilled at working with multidisciplinary teams including engineering, programme management, operations, supply chain and procurement.
Nice to have
- Understanding of NEC‑style contractual requirements for schedules (advantageous, not essential).
Qualifications & Training
- Primavera P6 Practitioner – mandatory.
- APM PMQ (or working towards) – mandatory/flexible.
- APM PPC Practitioner (or equivalent) – desirable/willing to work towards.
- Experience within a project controls / PMO environment on complex programmes.
Who you’ll work with
- Lead Planners
- Programme managers
- Engineers
- Supply chain and procurement teams
- Operations & manufacturing functions
You’ll also contribute to the coaching and development of junior planners and apprentices as our capability grows.
About You
- Thinks in systems and structure
- Enjoys solving complex problems
- Communicates clearly and confidently with varied stakeholders
- Likes working in a collaborative, growing planning community
- Is excited by engineering and programme complexity—regardless of the sector you come from
What We Offer
- £50,650 - £66,500 salary
- £2,200 benefits allowance
- 12.5% bonus opportunity
- 6x pensionable life assurance
- 50% income protection
- 28 days holiday + bank holidays
- £250 new joiner payment
- Flexible & part‑time working options available
Ready to apply?
If you’re excited by complex engineering challenges and want to help shape the future of our planning capability, we’d love to hear from you.
Pay Range
£50,600.00 – £66,465.00
Why Join Us?
- 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.
Our Application Process
- 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
Project Planner in Manchester employer: Rolls-Royce SMR
Join us as a Project Planner in Derby, Manchester, or Warrington, where you'll thrive in a flexible and inclusive environment that champions career growth and innovation. With competitive salaries, generous benefits, and a commitment to employee development, we offer a unique opportunity to contribute to complex engineering programmes while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. Our culture values diversity and continuous learning, making it an excellent place for those passionate about shaping the future of planning in engineering.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Planner in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those who work in project management or have experience with complex engineering programmes. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that might not even be advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, whether at a networking event or an interview, make sure to highlight your expertise in Primavera P6 and your experience with EVM principles. We want them to see how you can add value to their team!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Brush up on your knowledge of change management and baseline control, as well as your ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. Being ready to discuss these topics will show you're the right fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about joining our planning community and tackling complex engineering challenges.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Planner in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with Primavera P6 and complex programmes. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Project Planner, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Collaboration Skills:Since this role involves working with various teams, it’s important to demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively. Share examples of how you’ve worked with multidisciplinary teams in the past, as this will show us you can thrive in our environment.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your experience and skills. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our company culture and values!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rolls-Royce SMR
✨Know Your Tools Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Primavera P6. Brush up on its features, especially WBS architecture and resource structures. Being able to discuss your experience with these tools confidently will show that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) environment. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve collaborated with multidisciplinary teams in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to work effectively across various functions, which is crucial for this role.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Think of examples where you’ve tackled complex problems in project planning. Whether it’s managing change control or applying EVM principles, having specific scenarios ready will help illustrate your capability and thought process during the interview.
✨Be Ready to Mentor
Since mentoring junior planners is part of the role, be prepared to talk about any experience you have in coaching or supporting others. Highlighting your willingness to share knowledge will resonate well with the interviewers and show your commitment to team growth.
