LEAD MEP AND CONSTRUCTION PLANNER Salary: £90,000–£100,000 per annum Location: Kings Cross, with an agile working model including project/site and office attendance. Role Overview Our client is seeking an experienced Lead MEP and Construction Planner to provide leadership and development of the planning function across the business. This is a senior opportunity for an established planning professional who can lead a team of planners, maintain high standards of programme delivery and provide strategic planning support from tender and pre-construction through to project completion. The role combines hands-on project planning with team leadership, process improvement and the continued development of planning capability. The successful candidate will work closely with senior management, clients, engineering, commercial, estimating and project teams. Key Responsibilities Lead, mentor and manage a team of planners, ensuring high standards of planning delivery across projects. Develop and maintain robust project programmes aligned with project and business objectives. Oversee planning activities across estimation, design, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover. Develop programmes from first principles, including quantity take-offs, productivity assessments, duration calculations and logical sequencing. Monitor programme performance, identify risks and opportunities, and drive corrective actions and recovery plans. Collaborate with clients, project teams, supply chain partners and stakeholders to manage interfaces and key milestones. Provide commercial insight into programme impacts, productivity rates, resource requirements and sequencing strategies. Prepare and present programme updates, progress reports, labour efficiency analysis and mitigation plans. Lead planning workshops, programme reviews and governance activities. Drive continuous improvement in planning processes, systems, reporting and best practice. Support the development of planning standards, templates and procedures. Planning & Programme Management Create compliant, robust programmes from first principles, interpreting drawings, completing quantity take-offs, applying productivity/output rates, assessing resource requirements and determining realistic activity durations. Establish logical construction sequences that reflect efficient and collaborative delivery methodologies. Produce detailed estimation, pre-construction, design, fabrication, procurement, construction, commissioning and handover programmes. Ensure programmes are regularly updated and accurately reflect current project status. Integrate MEP services activities with wider construction programmes. Use Asta Powerproject as the primary operational planning tool for weekly programme reviews, look-ahead planning, progress updates and detailed programme drilldowns. Chair and facilitate weekly programme review meetings with engineering, commercial and project teams. Monitor critical path activities, programme float, productivity trends and key project milestones. Maintain programme integrity between Asta Powerproject and Primavera P6. Produce and maintain client-facing Primavera P6 programmes in line with contractual requirements and reporting cycles. Project Monitoring & Control Monitor programme performance against agreed baselines. Identify programme risks, constraints, delays and opportunities, implementing appropriate mitigation. Analyse critical path activities and programme impacts arising from changes, delays or disruption. Drive corrective actions to maintain project milestones and completion dates. Support project teams with recovery and acceleration plans where required. Stakeholder Engagement Work collaboratively with clients, consultants, subcontractors, suppliers and internal teams to manage programme interfaces and dependencies. Facilitate weekly or daily planning workshops and programme review meetings as required. Communicate programme requirements and critical activities clearly to project stakeholders. Present complex planning information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. Commercial & Strategic Support Provide commercial insight regarding programme impacts, labour productivity, production rates and construction sequencing. Support commercial teams in evaluating variations, compensation events and programme changes. Assist with tender submissions by identifying optimal delivery strategies and programme efficiencies. Support claims preparation through programme analysis and forensic review where required. Reporting, Governance & Continuous Improvement Prepare and present regular progress reports to senior management, clients and project teams. Report on programme trends, labour efficiencies, key milestones and performance indicators. Produce programme narratives and mitigation strategies. Ensure planning outputs comply with contractual obligations and company standards. Contribute to planning standards, templates, best practice, collaborative planning and lessons learned. Skills & Experience Significant experience in a Planning, Senior Planning or Lead Planning role within MEP and construction environments. Proven ability to manage and develop planning teams. For more information regarding the above, please contact Stephen Tiigah – (url removed)
Lead MEP and Construction Planner employer: Skilled Careers
At Skilled Careers, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer in the construction industry, offering a supportive work culture that values teamwork and personal growth. Our employees benefit from comprehensive training opportunities, competitive pay, and a commitment to safety, all while working in the vibrant community of Barton Le Clay. Join us to not only advance your career but also to be part of a company that truly cares about its workforce and their development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead MEP and Construction Planner
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Skilled Careers, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Lead MEP and Construction Planner at Skilled Careers.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Skilled Careers
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
