Planning Manager in Cardiff

AtkinsRéalis is a world‑leading design, engineering and project management organisation. We connect people, data and technology to transform infrastructure and energy systems across the globe. Our purpose is simple: to engineer a better future for our planet and its people, creating sustainable solutions that shape the world around us.

Our teams deliver some of the most complex and transformative programmes worldwide. By combining multidisciplinary expertise, global best practice and deep sector knowledge, we help clients achieve ambitious outcomes. Our success is powered by talented people whose diverse thinking and creativity drive innovation every day.

Join us and you’ll be part of a collaborative and inclusive environment where you’re trusted with meaningful responsibility and supported to grow your career. You’ll have access to flexibility, development opportunities and the chance to make a real impact.

We promote work–life balance through flexible and remote‑working policies. We champion equality, diversity and inclusion, and we are a Disability Confident employer. Our culture is built on respect, belonging and opportunities for all.

Our Planning Function plays a critical role in delivering certainty and performance across sectors including Rail, Highways, Utilities, Nuclear, Defence and Aviation.

Your Role

• Provide leadership, assurance and strategic direction across planning activities for complex programmes and multidisciplinary teams.
• Lead and manage planning teams, providing coaching, direction and quality assurance across all scheduling outputs.
• Develop the overall planning strategy for programmes, including schedule structure, governance, reporting frameworks and integration requirements.
• Oversee development and maintenance of fully integrated project and programme schedules, ensuring robust logic, sequencing, critical path and change control.
• Provide authoritative schedule analysis, including scenario modelling, critical path evaluations, impact assessments and mitigation strategies for senior stakeholders.
• Lead schedule‑related elements of performance measurement, including Earned Value Management, trend analysis and schedule‑cost‑risk integration.
• Ensure effective baseline management and alignment with contractual and governance requirements.
• Provide leadership in planning reporting, producing clear, consistent and insightful status updates and narratives for clients and senior leadership.
• Build strong client and stakeholder relationships, representing the Planning Function at senior level and influencing strategic outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement, standardisation and best practice across planning processes, tools and methodologies.
• Oversee compliance with relevant contract requirements (NEC, JCT, FIDIC etc.) and ensure planning obligations are met.
• Support bid and work‑winning activities, defining planning methodologies, estimating schedule requirements and presenting planning approaches.
• Champion the development of capability across the planning community and contribute to the growth of our service offering.

About you

• Relevant years of planning experience, with significant experience in complex, multidisciplinary or major projects/programmes.
• Strong leadership experience, including managing planning teams and assuring complex scheduling outputs.
• Advanced proficiency in planning software, including Primavera P6, Microsoft Project (MSP), Open Plan, Asta Powerproject (or similar).
• Deep understanding of schedule development, logic, critical path, constraints, interfaces and scenario modelling.
• Proven experience leading schedule‑cost‑risk integration and performance measurement (including EVM).
• Strong capability in baseline management, change control and governance.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, able to engage, influence and challenge at senior stakeholder level.
• Broad understanding of project controls disciplines (cost, risk, commercial) and how they interact with planning.
• Strong understanding of relevant contract forms (NEC, JCT, FIDIC etc.) and their implications for planning and reporting.
• Experience of working in a consultancy environment, delivering for clients and managing multiple stakeholder needs.
• Engineering and/or construction background highly desirable, supporting effective engagement with technical teams, design, procurement and delivery function.

Reward & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Additional information

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.