At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor a team of planners while managing complex construction projects.
- Company: Join a top construction company known for delivering high-quality infrastructure projects.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, professional development opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Why this job: Be part of impactful projects and develop your leadership skills in a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in construction planning with strong knowledge of first principles and project management tools.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in a supportive culture that values continuous improvement and technical excellence.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.
Location: Hull Office
Department: Planning
Reports to: Head of Planning / Managing Director (of Division)
Type: Full-time
About the Company
We are a leading construction company delivering high-quality infrastructure and building projects across multiple sectors. As part of our continued growth, we are looking to appoint a proactive and organised Project Planner to join our Planning Team. This role focuses on the delivery stage of projects, working closely with site teams to ensure programmes are realistic, maintained, and reflective of actual progress on the ground.
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Lead Planner to drive the planning function across complex and high-value projects. This role demands a technically proficient individual with strong people leadership skills, a deep understanding of construction methodology, and the ability to apply first principles planning to develop accurate, logical, and commercially viable programmes. The successful candidate will play a key role in aligning project delivery with both business and sector-specific requirements, while also mentoring and developing planning team members.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
- Lead and mentor a team of planners, promoting continuous improvement and technical excellence.
- Allocate planning resources effectively across projects and ensure consistency in planning standards.
- Support the development of junior team members through coaching, training, and technical guidance.
- Represent the planning function in senior project meetings and reviews.
- Oversee the development and maintenance of robust construction programmes using first principles—including the calculation of durations based on resource productivity, outputs, and methodology.
- Ensure programme logic reflects real-world construction sequences, buildability constraints, and interfaces between trades.
- Integrate design, procurement, construction, and commissioning timelines into a coherent master programme.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings to develop initial sequencing / phasing for programmes, independently.
- Identify and mitigate sequencing clashes or logistical constraints early in the planning process.
Commercial & Strategic Integration
- Align planning outputs with project commercial objectives, contract requirements, and business priorities.
- Provide input into project strategies, risk management plans, and cost-time trade-offs.
- Work closely with commercial teams to support valuations, EOT claims, and risk allowances.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Collaborate with clients, supply chain partners, and internal stakeholders to ensure programme visibility and buy-in.
- Lead planning-related discussions with clients, representing the company professionally and confidently.
Forensic Delay Analysis & Claims Support
- Lead the preparation and review of forensic delay analyses to support claims, extensions of time, and project reviews.
- Apply prospective and retrospective techniques (e.g. time impact analysis, windows analysis) to identify and quantify delay events.
- Support dispute resolution processes with clear and defensible programme evidence.
Requirements and Qualifications
Requirements
- 10+ years’ experience in construction or infrastructure planning.
- Proven ability to manage and develop planning teams.
- Strong working knowledge of first principles planning, construction methodology, and productivity analysis.
- High level of proficiency with Primavera P6 and planning/reporting tools.
- Solid understanding of NEC and any other major forms of contract.
- Demonstrated experience in forensic delay analysis and claims support.
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to align programme outputs with business goals.
- Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline preferred.
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Lead Planner employer: Spencer Group
Contact Detail:
Spencer Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Planner
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific construction methodologies and first principles planning techniques mentioned in the job description. This will not only help you understand the role better but also allow you to speak confidently about your experience during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the construction industry, especially those who have experience in planning roles. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the company culture at StudySmarter.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed and developed planning teams in the past. Think of specific examples where you've mentored junior team members or led a project to success, as this will demonstrate your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Brush up on your knowledge of Primavera P6 and other planning/reporting tools. Being able to showcase your technical proficiency with these tools during discussions will set you apart from other candidates and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Planner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in construction planning, particularly your leadership roles and any specific projects that align with the job description. Use keywords from the job posting to demonstrate your fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the company's needs and how your skills can meet them. Mention your experience with first principles planning and team management, and provide examples of how you've successfully led planning functions in previous roles.
Showcase Technical Proficiency: In your application, emphasise your proficiency with Primavera P6 and other planning tools. Include specific examples of how you have used these tools to develop robust construction programmes and manage project timelines effectively.
Highlight Stakeholder Engagement Skills: Demonstrate your ability to engage with various stakeholders by providing examples of past experiences where you successfully collaborated with clients and internal teams. This will show your capability to represent the planning function professionally.
How to prepare for a job interview at Spencer Group
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Planner, you'll be expected to lead and mentor a team. Be prepared to discuss your previous leadership experiences, how you've developed team members, and any strategies you've implemented for continuous improvement.
✨Demonstrate Technical Proficiency
Make sure to highlight your expertise in first principles planning and construction methodology. Be ready to provide examples of how you've applied these skills in past projects, particularly in developing accurate and commercially viable programmes.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Scenarios
Since the role involves collaborating with clients and internal stakeholders, think of instances where you've successfully engaged with various parties. Prepare to discuss how you ensure programme visibility and buy-in from all involved.
✨Understand Forensic Delay Analysis
Given the importance of forensic delay analysis in this role, brush up on your knowledge of techniques like time impact analysis and windows analysis. Be ready to explain how you've used these methods to support claims or resolve disputes in previous roles.