At a Glance
- Tasks: Help develop and maintain construction programmes for exciting civil engineering projects.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking civil engineering contractor with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Supportive team environment with genuine career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Transition from site delivery to planning and shape project outcomes.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Section Engineer and a degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 € per year.
Salary: £45000 - £60000 per annum + package and benefits
Type: Full Time
Region: UK - London
Posted: 18/05/2026
Assistant Planner – Ideal for a Section Engineer Ready to Move into Planning
Are you an experienced Section Engineer with strong self‑delivery experience in civil engineering? Looking to take the next step off site and into a planning-focused role while still staying close to live project delivery? This is an excellent opportunity to join an established, forward‑thinking civil engineering contractor that is expanding its work‑winning and planning team due to a strong pipeline of secured projects and upcoming tenders.
As an Assistant Planner, you will use your practical site knowledge to help develop, analyse, and maintain construction programmes across a diverse range of civil engineering schemes. Your understanding of buildability, sequencing, and site constraints will make you a key contributor to both tender and live project planning.
Key Responsibilities
- Developing, updating, and refining detailed construction programmes, including activity sequencing, durations, milestones, and critical paths.
- Using your site experience to identify realistic methodologies, constraints, and opportunities for optimisation.
- Allocating and tracking resources such as labour, plant, and materials.
- Working closely with project managers, engineers, and delivery teams to resolve programme challenges and maintain progress.
- Supporting estimating and commercial teams with programme input for tenders and bids.
- Analysing risks, identifying potential delays, and helping implement mitigation strategies.
- Providing clear programme updates, progress intelligence, and recommendations throughout the project lifecycle.
- Travelling to sites for progress reviews, planning workshops, and data collection, including occasional overnight stays when required.
What's On Offer
- Competitive salary with a comprehensive benefits package
- Ongoing professional development and structured planning training
- Exposure to a wide range of civil engineering projects
- A supportive, collaborative team that values your site experience and technical insight
- A genuine pathway into a long‑term planning career
We're looking for someone motivated, proactive, and ready to transition from site delivery into a planning-focused role.
Essential
- Experience as a Section Engineer or similar role within civil engineering
- Strong understanding of construction methodology, sequencing, and site operations
- A degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering or Construction Management
- A full UK driving licence
- Willingness to travel to sites and stay away when required
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- A professional, punctual, and positive approach
- A genuine interest in planning, programming, and project delivery
Whether you're a Section Engineer looking to move into planning or a site‑based professional seeking a new challenge, this role offers the perfect route into a rewarding career shaping how projects are delivered. If you're ready to take the next step and join a company that invests in your development, we'd love to hear from you.
Aldwych Consulting values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application. Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.
Assistant Planner employer: The Construction Index Ltd
Join a forward-thinking civil engineering contractor in London, where your site experience will be valued and leveraged in a planning-focused role. With a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, you'll enjoy ongoing professional development and a supportive team culture that fosters collaboration and growth. This is an excellent opportunity to transition into a long-term planning career while working on diverse and exciting projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Planner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the civil engineering field and let them know you're on the lookout for an Assistant Planner role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Get your hands dirty with some research! Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in construction planning and project delivery. This will not only boost your confidence but also give you some great talking points during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for interviews by running through common questions related to planning and project management. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to get comfortable with your responses.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our team. Don’t hesitate to showcase your site experience and passion for planning!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Planner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Assistant Planner role. Highlight your site experience and any relevant projects you've worked on, as this will show us you're ready to transition into planning.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're interested in moving from a Section Engineer role to planning. Share specific examples of how your site knowledge can contribute to effective project delivery.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:As an Assistant Planner, you'll need to work closely with various teams. Make sure your application demonstrates your strong communication and interpersonal skills. This could be through examples of past collaborations or how you’ve resolved challenges on site.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates about the role. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Construction Index Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your civil engineering knowledge, especially around construction methodologies and sequencing. Be ready to discuss how your site experience can translate into effective planning strategies.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled challenges on-site. Think about specific instances where you identified constraints or optimised processes, as this will demonstrate your ability to contribute to project planning.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Since the role involves working closely with project managers and engineers, being able to convey your ideas effectively is crucial.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's projects and planning processes. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can fit into their team.
