Senior Project Planner - Energy Sector in Newcastle upon Tyne

Department: Energy and natural resources

Company Description

At Turner & Townsend we’re passionate about making the difference. That means delivering better outcomes for our clients, helping our people to realise their potential, and doing our part to create a prosperous society. Every day we help our major global clients deliver ambitious and highly technical projects, in over 130 countries worldwide. Our team is dynamic, innovative and client-focused, supported by an inclusive and fun company culture. Our clients value our proactive approach, depth of expertise, integrity and the quality we deliver. As a result our people get to enjoy working on some of the most exciting projects in the world.

Job Description

Due to increased opportunities and demand in the Energy & Natural Resources division, the Energy & Natural Resources team are recruiting Senior Project Planners to join a diverse and supportive team during a period of significant growth. Our nuclear client is at the forefront of industry leading change, and we are keen to speak to individuals with senior project planning experience to see what Turner & Townsend can offer you. Candidates will be required to be present in our client office in Teesside 2/3 days per week.

Main Purpose of Role

A Senior Planner will be responsible for work packages and projects of varying size and complexity. Due to the nature of the programme of works, work packages may vary in size with Senior Planners accountable for scheduling multiple smaller projects or one which could be significantly larger in value. A Senior Planner will be responsible for taking the lead on planning for multiple non‑related projects or single highly complex projects within the programme of works. They will understand and manage relationships between time, cost, risk, change, reporting and scope, with accountability for creating and maintaining robust schedules that provide our clients with accurate data to drive management decisions. They will play a key role in ensuring that client objectives are met and that projects are delivered to time and cost targets and the appropriate quality standards.

Key Accountabilities

• Taking the lead on planning, supporting more junior planning professionals on novel, high‑value projects or programmes.
• Creation, development and maintenance of project schedules that assist and align with project requirements on a complex, risk‑managed project or programme.
• Adherence to NEC or FIDIC contract processes for management of schedule data and submissions.
• Assisting the project team to develop status reports to keep management informed on project progress.
• Involvement with senior team in oversight of day‑to‑day management, staffing and the implementation of Integrated Project Controls standards and processes.
• Reducing uncertainty, improving efficiency and understanding project objectives.
• Interacting with the project team to define scope of work to develop and update detailed schedules, cost information and identification of variances from original schedule.
• Assisting project managers to schedule work and coordinate assignments.
• Evaluation of project schedule progress and performance and identify developing problem areas.
• Analysis of float, critical path and constraints to understand the effect of approved changes or slippages to schedule, recommending alternative courses of action for recovery.
• Undertaking project progress reviews.
• Monitoring and consolidation of multiple project schedules into Integrated master Schedule (IMS).
• Monitoring the project managers reporting system summarising the progress status of all projects.
• Monitor and advise on status of project KPIs across multiple projects.
• Understand and report EVM on a periodic basis.
• Functional management of planning personnel within the Turner & Townsend team, conducting mentoring and coaching as required.

Qualifications

You have senior professional Project Controls experience specialising in Planning & Scheduling in one or more sectors across the whole Project lifecycle. While nuclear experience is desirable it is not an absolute requirement. You have strong knowledge and proficiency with Primavera (P6) and other planning and resourcing software and can coordinate and work with other teams utilising your multi‑disciplinary knowledge. You will be a strong communicator, able to demonstrate leadership behaviours with the ability to influence, manage, motivate, coach and develop a team by fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. You promote empowerment and contribution and have a passion to build a community and support network beyond your delivery role.

You also;

• Will be able to obtain BPSS level security clearance.
• Are a member of a relevant professional body e.g., Association for Project Management, Project Management Institute.
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Have the ability to make risk‑based decisions where the parameters are unclear, and judgement is needed.
• Have strong leadership skills with the ability to mobilise, inspire and lead by example.
• Can navigate through conflict situations and defuse tension.
• Have a desire to work within the nuclear sector.

Additional Information

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change. We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work‑life balance. Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.