Planner

Planner

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support project planning and scheduling for exciting highways and street lighting projects.
  • Company: Join VolkerHighways, a leader in innovative civil engineering solutions.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private medical care, and generous annual leave.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on infrastructure projects while developing your skills.
  • Qualifications: Experience in planning within construction, strong software skills, and excellent communication.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values fairness and inclusion.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

VolkerHighways is a market leader in the delivery of highways and street lighting term maintenance contracts. We build strong collaborative relationships with our clients to drive improvements and efficiency in all our activities. We have the capability to deliver major surfacing and public realm infrastructure projects. Our specialist in-house traffic management division provides expert advice and support across the industry, whilst assisting with our own, in-house contracts.

The Planner will provide full planning and programme support across assigned projects, maintaining oversight of all scheduling, sequencing, progress monitoring and reporting. They will work closely with the Project Manager to develop, manage and update programmes throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring robust methodology, logical sequencing, and effective communication with internal teams and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities
  • Maintain, monitor and update programmes in line with contract requirements.
  • Develop project programmes for all stages with clear milestones and critical paths.
  • Identify and communicate critical path activities.
  • Support the team with short-term look-ahead programmes.
  • Highlight opportunities for early completion.
  • Manage programme changes and assess Compensation Events.
  • Work with the Commercial team to prepare and update procurement schedules.
  • Produce, issue and agree logic-linked construction programmes.
  • Lead meetings and present programme updates to teams and clients.
  • Produce accurate and timely project reports.
  • Liaise with subcontractors and supervisors to check and integrate their programmes.
  • Ensure programme information is stored and maintained correctly.
  • Coordinate with Local Authorities and other third parties.
  • Support development of production output data.
  • Produce programmes including quantities and output rates.
  • Create "What If" scenarios to explore alternative solutions.
  • Review as-built data, performance, lessons learned and undertake delay analysis.
  • Contribute to improving planning procedures.
  • Represent VolkerHighways professionally at meetings, with suppliers, and during tenders.

With projects spanning the Slough area, you will use your knowledge of construction methods and planning tools to question assumptions, spot efficiencies and keep delivery on track.

Skills and experience required include:
  • Relevant qualifications in construction or civil engineering (desirable).
  • Experience working within a highways construction environment.
  • Strong planning software skills, including Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project.
  • Ideally 5 years' experience in a dedicated Planning role.
  • Working knowledge of NEC3/NEC4 contracts, particularly relating to change and commercial aspects.
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality reports and deliver presentations.
  • Strong IT literacy, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
  • Knowledge of Power BI (desirable).
  • Commitment to continual personal development.
  • CSCS card required.

If your past experience doesn't match perfectly with every requirement of the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for us.

Why work with us?

VolkerHighways is under the umbrella of VolkerWessels UK which is a multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across the civil engineering and construction sectors including rail, highways, airport, marine, energy, water, and environmental infrastructure. By utilising the specialist skills of each business unit within VolkerWessels UK, VolkerHighways are able to ensure our staff provide unrivalled resources and expertise to our clients.

We offer competitive rewards and benefits, recognising the value we place on our employees. We offer a range of benefits, including:

  • Competitive salary
  • Competitive annual leave and an additional day off on your birthday
  • Option to buy additional annual leave
  • Private medical care
  • Pension
  • Life Assurance
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts
  • Training and development opportunities-comprehensive skills-based training
  • Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity benefits
  • Employee Assistance programme
  • Mental health, physical health, and financial support
  • 24/7 Virtual GP service

Fairness, inclusion and respect: We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that, whatever their background, VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive.

If you need support with your application, please contact us at.

VolkerWessels UK is committed to maintaining healthy, safe and productive working conditions for its entire staff and therefore a drugs & alcohol screening is mandatory for all.

Planner employer: VolkerWessels UK Ltd

VolkerHighways is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the Slough area where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong commitment to employee development, competitive benefits, and a culture that champions fairness and inclusion, we empower our team members to excel in their roles while contributing to impactful infrastructure projects. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking company that values your expertise and supports your professional growth.
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Contact Detail:

VolkerWessels UK Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Planner

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching VolkerHighways and understanding their projects. Be ready to discuss how your skills in planning and project management can contribute to their success. Show them you’re not just another candidate!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your presentation skills! As a Planner, you'll need to lead meetings and present updates. Grab a friend or family member and run through your pitch. Confidence is key, so make sure you can communicate your ideas clearly.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t hesitate to apply through our website! Even if you don’t tick every box in the job description, we value diverse experiences. Your unique background might be just what we’re looking for, so go for it!

We think you need these skills to ace Planner

Planning Software Skills
Primavera P6
Microsoft Project
NEC3/NEC4 Contracts Knowledge
Communication Skills
Report Writing
Presentation Skills
IT Literacy
Excel
Word
PowerPoint
Power BI Knowledge
Construction Methods Knowledge
Project Management
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your planning software skills and any relevant experience in highways construction to catch our eye!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for the Planner role. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed projects and communicated with teams in the past.

Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since strong communication is key for this role, ensure your application is clear and concise. Use bullet points for easy reading and make sure to proofread for any typos or errors.

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’re considered for the role without any hiccups!

How to prepare for a job interview at VolkerWessels UK Ltd

✨Know Your Planning Tools

Make sure you're well-versed in planning software like Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project. Brush up on how to demonstrate your skills with these tools during the interview, as they are crucial for the Planner role.

✨Understand NEC Contracts

Familiarise yourself with NEC3/NEC4 contracts, especially regarding change management and commercial aspects. Being able to discuss these in detail will show that you’re prepared and knowledgeable about the industry standards.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect to be asked about 'What If' scenarios. Think of examples where you've had to explore alternative solutions in past projects. This will highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to think on your feet.

✨Communicate Effectively

Strong communication is key in this role. Practice presenting project updates and reports clearly and confidently. You might even want to prepare a mock presentation to showcase your ability to convey complex information simply.

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