Project Planner

W M Donald Ltd are looking for a reliable and safety-focused Project Planner based in our office in Netherley. The successful candidate will be responsible to support the successful and efficient delivery of construction projects through the creation, management, and control of accurate project schedules and planning documentation, ensuring that all work complies with contractual, legislative, and client requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, maintain, and refine detailed project programmes using industry-standard planning software (Asta Powerproject, Microsoft Project, or Primavera P6).
• Create and manage programmes ensuring current status is accurately reflected.
• Monitor project progress against baseline schedules, updating programmes to reflect current status and forecast completion dates.
• Identify critical paths and float analysis, reporting risks to timelines and proposing mitigation strategies.
• Prepare and issue NEC Clause 31/32 compliant programmes and updates as required by contract.
• Prepare detailed tender programmes demonstrating understanding of project scope, methodology, and key constraints.
• Support estimating teams with programme-related information for bid submissions.
• Develop construction methodologies and sequencing strategies during pre-construction phase.
• Attend tender interviews and presentations where planning input is required.
• Review contract documents to identify programme constraints, phasing requirements, and key dates.
• Work closely with site management teams to understand operational realities and incorporate practical constraints into programmes.
• Conduct regular site visits to verify progress, understand challenges, and gather accurate programme update information.
• Support collaborative planning sessions with site teams, developing look-ahead schedules and short-interval programmes.
• Communicate programme changes, constraints, and critical activities to gangers, foremen, and site engineers.
• Assist site teams in developing recovery programmes when projects fall behind schedule.
• Attend and actively contribute to internal progress meetings, client meetings, and planning workshops.
• Present programme information to clients, explaining progress, delays, and recovery strategies.
• Produce clear schedule-related reports, charts, histograms, and dashboards for internal and external stakeholders.
• Act as a key planning interface between contract management, engineering, procurement, and site teams.
• Coordinate the planning of labour, subcontractors, plant, and materials based on project requirements.
• Develop resource-loaded and cost-loaded schedules where required by contract or for internal forecasting.
• Liaise with procurement and plant departments to ensure timely delivery of construction resources.
• Provide forward resource requirements to support company-wide resource allocation.
• Analyse the impact of design changes, variations, and delays on project timelines.
• Support claim preparation through time-impact analysis and delay assessment.
• Maintain accurate records of all programme changes, updates, assumptions, and delay events.
• Assist in preparing Extension of Time submissions with supporting programme evidence.
• Identify programme risks early and work with teams to develop mitigation strategies.
• Prepare planning documentation including progress reports, look-ahead schedules, and recovery plans.
• Ensure planning documentation is filed, organised, and traceable for audit purposes.
• Provide input into monthly reporting cycles, project reviews, and management information.
• Develop and track Key Performance Indicators for production, progress, and forecasting.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Proven experience in planning within construction, civil engineering, or infrastructure projects.
• Proficiency in industry planning software (Asta Powerproject, Microsoft Project, or Primavera P6).
• Minimum 5 years' experience in civil engineering/construction environment.
• Understanding of construction methodology and sequencing for civil works.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• CSCS Card.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• General IT literacy including Microsoft Office suite.

Why choose a career at W M Donald? Since 1977, W M Donald has grown to be the leading civil engineering and construction company in the North-East and beyond. We’re not just offering jobs – we’re offering exciting opportunities for growth and development in a thriving and innovative company.